8th Combat Cargo Squadron Reunion in Branson (2002)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

You can read about our fun trip to Branson for another annual 8th Combat Cargo Grp. Squadron reunion from 10/12/02-10/18/02.  Great fun!

10-12-02 Pensacola – Pine Bluff, Ark.

We left home at 7:45, took I-10 to Mobile – beautiful pink + blue sky + mild temperature.

Took Rt. 65 around the city for short distance where we picked up Rt. 984 to Hattiesburg.  All the sunshine was replaced by light fog.

Took Rt. 40 to Jackson, the capital.  Improvement in scenery + lighter skies amid rolling hills.  The DeSoto National Forest covers a vast expanse of land + extends to Gulfport along the coast.

Took Rt. 20W to Vicksburg + had bright sunny skies – a pleasant drive.  At the Welcome Center we had cokes + got some coupons for the casino to use on our return trip.

We followed Rt. 65 to La. from Tallulah to the Ark. border, about 30 miles of cotton fields.  We stopped at the Welcome Center at beautiful Lake Village.  We saw numerous M.B. (Missionary Baptist) churches all along our way into Pine Bluff.

Dinner at the Red Lobster was interesting as was our accommodations at Comfort Inn.

Mileage 472 miles – 9 hrs driving.

10/13/02 Pine Bluff – Branson, Mo.

The next time we’re traveling, remind me not to have a 32 shrimp dinner!  Luckily the Immodiam did the trick + we had a good night’s rest after the noisy party next door quieted down.

We got on the road at 8:45 after a good continental breakfast.

There’s just a slight change of color in the leaves driving through the Ozarks.  Except for a short distance in the Little Rock area where we were on Rt. 40, we stayed on Rt. 65 into Branson, arriving at 1:45 after a clean Wendy’s lunch in Harrison.

It was so good seeing a lot of the people who didn’t make it last year come on board.

We car pooled for dinner at Fall Creek, a large restaurant which was not only good but fun.  Hot rolls were tossed at us as we were seated at long tables.

Played cards with the ladies + I was the big winner - $1.45.

Mileage – 698 mi. from Pensacola.

10/14/02 Branson

Enjoyed the full breakfast buffet here at the Welk.

Left for the IMAX theatre about 9:30.  It was an excellent film on Lewis + Clark.

Skipped lunch, had an apple in the room + took off at 3:15 for a dinner cruise in the Branson Bell.

The show and dinner were just great!  We took the Hs + Vs with us + we all sat close together at the theatre.  It seats 800 people + looked like a full house.  There were 50 of us from the squadron.

The ladies gathered for cards as usual + the men talked as usual.

10/15/02

Another beautiful day – breakfast at the Stage Door Canteen, then an outstanding show with the Lennen Brothers at the Stage Door Theatre.  We even toured back stage to see how the productions are made.

After dinner we saw the Welk Show featuring the Lennen Sisters.  Great show!!

Oct. 16, 2002 Branson

This was a great day!  After breakfast the bus picked us up for a tour of the city.  Branson is built on limestone rock as there is no sand + the rock is ground up for construction of homes + roads.

The first stop was at the College of the Ozarks or “Hard Work U.” where students work for room/board + tuition – no rich kids here.  We especially enjoyed the orchids!

Engler Black, an interesting antique + craft shopping area was the next stop + some of the guys went on to the Veterans Museum.  (I purchased some nice gifts.)

The Shoji Tabuchi Show was next on the schedule + a real treat for all of us – first class performance.  The orchids in the lavish restroom was beyond description.

We had a quick happy hour before going to dinner at the Stage Door Canteen in a private dining area.

The ladies played cards, the guys congregated + discussed next year’s reunion when we’ll be hosting in Pensacola again.

The weather was cold + now we’re packing up to head South!

Yeah!!

Oct. 17, 2002 Branson – Vicksburg

We left at 9:08 on Rt. 165-265 out of Branson.  At Harrison, Ark. we took the scenic route 7 through the Ozark National Forest, stopping south of Jasper to view the beautiful scenery.  We bought some honey + jam made by local people.

We just meandered the rest of the way through the forest, taking our time not interested in setting any speed records.

At Russellville we got on Rt. 40 following the Arkansas R. into N. Little Rock, the Little Rock + Pine Bluff on Rt. 65.  We followed this route to the La. border beautiful Lake Providence + on to Tallulah before crossing into Miss. across the mighty Miss.  We stopped at the Welcome Center for motel accommodations, but it was closed – 6 pm.  We took Exit 4 + checked motels – Comfort Inn (not too clean), Hampton Inn – no vacancy + then settled for a clean Motel 6 which will give us the comfort we need – we hope.

We tried a Wendy’s down the street + it was a disaster – gave us change for $10.00 + we gave her a $20 – quite a hassle, but we finally got the correct amt.

Mileage today – 425 miles, 9 hrs.

10/18/02 Vicksburg – Pensacola

Our night’s lodging at Motel 6 wasn’t the greatest, but we survived after being awakened at 3:00-3:30 am with rowdy people who came probably from one of the casinos remembering the slogan “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

No breakfast at the motel so we were on our way at 7:45.  Drove to Jackson where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast – the special – 2 eggs, bacon, sausage + ham, pancakes topped with apples + whipped cream.  That was the highlight of the day for the rest of the trip was uneventful.  It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 50’s early, then later 60’s + 70’s when we got home at 2:20, after 6-1.2 hrs of easy driving, taking turns from Vicksburg – Jackson – Hattiesburg (Rts 49 +98) to Mobile (Rts. 65 + I-10).

We got home around 2:30 after picking up tons of mail at the post office.  Now it’s time to start going through it.

The mileage on this trip was 722 miles – a little farther than going up because of the scenic route through the Ozarks on Rt. 7.