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.

Heads up everyone! If you are looking for a great renewal for your life, check into the special package the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and HIlton Branson Convention Center Hotel have to offer. I have told you about other packages available like the Great American Pie Show, and the golf and romance packages. Now, you can enjoy a special retreat in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The Young Christians’ Weekend, Mar. 27, 2009 – Mar. 29, 2009, will be the thrill of your life. You will find yourself absorbed as you enjoy singing and worshiping with likeminded vacationers.

The special package for The Young Christian’s Weekend includes accommodations for a family of four. Family of four is described as two adults and two children. Inspirational rallies will be held at Silver Dollar City. You may want to take in a couple of shows or go shopping at the outlet stores while in Branson. There is much to do. You may want to relax and enjoy a day at the spa. The Ozark Mountains have a way of penetrating your soul with their beauty. You can go for walks along the walking trails and even play a round of golf at one of the beautiful golf courses at Branson. Whatever you decide, a vacation in Branson is a memory you will want to repeat.

Are you into pie the way I am into pie? Some might call me addicted to sugar cream pie! I love it. My son found an easy recipe for sugar cream pie and makes it for me when he is home. He is a great kid! While sugar cream is my favorite, I enjoy fruit pies and banana cream pies too. Oh wait! We cannot forget peanut butter pie can we? Yep, I think addicted is a good word for me and my relationship with pie.

I recently discovered that the Great American Pie Contest will be held in Branson, Missouri this year. The dates are April 24-25. That would be a blast to attend. Al Roker, the famous weatherman for NBC will be there. I would love to get his autograph.

It is time to look into the great packages at the Hilton Promenade, Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Not only do they have great packages to attend the Great American Pie Contest but they also offer packages for sporting events, hobby events and many more. They are the choice of destination when visiting Branson. The choice of a relaxing vacation or one full of things to do makes their packages appealing to every traveler. By the way, this is the first year that the Branson Air Show will be held. I can think of several friends who would be interested in being in Branson for that. Pie nut, plane nut, Branson is the place to be.

My vacation day would be about perfect if I were to eat a healthy breakfast, walk around the outlet mall and attend the Great American Pie Contest! Branson has something for everyone.

We are supposed to have record breaking cold temperatures beginning tomorrow. I don’t know if I am ready. I want to escape!

I would love to visit Branson again. (That’s me in the photo above).

Branson is the entertainment capital of the Midwest and offers so many shops and boutiques that you can shop until you drop. There are as many restaurants that would enable you to visit a different one every day of the week. During the winter months, their Hilton Branson Escape Package offers many exciting programs that make winter a lot more inviting. The Polar Plunge is a great event that raises money for charity. I doubt I would participate in that but it sure would be fun to watch others plunging their warm bodies into freezing water in the name of charity.

The Winter Escape Package available at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel also offers a different type of art festival. Branson holds an Annual Ice Carving festival. I would love to see the beautiful sculptures that the artists produce. I have heard that they are amazing.

Although the events would be fun, I would be as happy to settle in at the Hilton Promenade and read a book. I love getting away and relaxing. Not having to cook is another lure for me. Branson has a beautiful river walk that is fun and lets everyone enjoy nature’s beauty. That’s the wonderful thing about Branson. You can be as busy as you want or relax in ways that fit your needs.

We enjoyed the holiday season by getting together with our family. It is becoming harder to do that though because our kids are beginning to move away from their home towns. I have been thinking about trying to get together in Tennessee or Ohio at a theme park or somewhere that offers different types of entertainment. I want to find a place that has something for everyone, old and young.

For the past few years, my mom has talked about going to Branson, Missouri. She has heard about the beautiful views and comfortable weather they have there. I have been there before and know she would love the shows. I still remember the look on my mother in-laws face when Andy Williams took her hand and sang directly to her. I didn’t think she would ever wash that hand. The shows are fabulous and are geared towards young and old alike. With 49 theaters, I think we can find something to see that suits us all.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is a terrific spot to book rooms for all of us. Their holiday packages make it most affordable to visit during the holiday season. It is within walking distance of all the shows and shopping areas. Because the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is in the heart of historic downtown Branson, it would give our history buffs a chance to satisfy their curiosity and still let us shoppers shop til we drop.

Branson is a wonderful vacation spot any time of the year.