Karen’s Opinion

Are you getting bored this summer? Would you like to take a family vacation that will take you back to the simple times? Visiting Branson is a fun way to enjoy spectacular shows like Presleys’ Country Jubilee. The Jubilee slapstick will have you laughing so hard, your sides will hurt. Folks, this is great family entertainment from the downright hilarious skits to the gospel influence.

Speaking of gospel entertainment, the 1st Annual Branson Gospel Music Convention, is coming to Branson July 14 to 17. The convention will be held at the Branson Convention Center, which is adjacent to the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Groups featured include The Blackwood Quartet, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Florida Boys, The Stamps, and The Paynes.

Perhaps golfing is your idea of relaxing vacation. You will be thrilled with the Payne Stewart Golf Course. The course is built with the features that exemplified Payne Stewart’s sense of humor, style and experiences. The course incorporates natural rock outcroppings, waterfalls and creeks and wooded areas into the design features. Widely known for his wardrobe of traditional golf knickers or plus fours and a tam o’ shanter cap, Payne Stewart was a champion and one of Missouri’s own. Tragically, his life was cut short when at the age of 42, Payne Stewart was killed in a plane crash.

A stay at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing will be one of pure enjoyment. You will be pampered and feel rested from your visits to shopping areas, nature hikes and the like. Let Branson be your vacation spot.

School is out for most of the kids in our county and it is time to start thinking about vacation plans. Every few years, we would try to plan a special vacation. By special I mean a vacation that was planned enough in advance that we could save money that enabled us to take said vacation. When my parents lived in California, we took the kids and traveled up highway 1 in my folk’s motorhome. We went to Monterey, San Francisco and even went as far north as the Redwood Forest. I will never forget the look on my kid’s faces when they saw those tall trees. That trip was worth every dime.

There are times when we are interested in a nice vacation that doesn’t require us to break the bank. That is when we think of Branson, Missouri. Now that our son and his future wife will be living in St. Louis, Branson will be even closer. The Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel are the best places to stay because you are pampered there. My dream of the perfect vacation is to enjoy the hot tub and have my bed made for me. That certainly happens in Branson!

There are so many things to do in Branson. There are shows that everyone enjoys and shopping for us gals. My husband even likes to shop in the outlet cooking stores. He is always searching for the perfect stock pot. If you are a golfer, you will love the challenge of Branson’s beautiful golf courses. From planned excursions to relaxing days beside the pool, Branson is an affordable vacation.

I am notorious for spotting famous people. I saw Ken Kercheval, Cliff Barnes from Dallas fame, at the Indianapolis airport. Sadly, I had to go potty and missed getting his autograph. If you are aware of my stomach issues, you know that when I say, I could not get his autograph and then relieve myself, I mean it. Darn IBS issues. Anyway, I did see him. Did you know that he successfully fought lung cancer in 1993, and had to have a significant portion of his lung removed, as a result of years of heavy smoking? I wonder what he has been up to lately.

When we travel to large cities like Los Angeles, Denver and Orlando, I am on the look out for celebrities. I have heard that there are celebrities who hang out in the Kissimmee, Florida area. Kissimmee is a wonderful vacation spot so it is no wonder that many celebrities have chosen the area not only as a vacation spot but have made it their home. Do you think that Kissimmee is where Mickey hides out when he is tired of the paparazzi?

Kissimmee is a wonderful place full of beautiful scenery, shopping and dining spots. Right now Kissimmee is holding a sweepstakes where you can win a wonderful getaway. Check out how you can win a wonderful vacation trip by visiting their website.

The website description of small-town charm, theme park thrills, outdoor adventures, challenging golf, tranquil beach landscapes has me chomping at the bit to get there. How about you?

Imagine yourself wearing shorts, drinking pina coladas, reading your favorite book and soaking up some sun. Does that sound like something you wish you could do? Well, you can stop wishing and make a visit to Kissimmee, Florida a reality when you sign up to win during the Kissimmee Freedom to Enjoy sweepstakes.

Any day of the year is a good day when you are in Kissimmee! Located just south of Orlando, you can be as busy as you want to be. You can spend your days at various theme parks or relax and enjoy the tranquility of a beautiful beach. Your choice of places to stay is as varied as the things to do once you get to Kissimmee. You may choose a rented vacation home where you can enjoy all the comforts of home or choose my favorite travel destination, a hotel with rooms set up as suites. I like having my bed made for me but the option to cook if I feel like doing so. The choices for vacation destinations in Kissimmee are so many, you might have trouble deciding which one is best for you!

Check out the Freedom to Enjoy sweepstakes to sign up for your chance to win. Drawings will be held on or around 6/1/09.

I am an idiot. I forgot to take my XShot camera extender with me when I went on vacation last week! Bonk on my head.

I was at the quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky and there were several occasions when we had to ask someone to take our picture in order to have us all in the shot. It was disappointing to get our pictures and find that our heads had been cut off in my favorite shot. Darn.