Karen’s Opinion

We found a terrific way to beat the heat while traveling on our way home from visiting Branson, Missouri. We took a tour of the Meramec Caverns near Stanton Missouri. The temperature of the cave is a constant 58 degrees. Did you know that Missouri is home to more than 6,000 surveyed caves? Well, it is and we visited just one of them.

Meramec Caverns is open every day of the year and is very affordable. We saved a few dollars by using coupons we found in a pamphlet at the hotel. Free kennels are available for your pets.

The paths we walked on were very well lit and our guide was very informative. I wouldn’t recommend this tour if you have trouble walking. There is one part of the tour where we had to climb 57 steps. That part of the tour is optional but I recommend the climb because the prize at the top of the stairs is awesome. The ancient limestone “Wine Table” formation is only found at Meramec Caverns and in Italy. I can’t remember what our guide said that made this formation unusual. Something about being in water and 4 legs. Can anyone fill me in on this?

Artifacts traceable to the infamous Jesse James were found in the cave. It is said that Jesse James used the cave as a hideout when running from the law.

from the official Meramec Caverns website:

In the summer of 1941, Missouri was in the midst of a rather severe drought. A drought so intense, it not only dropped the rivers and streams above ground, but the water table itself also depleted. At that time, the main level of Meramec Caverns seemed to ‘dead end’ at a wall with a small pool of water spilling out below. With the drop of the water table, the pool of water below the wall receded nearly six inches and allowed a cool, breeze to push into the cave between the wall’s bottom and top of the water. Les Dill was alerted of this change by his cave guides, and, being the adventurous man he was, Dill elected to go under the wall, through the water, and see what was on the other side. Once past the wall, Les was opened to yet another large area of branching networks…even more cave. It was here, too, Les found the artifacts traceable to the infamous Jesse James and the cave was dubbed ‘Jesse James Hideout’.

The Meramec website states that evidence of Jesse and Frank James using the cavern as a hideout consists of sheriffs reports, eye witness accounts, and physical material found inside the cave. Among the artifacts found inside the cave (at Loot Rock) were strong boxes traceable to the train robbery at Gadshill, MO, rifles, and shackles. We were able to see some of these artifacts! I don’t know why I am excited over seeing evidence. It makes me uncomfortable that so much hoopla is made over a law breaker.

A nice, albeit cheesy, tribute is given as a slide-projected American flag appears on the limestone curtain in the theatre room and Kate Smith belts out “God Bless America”.

70 feet high, 60 feet wide and 35 feet thick Theatre Room
Meramec Caverns were introduced to the public as a tourist attraction in 1935 by Lester B. Dill. He is the guy who invented the bumper sticker as a means of promoting the caverns!

I have been to a few tourist attractions that encouraged everyone to “Ride the Ducks”. I never had the chance to ride the ducks until we visited Branson last week. I highly recommend the adventure. Riding the duck was a great way to learn a bit of history about Branson and about the ducks. We were also treated to a little relief from the 98 degree temperatures as we traveled down the streets and country roads of Branson. With the wind blowing our hair, the duck plunged into the beautiful waters of Table Rock lake.

The showboat, Branson Belle, was waiting along the shore of Table Rock lake.
She would soon fill up with tourists anxious to be entertained by the six-member all-male vocal group The ShowMen!


I was not compensated in any way to talk about these fun sight-seeing adventures.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Okay, we have approximately 6 inches of snow on the ground, traffic is slowed and school has been canceled. I am inside going stir crazy. All I want to do is sleep. I have an idea to remedy this situation. If I am going to be where it snows, I’ll go to Branson where I can sit in a hot tub, visit and eat at beautiful restaurants and be entertained by famous entertainers each night.

Because I write reviews for my blog, I have done research on places to stay and still think that the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is my favorite for hospitality. The Hilton Promenade and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel both feature the best of the best when it comes to quality rooms, location and amenities.

During the summer months, guests can find plenty to do by participating in outdoor activities such as visiting the arts and crafts shops, hiking, and many other interesting activities that the whole family can enjoy. Amazingly, Branson is a fun place to be during the winter months too. I say amazingly because it is hard for me to imagine being anywhere and enjoying snow. LOL I think I might get an attitude adjustment in Branson. Just take me to the spa and watch me smile.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

My dream of the Norman Rockwell Christmas would begin with a stay in the Ozark Mountains. While I doubt the weather in December would be suited for popular Ozark sports like caving and trout fishing, the beauty of being in the mountains would draw me in. I can imagine my family sitting in front of a big stone fireplace at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing.

This beautiful hotel complex offers the relaxing yet exciting and fun getaway most of us enjoy. I love the outlet shopping available in the shopping district and of course, the shows are fantastic. You can be as mobile as you want to be when you vacation in Branson. Personally, I would love to lounge around, read a book or get a fabulous spa treatment at Aspire Medical Spa.

Running through Dec 23, the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing are offering special holiday packages that include milk and cookies and story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Can you imagine the fun of experiencing these fun getaways? Can you see the looks on a young child’s face? Check out these special offerings and give your family a memory that will last a lifetime.

I just read on someone’s blog that there are only 85 days left until Christmas! E gads, that is a short amount of time. I am just getting out my fall decorations and putting the fourth of July patriotic stuff away. I don’t even want to think about shopping for Christmas gifts! Thank goodness, we have been invited to our son and daughter in-law’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.

I never have felt comfortable fixing Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many dishes that are sentimental to me for that dinner. I always think I have to have a turkey, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie. They are all dishes that take a while to make. I want to buy them ahead and feel relaxed at dinner. Instead, I find myself stressed because I don’t know if I am making things the way they should be made. Understand?

I would love to take advantage of the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel‘s Cooking School Weekend. Can you imagine how much fun and informative that weekend would be? Hilton’s chef, Chef Nathan Read, will be giving a cooking demonstration. The schooling also includes learning how to cook a lavish four-course dinner and how to match up wines to the dishes served. This type of instruction would certainly give me the confidence needed to cook a holiday dinner.

This would be a great package for hubby and I to take advantage of. For one thing, we need a getaway. For another, the school will be held October 16th and 17th, which is the most beautiful time to visit Branson. The cost of just $398.00 plus tax is certainly reasonable for such deluxe accommodations. I am going to research this a bit more! You should take a look at this great package!