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[Injun Joe]

So I drove down the 7th of last month after having secured 2 nights at the Lodge at the Falls for a very low price.   I was a little worried at first,  but it turns out it was for naught,  as the property did a good job during my 2 nights.   Especially considering the rock bottom price I paid.  It was worth at least 20% more.  This place is right close to the new mountain coaster which was also to be closed for the exceedingly cold weather.   The Million Dollar Quartet at the Welk nearby sounded cool,  but there was no show that night.   I really figured I should go to Pressleys and Baldknobbers first since Ive never been to a show before on the strip, but it turns out I was just too tired from the drive and took a nap instead.    After waking, I settled on a late (8ish) dinner at Shorty Smalls.  Of course,  it was very slow,  but that just meant excellent service for me.   The catfish really is as good as they say and I ordered the special drink that was advertised on the table tent and let me tell you,  they made it great (meaning exceedingly stiff).

Afterwards, I decided to see if the wheel really was open.   It appeared so,  as it was turning,  and whaddya know,  it was.   They offered to send someone up with me, but the 2 guys minding the platform were already nearly frozen solid,  so I braved it myself.   I had the entire wheel to myself.   Awesome.  Thankfully the wind was not blowing.   I started getting queasy before even half way up although it settled by the time I got to the top.   I never moved one muscle of my bottom though.  Somewhat surprisingly,  the nighttime view from the top really didn't strike me as being all that different from the one I remember just up the street at the corner where there used to be a smoke tower during my youth that you could put a quarter in a slot to gain entry to.  Unfortunately,  inflation has made the cost of the view much more,  but I didn't feel fleeced.   Next time,... helicopter tour.  Roger that, Charlie Branson.

The next morning,  I opted for the free breakfast at the Lodge, which was a fine choice,  and the choice of many other guests.   It was actually a little better than any of the ones Ive paid more for.

Next stop: the 11am IMAX showing of Ozarks Legends and Legacy. Or is it the other way around.   Either way, if you, like myself previously,  have never seen this, now is the time,  as according to my usher,  they only just recently remodeled,  and it really showed.   I thought Id been to a couple of modern IMAXs (Regency St Louis Outlet Mall (fka Mills), Ronnies in SoCo St Louis), but this one blows those to hookah bits.  Now, I did spring for the 20$ premium ticket and will do so again and recommend you do the same,  as the electric plush recliners are fantastically swell.  The movie itself was very good,  but I wish during the big chase,  they'da used a right proper jug for the bass instead of the damned cannon they went for.  What in Sam's hill was that all about!?  I guess they wanted to show off their speakers,  but they nearly punctured my drums.  And it's bluegrass:  it's just supposed to be a jug,  or an upright even.   The film is not feature length either,  so there's that.  But all in all,  I loved it.  I'm going to visit again and see another IMAX feature there in the future I hope    The shopping at the facility was pretty darn good too.  I picked up a new wallet for myself,  which I'm using now, and a really cool framed 3d picture of running horses for my sister.   They're jumping right out of the frame! No glasses required!  Science.  The Little Opry live theater was doing a brisk business early I noticed when the movie let out.

Then I did a meandering detour to SDC, my time at which you can read about in the trip report thread if you wish and haven't already.   After leaving SDC at 9, I took a drive downtown to see what I could see and get ideas for my next visit, hopefully this summer or fall.   I plan to hit up Holiday World first thing this Spring though, as I've never been and it's much closer to my current location. I'll be sure and let you know what I think.   I've heard they have a nice trio of woodies.

Friday was spent in Springfield, on business,  the purpose of this trip.   I did manage to check out Fantastic Beasts in 3d at the nice College Station theater in downtown, and ate dinner at Zia's, which was merely OK itself,  but made great by being in the company of rarely seen family. I spent the night at the Greenstay which came highly recommended and with good reason.

In conclusion,  I had another great trip in SW MO and can't wait to return.  I'm already plotting ways to make the stay longer,  hopefully 3 full days.  Hopefully, I have a laptop by then,  because entering this on my phone, even the swell phone that it is,  is tiresome for someone as notoriously long winded as myself.   

[sanddunerider]

Nice,  sounds like my weekends there, I do so much more than just SDC...  in fact I see more movies in Branson in than I do at home...  LOL