Branson Part Two

27 April, 2014

Today was wet and dreary day. Cool, misty, showers, thunderstorms and just plain icky. However, it did warm up a little and the sky cleared some and the wind died down. We went to  the "Showboat Branson Belle" for a dinner, cruise on Table Rock Lake, and entertainment . The boat is 278' long and 78' at the beam (width), 2 twin paddle wheels power it with a 7-1/2 ' draft.. When it was launched after being built at a lakeside shipyard, they used bananas for a lubricant to slide down the waves. Bananas? Yep! Had to be environmentally friendly while preserving the lake. The captains wheel was restored  from the C.C. Slider,  which operated from 1928-1952. It is 10' 2 "and  is of solid Maple and is 10' 2" in diameter.The paddle wheels (2) are 16' across (each) and 27" in diameter.

Showboat gift shop

Showboat  entry

                                                          The Branson Belle

                                                       The steamboat Caliape

Starboard Paddle

The Branson Belle lobby

  Table Rock Lake is an artificial lake  or reservoir created in the Ozarks with the completion of Table Rock Dam on the White River (fed by the King River and James River) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in  1954-1958. It spans from Southwestern Missouri into Northwestern Arkansas. It took 2 years  to completely fill it after completion and  first flooding.

Table Rock Lake

Hotel

                               Road over dam ( gates)
The entertainment started out hosted by Christopher James, (stage name, not related), comedian and magician. He had audience participation to help perform several illusions and tricks before a short break and dinner being served. An all-male vocal  group called "The Showmen" sang a medley of old songs  that were made popular by the "Platters" and some "Motown" singers.  

                               Christopher James & girl from audience
 Janice Martin, the worlds only aerial violin player, played and sang solos of American Patriotic songs and performed on two scarfs while playing the violin. Really an outstanding performance. She also performed on the piano.

                                                           Janice Martin

                                           Grand finale
The Rockin Dockers, the Showboat's signature live band provided all the background music and provided dinner music. All the performers sang some patriotic songs since the theme was "Made in the USA".

                                                     The Showmen

Showmen

                                          A new friend, Gloria,from CA

After the show we drove around and took a few more photos of the original (the riverside area, completely razed and rebuilt from the $$$ days) city/town of Branson.

                                                              Branson Scenic Railroad

                                     Main Street in Old Branson

                                                    New Riverside City Park

                                          Riverside Walking mall (about 4 blocks long)