Write On!

              10 were all back on the bus, Jim came on again and thanked us all for corning. Now, that's our kind of guy! Before going back to the motel, John took us on a tour through the Festival of Lights. Corning back, he sort of lost his way, so we joked about touring Branson streets in the dark. Actually, we had lots of fun and many laughs during the trip. Wednesday, November 3, everybody was up early. This would be our last continental breakfast at JR's. We were all on the bus and ready to go before 8:00 a.m., except for two people. Rose Mack was at the hospital. Her daughter, Connie, was staying with her and they would fly home when Rosie was ready and able. This morning, as the bus was leaving Branson, nearly everyone seemed to be having a nap. It was a dreary, rainy morning. We stopped at McDonalds in Carthage at 9:00 a.m. for a pit stop and snacks. It seems that some didn't have time for breakfast in their excitement to be heading home. With all the rain, even our bus, new as it was, decided to spring a few leaks. Now that everyone was awake, Jo gave us a word ,game to do; the winner had 23 out of 25 correct. We were heading out of the rain and the landscape was nice and green. Lunch break was at Flying 1's in Peculiar. Our afternoon pit stop was at the Platte rest area truck stop. We were treated to home-baked cookies, juice and water; a most enjoyable little picnic. This would be our last one for this trip and, likely, the year. As soon as we got going, Doug and Pauline got out their guitar and song books We had a great sing-a-long. I overheard someone say, "Just three more sleeps and we will be home." We got to our hotel, the Days Inn at Council Bluff, about 5:30 p.m. Fred announced that the bus would be going to Harrah's Casino, shortly. We could have supper there at a ten percent discount. At 8:30 p.m., the bus would be going back to the motel. Anyone wanting to stay longer would be on their own. There was so much walking to get to any place in this casino that I didn't really like it. We enjoyed having a coffee maker in our room again. Thursday, November 4, after our continental breakfast, we were on the bus by 8:00 a.m. Everyone seemed very cheerful this morning. Someone had an Allen Edwards tape and gave it to Jo to play for us. For awhile, it seemed like we were back in Branson. Our first coffee stop today was a truck stop at Vermilion. We weren't hungry yet but it was nice to get off and walk a bit. It was fairly windy today. John said it was hard, driving. We saw