Yes, it was that tall. 230 feet. But we all managed to survive the climb without losing our lunch. 'Glad to get back down to earth, tho'.
It was a hazy evening in Branson, Missouri, but the view was impressive, if not completely inspiring, from the top of Inspiration Tower.
The entrance to the Inspiration Tower at Shepherd of the Hills and gift shop, where 100% of the inventory has to do with Jesus - bobblehead dashboard Jesus, Jesus refrigerator magnets, etc. More on this later.
For the first toast to the happy couple - as a nod to our location in the Ozark hill country - every family member inserted plastic "hillbilly teeth" before raising our glasses with a hearty "Cheers!" We thought this was hilarious, of course, but it got funnier as the night - and toasts - progressed. Here is the bride, bride's daughter, and groom mugging it up with their own hillbilly teeth. Aren't they a beautiful family?
In the corner of the aforementioned gift shop - filled with Jesus bobbleheads, crucifix-embroidered tea towels and Shepherd of the Hills shot glasses - sits a chair I found incongruous, yet irresistible. All you have to do to "test your passion factor" is sit on the thing, insert 50 cents and let the chair gauge your hotness. Only in Branson...
Chateau on the Lake, wedding headquarters. Nice place, except for the birds - caged in the lobby - that chirped all day, making it impossible to nap.
Just one of the approximately 1300 music show billboards in Branson. I like this one for its simple, multigenerational message.
Saturday's "booze cruise" on a rented pontoon boat comes to a screeching halt when the boat stalls in the middle of lake. We were rescued by the boy who looks like he's going overboard in the back. He eventually had to tow us in.
Go-carts are so five minutes ago. Here's a sign that promises excitement you can feel at a new Segway track, located along the Branson strip.
Sadly, Segway's idea of "excitement" is gliding at approximately 2 miles per hour. I so wish I would've thought to shoot video but, believe me, these thrill-seekers are barely moving. Hilarious.