We toured St. Lewis. Found it to be fine, but unremarkable. The Arch is quite impressive and larger than we had pictured. The levees and flood doors are interesting!

We have worked our way South into the Ozarks. It is a hilly region in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. There are lots of trees, few evergreens. Most are oaks and others that turn rather brown in the fall and not the bright reds and golds of the maples or others. This is hillbilly country and there are names such as "Moonshine Beach"! We have gone up and down through the same 400 feet of elevation countless times.

Spent 3 days in Branson, MO. It is quite the entertainment area with all kinds of shows that are largely country western. It is family entertainment with shows all day long, including many for breakfast. There are Elvis impersonators, 50s reviews, Roy Rogers, Jr., Andy Williams, Charo, Mickey Gilley, Mel Tillis, etc. Some of the entertainers have built their own venues so they can establish themselves in the area. The town is very hilly and is also along a lake. The theaters and hotels are spread out and up the valleys and sometimes the steep hillsides. We wanted to go on a "Showboat" lunch cruise, but unfortunately the boat had a mechanical problem and a part is being airlifted from Europe, but the show takes place at the dock for 3 days. We opted to skip it as the lake cruise on a sternwheeler was what we were looking forward to. (We have tried to ride an actual sternwheeler several times along the Mississippi, but seem to get thwarted at every turn.) Went instead to a Broadway review which was quite entertaining. The host was Merril Osmund, who was lots of fun. The singing was excellent and it was a great sampling of favorites with some fun dance numbers. Show, food and lodging prices are reasonable. We are in a very nice resort where a beautiful indoor pool is actually open - Linda is thrilled.