Oh Si! #BloggingBranson Bye Bye Branson- For Now. #hosted

 Babushka was hosted by #BloggingBranson to see the many maravillas for familias it has to offer.

  The series of posts are BB’s honest opinions and views.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

So, "tell me how you feel about a place without telling me how you feel about a place."

That foto says it all.

Our last day in Branson, MO. 

 Time to gather the memories and souvenirs. 

To make sure todo we want to take back is packed away- at least in our recuerdos.

BYE BYE BRANSON...

pero first, 

BREAKFAST!!

Oh how we were going to miss this....

Actualmente, we were going to miss our Castle Casita mucho.

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

Es cute, quirky, a timeless beauty that doesn't take itself too seriously, but knows its worth and is happy and comfortable in its being. Welcoming all with amor and simple sincerity. Sounds familiar verdad?  Si Beautifuls, if there ever was a true kindred spirit, this palacio is BB's place.

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

The Beautifuls de #BloggingBranson had arranged a visita with The Track Family Fun Parks that Babushka had saved 'till the ultimo dia.  As soon as she saw that ferris wheel and the montañas surrounding us she knew that was how she wanted to end this trip. 

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A post shared by Bohemian Babushka (@bbabushka)

The Family Fun Tracks  a fun place whether you play or just watch. 

Perfecto for the intergenerational trip de familia!!

Feibu https://www.facebook.com/bransontracks

Tweety https://twitter.com/bransontracks

IGrammy https://www.instagram.com/bransontracks/

BB's trip to Branson, MO.  And for those that didn't see the other places, a quick resumen-

 Clay Cooper's Country Express

A perfect intro to the marvelous musica and musical talento in Branson.  Clay is a natural entertainer who clearly loves the audience, what he does, and his talented familia- who join him on stage! An all around people pleasing party.

 Legends in Concert 

The Greats done justice by great impersonators. Whether you remember the originals or are seeing them for the first time, you'll see what made them legends via these performances.  The voices, the moves, the essence of the past are performed with respect and real love, and you'll love the show. Shows why the legends deserve their own living legacy.

 Mansion of Dreams- Rick Thomas

They say Rick Thomas is a Master Illusionist, when in actuality, he's a Master Showman.

Way past "magic tricks", these are most assuredly illusions, although many a time Babushka was left wondering, but one thing no one questioned was the way he twirled story and mystery with bits of humor or playful banter.  When bordering on macabre, merriment would find its way into fun, a joy for the whole familia!

 Hughes Brothers Country

Babushka would love to go to their family reunions! Actually, when you watch the Hughes Brothers perform, you feel like you are in a family reunion.  It's so easy to get caught up in their brotherly banter and jabs. It's also easy to get caught up by their talent, harmony done with heart and perfection.  The love of performing and each other is obvious, as is the reason they've been performing for over 30 years together. Heartfelt horas worth sharing. 

 The Haygoods

Wow and Woah. That's what y'all are going to be saying during and after el show de The Haygoods.

A family of 5 brothers, one sister, with their own take on music, dancing and performing which will take your breath away. Ranging from pyrotechnics to party, humor to harp, tap dancing to toe tapping, this familia leaves no doubt as to why they've been performing for over 28 years. All ages, all gustos will enjoy este!

 Beyond the Lens/ FlyRide

This one isn't a "show" perse Beautifuls, unless you make it into one. Si, this is a totally interactive, submersive you get out of it what you put in kinda place y BB LOVED IT!!!  Plan at least half a dia for this and prepare to be amazed, amused and astounded by all you can do, play and learn here. One big building for all kinds of fun que the whole familia will enjoy. Definitivamente a DO in Branson MO.

If you'd like a more detailed descripcion, here are the posts per day:

Dia 1 - Oh Si! #BloggingBranson Baby!!

Dia 2 - Oh Si! #BloggingBranson Baby!!

Dia 3 - Oh Si! #BloggingBranson Baby!!

So Beautifuls, what's BB's verdict on Branson MO as a place to visit?

Branson is a place for families; establishments are owned and run by families, not big corporations. A little piece of the US that is big on pride and gratitude. Where God, Familia and Country are celebrated in every show and all are welcomed. Here are the big shows of Vegas and Orlando, without the casinos or chaos. This is Branson, Missouri, and this is a place BB looks forward to visiting again.

BB2U

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 3 Stone Castle, FlyRide, Hughes Brothers Country, The Haygoods

Babushka, her Little One, and Sweetie were guests in Branson, MO .  

Hosted via #BloggingBranson , we saw many of its maravillas.  

These are some of our opinions and observations...

Flyride, Hughes Brothers Country, The Haygoods, Stone Castle
#BloggingBranson #hosted

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
Ok, Ok, Si, the collage is a bit busy, but then again, so were we!!!
The fabuloso friends of #BloggingBranson had our plates full on this final dia.
Y speaking of full plates...

Stone Castle Breakfast Buffet
Sweetie's Happy Face, the only reason he'd get up early. A good breakfast.

Fully rested and knowing he was going to have a good desayuno, Sweetie was ready for his two servings of breakfast. They switch up the types of fresh fruit and fresh baked muffins, pero the main elementos of scrambled eggs, country gravy, sausage, biscuits, waffles, cereals and coffee were the same. Delicioso. So just one go round?  JU SO FONII!!  Especially since today he was going to play catch up on missed activities. 

Beyond the Lens Branson

And catch up he did!! We went back to Beyond the Lens because we knew he'd love it. (ok, because we wanted to do some things again too.) Naturally he had to take pics with the alien and Big Foot, play virtual, electronic basketball (had to drag him from that one), pose in the GI Joe box, play some Skeeball, read EVERY SINGLE Kennedy conspiracy, took in the simulated oval office and sat in the president;s chair.  We had to rush him a bit at the end, porque although it was in the same edificio, we had an appointment to go on FLYRIDE, and BB was not about to miss out on that! 

FLYRIDE

Although, looking at this picture you might think otherwise...

What you see Sweetie hanging onto is a pic of the seats used in the ride. They move and help simulate flight through different regions. Along with air currents, water spray and sound, you truly do feel as if on a magic carpet in faraway places. So realistic que BB is rethinking the rapid water rafting item on her bucket list... Seriously, this ride is worth signing up for and glad Sweetie took his Dramamine. It's very well done.

And speaking of well done, a show that has held it's own for years...

Hughes Brothers Country

 “It’s good ol’ Country & Western music, with a tad of Doo-Wop, Patriotic and Gospel mixed in.  Expect Country Music past, present, and way cool.  Everything from Ghost Riders in the Sky and Johnny Cash to Aaron Tippin and Diamond Rio. 

 The harmonies this band of brothers produces are a treasure richer than all the gold in California."

And they ain't just whistlin' La Guantanamera Beautifuls!

True to life hermanos, they have been performing together since childhood and it shows.  The good natured jokes and jabs, it's like being in a family reunion- of a very talented familia. BB can just see them as niños...

Little One was most amused and amazed by the bagpipes...

 The years have their timing and tuning down to a T, the harmony impressive and at times hair raising at the perfection.  A not so simple talent that is truly a gift. 

Ask them what the gift is and they share it's God, Familia and Country. 

As Babushka said Beautifuls, it's like being in a family reunion. 

Y speaking of family reunions, Cubanos are known for their "cajitas" of food in fiestas. That's where the finger foods are served in individual boxes so they'll be protected from the elements, distributed evenly, and be easier to take home.  BB uses this to explain why she didn't partake of the included BBQ; we were waiting to be served during intermission. Apparently it was served before the show. We saw the ends of it when we came in, but we figured halftime so everyone stays...

Oh well, barriga empty pero corazon lleno.  It's a show worth seeing, even without the food. And from Babushka, you know that means mucho.

Hughes Brothers Country Show
Feibu Hughes Brothers Theatre
IGrammy the_Hughes

If the Hughes are the understated downhome family, the Haygoods are completamente opposite!  This familia of 5 hermanos and one sister got their start listening to their padre's 60's lp records and remastering them acoustically. And Babushka does mean master them Beautifuls! Raised in the Ozarks they share their downhome roots, but in no way are they understated.

What they are is very talented, in many ways and on many diferente instrumentos!

 Oh, and mountain does not mean not modern. Miren pa' esto- 

Performing Beyonce

They sing, play instruments, tap dance, pero of course they play to an almost capacity theater every time!! Ya figure, to have a favorite show for 28 years, they gotta be doing algo right. Don't pass up this one if you want to be energized and entertained at the same time.  Amazing the variety of songs they cover in their style and they do it so well!! BB garantia that everyone will leave hablando and happy.

The Haygoods   https://thehaygoods.com/

Tweety https://twitter.com/the_haygoods

Feibu https://www.facebook.com/TheHaygoods

IGrammy https://www.instagram.com/thehaygoods/

What a dia Beautifuls! 

Cansada pero Contenta, we headed back to our Castle Casita.

One more noche in the mountains, enjoying todo and feeling blessed.

Hasta Mañana, 

BB2U

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 2- Stone Castle Hotel, Beyond the Lens, Legends in Concert, Rick Thomas Illusionist

 This is a hosted fam trip to Branson MO, #BloggingBranson.

Opinions shared are Babushka's. But if you go there, they'd be yours too.  😉

Legends in Concert, Rick Thomas, Illusionist, Beyond the Lens

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Ctr.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Feliz and ready to start day 2 of our #BloggingBranson adventure, we made our way to breakfast.  Desayuno is included in the hotel stay, and is served from 6 - 9 am everyday.  It's an interesting set up actually.  There are tres buildings that comprise the Stone Castle Hotel, connected by covered walkways. Little confusing the first time out, pero after that your tummy leads you. 

Down home cooking is DELICIOSO!! And the vista is too.  We enjoyed our desayuno of sausage patties, bread, scrambled eggs, country gravy, muffins, butter, juice, and coffee. Of course coffee. It's a special blend and Sweetie and BB had seconds. Actualmente, we had seconds of everything we tried. Sweetie filled up so much that he decided to go back to bed! So off to discover Branson went BB and Little One, a lovely mother-daughter time.

We drove around Branson Missouri to see the strip. And boy is there a lot to see!!

  Little One and BB decided to visit Beyond the Lens porque it seemed so interesante.

Beyond the Lens, Bronson MO

Epic proportions for an epic exhibit of soooo many American memories! The entrada gives a good indication, grande and airy, at times a bit scary. Ya veran, you'll see what Babushka means...

Big Foot w/ BB

They have "TECHNO-TAINMENT" that'll have you there all day!! BB's not much for a virtual mundo, but this one was definitely worth going into.  Matter of fact, we visited again the next day with Sweetie because we knew he'd enjoy it as much as we did. Moments in American history, Pop Culture, Aliens, Big Foot, interactive exhibits, so much pa' cer Beautifuls! A definite place to enjoy con familia and we could have continued, pero it was time to pick up Sweetie to go to a show. Will share more about Beyond the Lens in the next post, but pictured are just some of the highlights the whole family will enjoy. 

Feibu Beyond the Lens Branson

IGrammy Beyond the lens attractions

Legends in Concert. Now what kind of entertainment strip would it be without celebrity imitators? Bueno, Branson definitivamente has some of the best. This is such an interesting and fun way to introduce and reminisce. For her part, now after watching "The Blues Brothers" on stage, BB wants to see some of the original films, and remembered fondly Mama's love of The Tempations and Elvis. A wonderful time was had by everyone in the theater. 

Feibu  https://www.facebook.com/LegendsInConcert

Tweety  https://twitter.com/LegendsBranson

IGrammy  https://www.instagram.com/legendsinconcertbranson/

The final show of the day was Rick Thomas's Mansion of Dreams.

 An award winning illusionist, he performed 15 years on the Vegas strip and now calls Branson home.

And what a casa it is Beautifuls!

The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre is spectacular. It truly shows the classy, simple elegance that was Andy Williams' style y persona. Just being there made Babushka nostalgic and so glad this teatro was still in existence.  

And not only is it in existence, it is currently magical, inside y out.

To be honesta, the scenery was mysterious and on the verge of macabre, pero  magical it was for sure.  The show just took you into another world with wonders and wizardry, pero before you got too swept away, the "real mundo" was given credo too.  Rick brought children onstage to participate and lighten the air, and then adults were brought up to entertain from the audience tambien! Si, a family show, not only by audience participation, but as most shows in Branson, it was a family show,  as Thomas' wife and fur babies were major elements. For BB, that is what real magic is.  Go, you'll be enchanted.

Feibu  https://www.facebook.com/rickthomasmagic

Tweety  https://twitter.com/rickthomasmagic

Enchanted, Encantados, that's what we were/are with Branson. 

To our casita in the castle, to rest y mimir feliz, looking forward to the next dia.

BB2U

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 1- Stone Castle & Clay Cooper

Babushka was given hotel and show tickets for the following series - #BloggingBranson.

The opinions are mine, Sweetie, and Little One's.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

This blog post was years in the making, or mejor dicho, the actual #BloggingBranson trip has been.  First the dates didn't work, then Covid, pero finalmente Sweetie, BB, and the Little One were able to go.  Was it worth the wait?  JU SO FONII!!  Let Babushka share some of the many maravillas de Missouri- Branson.

What a welcome sight after 2 days of traveling!!

 Impressive yet homey at the same time.

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Ctr.

 

The lobby is a perfect clue of a hotel. Of another era, quirky and cool.

Sooooo BB.

Quirky, cool, and with a sense of humor. Es Babushka or what??

Themed rooms are available for those with kids, or those who are kids at heart.

https://bransonstonecastle.com/accommodations/unique-rooms/

Clean and comfy, amplio space w/microwave and fridge.

You can't ask for more Beautifuls!

Pero as tempting as just staying in the room was after the trip, we were eager to see what #BloggingBranson had to show. We had entradas to  Clay Cooper's Country Express and weren't about to miss it!

Beautifuls, what you see is what you get and mas!!

 If you think being from The South means being slow, then you have to come see este hombre. 

Quick witted y comico, he had great audience repartee and showmanship. He also has great talent, pero most of all, he loves to showoff his familia, and you KNOW that is an A+++ in BB's ojos.  

A variety family show truly worth attending.

Feibu @claycoopertheatrebranson

Tweety @CCoopertheatre

IGrammy @claycoopertheatre

Tired but very feliz, we went back to our room. The first dia was a perfecto indication of what was to come. Down home, old fashioned hospitality and entertainment. Babushka has no problema with that.

BB2U

Spectacular #ChristmasBricktacular Making Forever Family Memories w/ @LegolandFlorida & @Redcoachusa #hosted

The trip via RedCoach and the entrances to Legoland Florida were hosted. 

The smiles and great tiempo was BB's and her Bunch.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

If y'all have been bailando with Babushka you know FAMILIA IS TODO.  Family bonding is sumamente importante and BB tries to facilitate it as much as she can. It can definitely be challenging, especially when half of  The Grands live in Miami and the other half live Up North in The South near Babushka.  Now the older Grands have no problem with the bonding and having great memories of cousin time because they all lived in Miami when they were younger and grew up together, but the two little ones, Dr. J and Laughing Buddha are growing up far away from each other. OJO- growing up far away does not have to equal growing apart, at least not if this Groovy Grandma has any choice in the matter. 

Enter the S Sisters with an invite from Legoland Florida for la familia to join them in their first ever, CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR!!

Legoland Florida Christmas Bricktacular

Babushka pass up that invite?  JU SO FONII!!

  Enseguida, right away the email was made to the Remarkable RedCoach luxury bus and the trip itinerary was all done. Time for Cousin Conocimiento with some Babushka Bonding thrown in too. 

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Grands #5, Dr. J, enjoying his first solo ride with #grandmother BB. Just like his siblings, ❤ "The Big Red Bus". Beautifuls, @redcoachusa really is the best for #FloridaTravel. 15% off fare for children under 12!! No stress, relaxing bonding time. #hosted but #fromtheheart

A post shared by Bohemian Babushka (@bbabushka) on Nov 30, 2018 at 12:25pm PST

If you read the above caption, you'll see that this is the first solo ride Dr.J has taken on the Redcoach with BB. He was encantado, didn't even use the iPad the whole trip. He truly enjoyed the actual viaje and experience. Pretty cool for a 4 year old. We had conversations and observations durante those 4 hours. Again, Pretty Cool for a 4 year old.

Arriving at the Orlando Station, we waited for DIL and Laughing Buddha. Quee?? You thought BB was going to go sola with The Little Grands? Beautifuls, BB stands for Bohemian Babushka, not BoBa. She picked us up and we stayed at her friend's casa, the founder of the Kai Jeremiah Foundation. Babushka will definitely be sharing more about that organization in the near futuro. Pero for now, we got the little ones to bed for the next days aventura.

Oh the squeals of joy when they saw this!!

Got his very own ticket. NOW he's feeling cool and grown up.

A Comenzar the Fun!!

BB got some abuela time in and  fun was had by all, pero the most importante, 

the primos partnered in many memorias. Mission Accomplished.

Now time to go back on RedCoach.

Dr. J looking forward to another ride on "The Big Red Bus".

Until he realized we were going back to casa.

Honestamente, BB can't blame him. We had an incredible time at Legoland.  

With a promise of coming back again, he settled in and enjoyed his trip back to Babushka's.

  

Beautifuls, this is the last finde for the Christmas Bricktacular. BUENISIMO.

 Make a point to visit, and make Forever Family Memorias. 

Have a Very Meri Crisma!!

BB2U