The Night We Took the Scenic Route and Then Some

 Lost, Laughing, and Loving every Minute: Our Branson Adventure!!

You Know that saying "it's not the destination, it's the journey?"  Well, whoever said that must've taken the same road we did to see the Christmas lights at Cedar Lodge....BECAUSE our "journey" turned into one wild country adventure.  

It all started out simple enough.  We had our tickets (for 6:20) ... our GPS set, and our winter gear packed like we were heading to the North Pole.  Coats, earmuffs, gloves, and enough blankets to open our own bedding department.  The temperature was around 35 but the wind was blowing...which made it even cooler.  We were so excited to  hop on that Christmas tram and take in the beautiful lights!

The GPS said it was only 27 miles away.  Easy, right? Oh, Bless our hearts...  27 miles PLUS.

Off we went...driving up and down winding country roads (in the dark) that looked like they were made by someone who just really enjoyed making a lot of sharp turns.  Deer were practically posing for us in the headlights (Two huge bucks) and I honestly was convinced that we had somehow become the main characters in a new Hallmark movie.

Could this be another "National Lampoon Christmas?"

 

We simply could not find the place!!  GPS said we were there, but yet, there was NO There!!  Finally, we spotted a sign that said Service Road.  Now, most people would not have taken that as a warning that you are not suppose to use this road unless you are part of the service team.  NOT US!! Nope...we thought "Well, this must be it!!"

                                 Susie was already exhausted....She was our driver for the evening.  

Down the road we go until a man in a truck waves us down.  He informs us, quite kindly, that we were at the back entrance of a completely different attraction.....One that we had tickets for, but not until the NEXT DAY, and it was actually CLOSED!  He gives us directions and sends us back up the road...forty minutes in the opposite direction.  

By now, we are laughing .... we are cold .... we are getting a bit nervous ... and we honestly are not even sure we are going the right direction.  We make a few more wrong turns (okay, several).  We pull into one wrong parking lot, and even ask for directions again.  Meanwhile, our 6:20 tram ride has long passed and now it is 7:35.  But bless the sweet folks at the Cedar Lodge...they tell us to come on, they will fit us in.  

When we finally arrive, the wind is whipping like a full blown arctic blast.  We shuffle up to pick up our tickets (which were already paid for) clutching our blankets and cups of hot chocolate (which came with our ticket purchase)..... AND THEN!!!!

Oh yes...AND THEN!!!   You won't believe what happened next. 

Please tune in tomorrow to read the rest of this one adventure on the night that we took the Scenic Route and then Some.  

Shug...