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S C I L ' s Travel Club February 2022 Virtual Christmas in Branson, Missouri - PART 2

Welcome back to SCIL's Travel Club Virtual Christmas in Branson Adventure - Part Two

Recap ~ Day One

Well, let's see. Where were we? Oh, right, we flew to Branson, Missouri with our Trips Inc. group leaders, Danell, Ed, Amy, and David!

Then we checked into the rustic luxury of the Big Cedar Lodge...
...overlooking the breathtaking Ozark wilderness.

Big Cedar Lodge ~ Site Map

Some of our group stayed in the Governor's Suite in the Valley View Lodge --- this is where we set up our SCIL Travel Club Clubhouse --- and the rest of our group stayed in the Falls Lodge next door.

Fun Mountain - Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill

After settling in at our hotel, we went to Fun Mountain and had dinner at the under-the-sea themed restaurant, Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill.
Then we went bowling at their under-the-sea themed bowling alley.
No wonder they call it the 'Fish Bowl!'

Day Two

Silver Dollar City

We spent the next day at Silver Dollar City! A 100-acre theme park that has the look and feel of an 1880s Ozarks mountain village. It offers rides and attractions, historical buildings, heritage craft demonstrations, and live entertainment.
We had so much fun and there was so much to see like...

Marvel Cave

We learned about Marvel Cave and how in 1960Silver Dollar City was built on the site where the 1800s mining townMarmaros, once stood --- located at the entrance of Marvel Cave.

Homestead Ridge

We visited the original 1880s buildings at Homestead Ridge: like Birdie's Cabin, the Old Trail School, the Wilderness Church, and the Homestead Barnyard Animals petting zoo.
And, we also saw the Homestead Pickers perform at the McHaffie's Homestead front porch!

Demonstrating Craftsmen

We watched craftsmen demonstrating how to make household items out of pottery, wood, metal, and blown glass.
We also watched bakers, giant skillet cooks, and candy makers demonstrating how to make their specialties.
We saw Debbie Dance teach a cooking class at the Culinary & Craft School and then we hung out on the wrap-around porch that overlooks Echo Hollow® Amphitheatre.

Rides and Attractions

We went on some of the 40 different rides and attractions that range from tamer teacups to thrilling rollercoasters and everything in between!
Some us went on the 'dark rides' like Fire in the Hole, the Flooded Mine, among others.
We went to all eleven themed 'neighborhoods' within the park like the Grand Exposition and...
...Fireman's Landing and checked out the rides and attractions in each one of them.
We also took a relaxing scenic ride on the Frisco Silver Dollar Train.

Restaurants & concessions

There was prime rib, burgers, hotdogs, skillet meals, pizza, BBQ, and everything else you could think of!
And there was no lack of sweets either!
Wowza! The choices were mind-blowing! But we did finally decide.

Lunch

We went to Buckshot Annie's Skillets for lunch...

Dinner

...and had the Holiday Feast dinner at Molly's Mill for dinner!

Live Theater

There was a ton of entertainment options too! Besides the amazing street performers, there were lots of stages and theaters with live shows playing all day long.
We decided to go the Opera House and see the Broadway-style musical production of the Dicken's Christmas Carol (which was AMAZING!).

An Old Time Christmas

We were so lucky to be at Silver Dollar City during their 'An Old Time Christmas' holiday event. We got to try special Christmas treats like Wassail, see the eighty-foot Christmas tree, visit with Santa, see Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, listen to Victorian Christmas carolers, go holiday shopping at Jingle Bell Junction and Christmas Hollow, and see the park all lit up with 6.5 million lights, and decorated with 1,000 Christmas trees, 600 wreaths, and three miles of garland and ribbon!
After a full day of fun at Silver Dollar City, we waved goodbye to Santa and went back to Big Cedar Lodge where we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow!

Day Three

Breakfast in the Governor's Suite

Rising early, we all meet in the Governor's Suite --- a.k.a. our "SCIL Travel Club Clubhouse" --- and find breakfast waiting for us on the sideboard in the dining room.
We had plenty of choices of where we could eat our breakfast. Some of us gathered around the dining room table, some of us ate at the counter behind the couch, while the rest of us sat on the couch with a Moose or Bear TV tray!
While the incredible view made the balcony a tempting place to have breakfast, at 50 degrees, it was a wee bit too chilly to sit outside.
Brrrrskees!
After a filing breakfast, we get back into the Trips Inc. ADA Vans and set out for today's adventure! Our destination is 20 miles away so we have a little time to killDanell, Ed, Amy, and David (our Trips Inc. travel guides) play camp songs on the entertainment system monitors for us to sing along to.
The first song was "Hello, Muddah. Hello, Faddah."
The second song was "On Top of Spaghetti."
The third song was "B I N G O."

Singing camps songs made the time fly by! We arrived at our destination in a flash!

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Today's adventure begins at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park which is an outdoor Ozark Mountain paradise featuring 10,000 acres of natural beauty and rugged scenery. The rugged landscape has been modified to provide access for the visitors. Dogwood Canyon is a family destination offering hiking, biking, open-air tram wildlife tours, horseback riding, and trout fishing all surrounded by towering "bluffs," waterfalls, creek beds, handcrafted bridges, and wildlife. Guests can enjoy a carefully maintained landscape while learning about conservation and interacting with nature up close.
We enter into Dogwood Canyon through a very impressive entrance and are amazed by how beautiful the park is. Just think. There are 10,000 acres of parkland! That's impressive all by itself!
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Site Map

Tram Tour

ADA Accessible Open-air Tram

Amy, one of our Trips Inc. travel guides, had made prior arrangements for us to have an ADA accessible open-air tram tour of the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.

This is just one of the many beautiful waterfalls at Dogwood Canyon.

We are really looking forward to our open-air tram tour. We'll see bluffs, waterfalls, and other scenic views! Plus, we'll have a knowledgeable tram tour guide to tell us all about the history of the area as well as lots of other interesting stories.

So, what are we waiting for?

ADA ACCESSIBLE TRAM TOUR

The first thing on our itinerary is our 2-hour tram tour!

Gristmill & Artifact Hall

The Dogwood Canyon Gristmill

The first stop on our tour is the Dogwood Canyon Gristmill.

Blake Adams Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Tour Guide

"From the very beginning, conservation has been at the center of everything we do at Dogwood Canyon. Additions like our authentic gristmill and museum, provide an unspoiled outdoor setting while preserving the rich history of the Ozarks." Blake explained.

The gristmill waterwheel.

"The 25-foot water wheel of the gristmill is powered by the cold water of Little Indian Creek, which flows through the canyon. The operating stones are original gristmill stones recovered from Franklin County, Virginia and now provide the public with an up-close and interactive presentation about Ozark mills."

The Artifact Hall at the Gristmill

"If you head over to the Artifact Hall, you’ll see a lot of interesting items from the canyon like 'lithics' --- which are stone artifacts like the ones 'archaeologists' find at prehistoric sites --- from the native Osage Indian tribes that lived across Little Indian Creek."

nature & Conservation Center

Nature & Conservation Center

Blake pointed out the Nature and Conservation Center and said, "The Conservation Center demonstrates the importance of conservation in the Ozarks. There are Discovery Stations with interactive activities, table top displays with artifacts, and even see some live critters in there that help share our message of conservation."

Pete Nelson's treehouse

The Dogwood Canyon Treehouse was featured as the holiday special episode for Animal Channel's Treehouse Masters in 2017.

"There's a bridge that leads from the Conservation Center over to our beautiful treehouse, built by Pete Nelson and the crew of Animal Planet’s hit TV show, Treehouse Masters. It serves as a hands-on extension of our nature center, so kids and 'kids-at-heart' have a chance to get up close and personal with Ozarks wildlife and plant life."

Martin Macdonald (Left), Conservation Director at Bass Pro Shops, and Pete Nelson (Right), Founder of Tree Masters.

"Our beautiful treehouse serves as a hands-on extension of our nature center, so kids and kids-at-heart have a chance to get up close and personal with Ozarks wildlife and plant life, and experience our magnificent treehouse built by Pete Nelson and the crew of Animal Planet’s hit TV show, Treehouse Masters."

Two levels of decks give visitors sweeping views of the surrounding Ozarks.

Blake went on to say, "A grove of black walnut trees support the treehouse, which stands 14 feet above the ground. The crew also installed a couple beefy steel posts to provide additional support; these posts help the treehouse safely accommodate the thousands of Dogwood Canyon visitors each year."

"They attached dozens of birdhouses to the sides of the 22-foot turret, which encloses a spiral staircase. The blue-green top of the turret is made of copper, and the outside walls are made of old barn wood to give it a rustic look. Pete wanted the treehouse to blend into it's environment like it was always there."

Christmas-time at the Treehouse. There is lots of interesting things to see!

"Pete and the crew built lots of fun, interactive display cabinets that open from inside and outside of the treehouse. Kids love learning about natural specimens in this hands-on way!"

The spiral staircase inside the treehouse is decorated for Christmas.

"They also paneled the walls of the spiral staircase in tree bark to create the sensation of being inside a tree."

Pete and his team used different types of wood for each step in the treehouse's spiral staircase.

"The Treehouse Masters Team found a way to encourage kids to learn about a variety of trees by making each step of the staircase from a different type of wood."

Pete and his carpenter's added all sorts of extra details like animal carvings and specialty windows.

Blake pointed at the arched window at the top of the treehouse. "See that window up there? That's called an 'eyebrow window.' It looks a little like an eye peering out of the roofline, don't you think? Pete's carpenters really went above and beyond with that eyebrow window; their craftmanship is amazing!"

By the beautiful woodwork inside the treehouse Pete's carpenters really are Treehouse Master Craftsmen!

"You should stop and visit the treehouse after the tram tour and see how incredible it is on the inside!"

Pete Nelson --- "To the trees!"

Indian Cliff Falls

Indian Cliff Falls at night.

Blake drives us past the spectacular Indian Cliff Falls and says, "Looking across Little Indian Creek you'll see a cave opening high in the bluff. In 1990, a “bundle burial” was discovered in the Indian Burial Cave. Probably a male in his mid-30’s, this individual was dated to have lived over a thousand years ago in approximately AD 960."

The Indian Burial Cave Marker

"In 1993, a team of archaeologists discovered the remains of three children ages 2-8 years dating back to 6000 B.C. This is believed to be the oldest human skeletons ever dated in the state of Missouri!"

Long Pine Crossing

Long Pine Crossing

Blake points to a covered bridge crossing Indian Cliff Creek and says, "This wooden bridge was built in 1992 by an Amish craftsman by the name of Daniel Y. Schwartz. He and his crew only used hand tools to build it. In fact, several of the tools they used are on display in the Conservation Center."

Long Pine Crossing is a beautiful example of Amish craftsmanship.

"The bridge is 80’ long and was made up of 12” x 12” beams salvaged from a 100 year old warehouse in Chicago just before it was to be torn down. "

Hope Wilderness Chapel

Hope Wilderness Chapel in the Spring

"The Hope Wilderness Chapel was built in 2002, to look like a 'ruralchurch from the 1800’s. Handcrafted by local carpenters, using native pine logs, rustic oak flooring, and a red cedar ceiling."

Inside Hope Wilderness Chapel

"The chapel seats 120 guests and is available for weddings, meetings, and special services."

Thunder Falls

Thunder Falls

Blake stops the tram at an incredible 60' waterfall and says, "Here's another great photo opportunity for you guys. I'd say it's one of the most popular locations in the canyon to take photos at. It's called Thunder Falls and is as tall as a four-story building! It provides a glimpse of what the area looked like thousands of years ago. In 1994, the feature movieOzarks: Legacy and Legend” was filmed in the IMAX format for the Ozarks Discovery IMAX Theater in Branson. A lot of the movie was filmed at Dogwood Canyon including a baptism ceremony here at Thunder Falls."

The Chuckwagon Pavillon

The Chuckwagon Pavilion Sign
Chuckwagon Pavilion

"We have a lot of weddings and special events here at Dogwood Canyon."

Country Western Superstar, Waylon Jennings!

"All sorts of well-known celebrities have used the Chuckwagon Pavilion site for special events including President George Bush, Waylon Jennings, Chuck Yeager, and Johnny Cash just to mention a few."

The streamside Chuckwagon Pavilion has a popular flagstone patio for weddings and events.

"The covered pavilion sits on the edge of Indian Cliff Creek and has a big grassy lawn that makes a beautiful outdoor setting for a special events."

The Great Spirit Rock Shelter

The Great Spirit Rock Shelter

"This impressive bluff and over-hang is known as the Great Spirit Rock Shelter. The oldest human remains ever discovered in the state of Missouri were found here in 1993 and date back nearly 8,000 years. Arrowheads, pottery pieces, fire pits, and a turtle shell that was probably used as a rattle or container were also found here."

There is an observation point at the Great Spirit Rock Shelter that provides visitors a view of the pool below.

"It not permitted to fish here at the Great Spirit Rock Shelter so the trout in the pool are super big. You can get a good view of them from above on the observation platform."

The Kid's Cave

"If you follow the path to the left from here you’ll find the 'Kid’s Cave.' This stunning cave formation is nearly 250’ long. But the passage is only 12”–14” tall at points, Which is why it was named the 'Kid's Cave'."

The Fire Pit Cave

"If you follow the path to the right from here you’ll find the 'Fire Pit Cave.' This beautiful geologic formation contained rare stone beads and well-preserved charcoal samples dating back approximately 3,000 years. The length of the cave is about 40 feet. But it's not safe to enter the cave or climb on the rocks."

The Glory Hole

Rainbow trout live the good life here at the Glory Hole!

"Our next stop is The Glory Hole, a crystal blue-green pool where some of our biggest rainbow trout live!"

The tranquil blue-green water at the Glory Hole.

Blake tells us that The Glory Hole is often considered the highlight of the tour for most of his guests. "This pool is 16’ deep at its center. The reflection of light and depth of the water combine to create the bluish-green color. A cave extends approximately 300’ into the mountain behind the waterfall!"

No Fishing at the Glory Hole!
It's lunch time for the rainbow trout at the Glory Hole!

""We don't allow fishing at the Glory Hole but we can feed them!" Blake pulled out a bag of fish food out of his glove box. "Is anybody interested in feeding the fish?"

The Seven Pools

The Seven Pools in the fall

"The Seven Pools is spectacularly scenic and has tremendous fishing! The small dams --- called “weirs” --- were designed to create an oxygen flow that makes this place an awesome spot for the trout to live and thrive!"

Beautiful ironwork can be see throughout the park.

As we were getting ready to go to the next stop, Blake pointed out some of the handcrafted ironwork along the bridge and said, "Local metal workers have made decorative panels featuring all sorts of different wildlife for the guard rails throughout the park."

Dogwood Canyon offers fishing guides to take you to the best spots and will teach you how to improve your fishing skills.

"Wild rainbow trout were Introduced into Dogwood Creek where they naturally reproduced and now populate the stream. There is a wide variety of natural food sources for trout which makes it the perfect 'habitat' for them at the Seven Pools."

Turtle Rock Bridge

Turtle Rock Bridge, one of many scenic bridges at Dogwood Canyon!

Turtle Rock Bridge is unique due to its cobblestone surface and the unusual rocks that resemble turtle shells. These rocks are natural and come from in Oklahoma.

The Buffalo Boulder

Blake pulled the tram over by a peaceful stream. "This is 'Sam's Spring' and across the way," he said pointing over to a big rock, "is the Buffalo Boulder."

That DOES look like a buffalo now that you mention it!
Adventurous folks ride the Buffalo Boulder!

Suddenly, two adventurous 'Segway' riders let go of their handlebars and hopped off their motorized, two wheel vehicles, so they could jump on the back of the Buffalo Boulder and pretend to take him for a ride!

Giddy up, Partners!
Emerald Pool

"The next stop is Emerald Pool --- which is almost as turquoise in color as the Glory Hole!"

Welcome to Arkansas!

"A portion of Dogwood Canyon is located in Arkansas. As we cross the boarder we'll enter the Bison-elk Country pasture! Keep on the lookout for the largest residents at Dogwood Canyon --- American bison, elk, and Longhorn cattle!"

Bison. Up close and personal!
Oh, look! There's a herd of Elk!
Yep! And, there are some Longhorns!
Trapper's Cabin

"In 1993, we built Trapper's Cabin for our fly-fishing school. it's made with doors and windows taken from a very old building in New Mexico."

Wish Bowl Falls

Wish Bowl Falls

"Last, but certainly not least, we come to Wish Bowl Falls!"

Golden Rainbow Trout call Wish Bowl Falls 'Home Sweet Home'!

"This beautiful pool is home to our golden rainbow trout and is the turn-around point of the trail."

Blake Adams --- Dogwood Canyon Staff Member Extraordinaire!

Blake takes us back towards our starting point. As the tram pulls back up to the Gristmill, we say goodbye to our good friend, Blake, and wander inside the Artifact Hall to take a look around and then onto the Nature & Conservation Center.

The bridge between the Conservation Center and the Treehouse.

Some of us leave the Conservation Center by way of the bridge that connects to the treehouse so we could check out the inside of that too!

Interested in going on a Virtual Tram Tour of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park? Click the links below!

Lunch

Dogwood Canyon Grill

Lunch with a view at the Dogwood Canyon Grill.

We file into the Dogwood Canyon Grill and find tables by the windows. We order our drinks and flip open our menus.

There is a lot of great menu items at the Dogwood Canyon Grill!
I'm having a Caesar salad and a side of onion rings with BBQ sauce. What are you going to have?

Don't forget to leave room for dessert!

We top our lunch off with an ooey-gooey dessert and then take our hot drinks outside to sit on the patio.
What a perfect spot to relax with a Mexican Hot Chocolate or a Marshmallow-topped Hot Cocoa!

We talk about our favorite parts of the tour and discuss things we learned while sipping the hot chocolatey-goodness from our festive copper mugs and enjoying the peaceful setting behind the Gristmill.

Ahhh...

It's been fun but it's time we get moving along. We still have the second half of today's adventure waiting for us!

Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium

W.O.W.

Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium --- W.O.W.

Like no other attraction before it, Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium has a positive national impact on wildlife and conservation. Wonders of Wildlife spans 350,000 square feet and takes you on a journey through amazing habitats that entertain and educate while sharing the story of America's most significant conservationists throughout history and today.

Did you know?

More than 40 leading conservation organizations contributed to Wonders of Wildlife

Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters --- Springfield, MO

Adjacent to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is the Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters located in their hometown of Springfield, Missouri. The original Bass Pro Shops has more than 500,000 square-feet of retail space and as such is referred to as the “Granddaddy of All Outdoor Stores” and is the number one tourist destination in Missouri.

Inside the Bass Pro Shop

Bass Pro Shops is an American company that focuses on various equipment related to fishing, boating, camping, hunting, and other outdoor activities. The CEO of the company, John Morris, has grown the company since 1972 and now has stores in over 177 locations all over the USA and Canada with more than 40,000 employees. As of 2018, the total revenue generated by the company is more than $8 billion and is listed at 93 in the Forbes list of the largest private companies in America.

Did you know?

There's an archery range and a shooting range in the basement beneath the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO!

Those casually walking through the Bass Pro Shop --- who aren’t gun connoisseurs --- have probably missed the entrance of the archery and shooting ranges located near the camping section.

Great Ocean Hall

Great Ocean Hall

Our journey begins inside the breathtaking Great Oceans Hall where we admire historic fishing boats belonging to Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Johnny Morris, and President George Bush!

Ernest Hemingway's 'Pilar.'
Zane Grey's 'Avalon.'
Johnny Morris' Tuna Boat.
President George Bush's 'Bass Force One.'

Bass Force One is the Tracker boat that Johnny Morris --- the W.O.W. founder --- gave to George W. Bush as a gift.

Did you know?

There are more than 1.5 miles of trails through the exhibits and displays and 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, 'amphibians,' and birds representing more than 800 species

Open Ocean

The Massive Circular Tanks of the Open Ocean Exhibit

Next, we step inside the 300,000-gallon 'Open Ocean' habitat. This is a circular fish freeway where we're able to watchzebra sharks, leopard rays, sea turtles, and the living bait ball of 6,000 herring swim in formation to confuse and intimidate potential predators.

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Six thousand herring swim together in a giant mass to confuse predators.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

Next stop is Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a three-story saltwater aquarium full of colorful reef fish including Maori wrasse, potato cod, Queensland grouper, and moray eels.

The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Room with life-size ocean wildlife on the walls and hanging from the ceiling.

Then we look up and see a life-size humpback whale and her baby swimming overhead!

The FISHING HALL OF FAME

Fishing Hall of Fame

We go inside the Fishing Hall of Fame to see interactive 'exhibits' and personal 'artifacts' of some of Sport’s most accomplished men and women. We even get to see their world-record freshwater and saltwater fish mounted like trophies!

HALL OF FISHING PRESIDENTS

Hall of Fishing Presidents

We also see historic photos and artifacts from U.S. Presidents enjoying fishing ---- one of America’s greatest pastimes!

THE NATIONAL BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME

The National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

We check out the National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame where the sport of bass fishing is promoted and celebrated.

Shipwreck Reef

Shipwreck Reef
The main fish tank in the Shipwreck Reef exhibit
Two levels at the Shipwreck Reef exhibit

The next exhibit takes us to depths of the ocean floor to explore a sunken shipwreck now home to colorful reef creatures including eels, goliath grouper, lobsters, and more. I wonder if there is any pirate treasure down there?

Arrr, watch those land lubbers over there, me mateys, so they don't try and steal our pirate booty!
The Stingray Tank at the bottom of the Shipwreck Reef tank.

At the base of the circular Shipwreck Tank is a Stingray Tank where you can reach in and pet the stingrays as they swim by! There are five different types of fish that swim at the bottom of the ocean on display in this tank!

A view of the Stingray Tank from above

Those of us brave enough to stick our hands in the water said the stingrays felt like sandpaper! Come to find out, their skin is made up of tiny teeth-like scales!

Did you know?

Elite Conversation School for 5th graders at W.O.L.F.

Before their fifth-grade year, any student enrolled in Springfield Public Schools can apply to be in the W.O.L.F (or Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facilityprogram, and 23 girls and 23 boys are randomly selected. The lucky few can attend the school for an entire year taught out of the Wonders of Wildlife Education Center, just right next to Wonders of Wildlife. Students can learn about wildlife conservation, survival skills, outdoor skills, and more through hands-on activities and wildlife field trips.

SWAMP AT NIGHT

This swamp-like area is like being in a Louisiana 'bayou!'

Now, we're headed to the murky swaps of the southeastern United States where we're surrounded by two-story cypress trees and nocturnal animals like owls, alligators, beaver, black bear, and more.

OUT TO SEA SHARK DIVE

Shark Dive Cage

We get to imagine what it's like to be out on coastal waters and view sharks, goliath grouper, and dozens of colorful reef fish.

Did you know?

The Goliath Grouper in the Out to Sea 'habitat.'

Johnny Morris, and his longtime fishing buddy Bill Dance, were the ones who caught the biggest fish displayed in Wonders Of Wildlife --- the Atlantic Goliath Grouper --- who lay low inside the Out to Sea 'habitat.' Weighing in at more than 400 pounds, these are the biggest fish in the entire aquarium!

Johnny Morris and his longtime fishing buddy, Bill Dance.
Bill Dance and Johnny Morris outside of Wonders of Wildlife.
Under water in the Shark cage

The all-new Out to Sea Shark Dive takes you under water inside a metal cage to come face-to-fin with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, barracudas, and Atlantic goliath groupers. Their state-of-the-art air helmets allow you to comfortably breathe underwater without diver certification.

Getting ready to get into the water with the sharks!

Those who were brave enough to get into the water with the sharks said it was a peaceful experience to be underwater watching the sharks swim by.

Wow. Look at the fins on that guy!

RIVERS & STREAMS

Thee is amazing wildlife to be seen in the rivers and streams of the Ozarks

We get to explore the Ozark's rivers and streams and encounter wildlife like a playful pack of river otters. The great outdoors comes to life for us with a trout stream and a lake filled with paddlefish, sturgeon, and bass.

Under River

A freshwater Walleye.

We stand at the bottom of a flowing freshwater river as bass, walleye, and other freshwater fish swim alongside us.

We even got to see the freshwater fish swim above us in a 360-degree “pop-up” bubble!

Marvels of the Deep

A walk-through 30,000 gallon aquarium!

We wander through a gigantic fish tank with some of the deep ocean’s most incredible wildlife like jellyfish, seahorses, spider crabs, and a giant pacific octopus with a living coral reef and seashells from around the world.

Deep Ocean Spider Crabs
Giant Pacific Octapus

THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Tropical rainforests are SUPER important for our planet. They're referred to as the "lungs of the planet.”

Tropical rainforests are often called the “lungs of the planet” because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. But the amount of carbon dioxide they absorb depends hugely on the climate. The year-to-year variations in the climate has revealed just how vulnerable the rainforest is to climate change.

The earth and all it's wildlife needs our help!
There are 360-degree “pop-up” observation bubbles where you can stick your head in and feel like you're in the tank with the red-bellied piranhas!
One of the Poison Dart Frogs at the Amazon Rainforest exhibit

There are so many incredible animals in the Amazon Rainforest exhibit like poison dark frogs, yellow spotted river turtlesred-bellied piranhas, a two-toed sloth, and more.

Native American Hall

These escalators --- with Buffalo roaming along each side of it --- take you up to the North American Hall. But we take the elevators! :- >

In the North American Hall we see how the early inhabitants of North America lived. They were truly the first 'conservationists!' Illustrating the deep connection between mankind and nature, this deeply respectful exhibit demonstrates the value of being one with our land.

The first Bass Pro Shop

The replica of the original "Brown Derby Liquor Store" owned by Johnny Morris's dad is where Bass Pro Shops was born.

The re-creation of the original Bass Pro Shop is located just outside of the entrance to the wildlife galleries section, inside Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Visitors can see an exact replica of the original Bass Pro Shop, along with other 'memorabilia' that helped shape the company into what it is today.

The replica of the Brown Derby Liquor Store looks just like it did in 1972 when Johnny first started selling bait and tackle.

The doors and shingles from the roof used in the 'replica' are from the actual Brown Derby Liquor Store where Johnny Morris first started selling bait and tackle.

Did you know?

The Time Capsule

There’s a Time Capsule set to be opened In 2102. If you weren’t looking for it, you’d probably miss it. Located near the Wildlife Galleries entrance, the time capsule was filled with children’s letters about conservation and was shut November 1, 2002. Let’s hope we’re still around because in 2102 the time capsule is scheduled to be reopened.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Cabin

A replica of Teddy Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin

We step inside a replica of the Maltese Cross Cabin belonging to Theodore Roosevelt --- who is considered to be the “Conservation President!” His cabin has authentic artifacts from his life and gives us a peak into who he was as a man.

The Teddy Roosevelt's Cabin is located near the start of the Wildlife Galleries, leading into the Lewis and Clark Gallery. Boone and Crockett Club's National Collection of Heads and Horns is on permanent loan, and is constructed to look exactly like the original 1922 Bronx Zoo exhibit.

THE LEWIS AND CLARK COLLECTION

The Lewis and Clark Collection

Charles Fritz, one of the nation’s most respected Western artists, painstakingly brought the Journals of Lewis and Clark to life through 100 paintings, offering a dramatic visual experience of the historic expedition.

BOONE AND CROCKETT

The Boone and Crockett Club’s National Collection of Heads and Horns

The Boone and Crockett Club’s National Collection of Heads and Horns --- founded by Theodore Roosevelt --- features over 40 historically significant North American game animals that helped spark America’s conservation movement in the 1920s.

NATIONAL PARKS

A dangerous bear chasing after a pack of wolves in the National Parks exhibit

The National Parks exhibit serves as a window into some of the most awe-inspiring national treasures in America, to help teach about the importance of conserving public lands that serve and protect our wildlife, plants, and historical sites.

BUCKS AND BULLS

The Bucks and Bulls exhibit has the foremost collection of world-record whitetail deer.

The Bucks and Bulls exhibit has three current world-record trophies, a display showcasing the whitetails deer throughout its stages of life, and a rotating collection of over 200 of the world’s finest specimens.

GAME BIRDS

North American turkeys and grouse are on display in the Game Birds exhibit.

The Game Birds exhibit shines a light on the conservation efforts of the National Wild Turkey Federation as it showcases turkey and grouse species of North America within the sprawling branches of a Southern Live Oak tree.

YEAR OF THE BIRD

The Year of the Bird exhibit focuses on the protection of birds

The Year of the Bird exhibit is a celebration of t he Migratory Bird Treaty Act --- the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed by Congress --- and brings guests face-to-face with visually compelling storyboards describing the protection of native birds,

SHEEP MOUNTAIN

The Sheep Mountain exhibit displays Arthur Dubbs' personal collection of impressive wildlife.

There are 40 record-setting wild sheep from around the world displayed standing atop the rugged cliff sides of Sheep Mountain with breathtaking murals depicting dramatic climate conditions in the background. All of the wildlife is from the incredible personal collection of avid hunter-adventurer Arthur Dubbs. To make the experience even more realistic, it also includes sounds from the mountains and scents from the wild.

Did you know?

Master Artists --- Aaron and Adam Wolken

Aaron and Adam Wolken have spent over six years hand-painting the murals, 'dioramas,' and wilderness scenes you can see all across the Wonders of Wildlife habitats. You can spot their work here at Sheep Mountain, in the Great African Hall, North American Hall, Africa After Dark exhibit, The Swamp at Night environment, the “Out to Seamural above the shark tank, the Tracker Boat deep-sea fishing mural, and the walking tour entry and exit paintings depicting the White River in Missouri and Arkansas.

Can you see the face in the mountain?

You probably won’t see it at first glance, but if you look long enough, you’ll see a face hiding in the mural of Mount Kilimanjaro inside the Museum’s Great African Hall exhibit, painted by the Wolken brothers.

GREAT AFRICAN HALL

Huge elephants in the Great African Hall exhibit.

In the Great African Hall you can see the daily drama of the African 'savannah' with an array of animals including elephants, giraffes, rhinos, crocodiles, zebras, and more as a tribute to the importance of African wildlife conservation.

AFRICA AFTER DARK

Imagine you're on an African safari and sleeping in this tent at night while elephants and giraffes are nearby!

Being at the Africa After Dark exhibit is like stepping into a historic safari camp site that recreates the thrill of camping in the wild. Those with sharp eyes can spot 'nocturnal' African animals throughout the space including lions, hippos, 'bongo antelopes,' and 'bush pig.'

Maybe we should go on a Virtual African Safari sometime. What do you think?

The POLAR EXPEDITION

Musk Ox and Artic Wolves below the Northern lights --- which are also known as are known as 'Aurora borealis.'

Because the Earth rotates on a tilted 'axis as it revolves around the sun, sunlight is experienced in extremes at the poles. This means each area experiences 5 months of daylight, then one month of day and night, then 5 months of complete darkness, and then another month with a day and a night!

The earth rotates on a tilted axis.

The Antarctic is the South Pole and the Arctic is the North Pole. The Artic is the coldest of the two poles.

At the Polar Expedition, there is a Polar bear exhibit and walrus exhibit.
Polar bears are big, but this guy is HUGE!

Polar bears generally range between 6 to 9 feet tall and weigh in at around 300 to 1,300 pounds. But the world-record polar bear standing on his back legs is a staggering 11 1/2 feet tall and weighed in at a whopping 2,210 pounds! Wow!

Did you Know?

9 facts about walruses.

1. There are 2 main types of walrus living in the Artic. There are 25,000 Atlantic and 200,000 Pacific walrus.

2. Male Pacific walruses can reach 8 feet long and weigh over 2,200 pounds.

3. Both male and female walruses have tusks. They use their tusks to haul themselves out of the water and onto sea ice, to keep breathing holes open in the ice, and defend themselves against predators.

4. A mother walrus will pick a calf up with her flippers and hold it to her chest if it’s threatened, diving into the water with it to escape predators. Walruses have young fairly infrequently, so it is vital for them to protect their offspring.

5. Walruses live up to around 40 years.

6. Walruses are rarely found in deep water. They prefer feeding at the bottom of shallow waters, eating clams, worms, snails, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and sea cucumbers. Tasty.

7. Walruses prefer to rest on sea ice. Atlantic walruses routinely also rest ashore in the summer and autumn, as feeding grounds in the Atlantic are closer to land.

8. Walruses are highly sensitive to noise and disturbance. During their mass gatherings, stampedes can occur as easily spooked walruses attempt to reach the water.

9. The greatest threat to walruses is climate change. Melting sea ice means more Pacific walruses are resting on land, further from their feeding grounds. These ever growing gatherings can be deadly, especially for young calves. And as the Arctic opens up to more shipping, tourism, industry, and noise, the Atlantic walruses are at greater risk of disturbance, and therefore stampedes.

PENGUIN COVE

The penguins at W.O.W definitely have happy feet!

At Penguin Cove there is a colony of live Gentoo penguins to see. Their exhibit includes two 360-degree “pop-up” bubbles that place us directly inside their habitat where we can watch them play and swim. These birds remind us that the planet’s natural beauty is worth exploring, protecting, and sharing with future generations.

Did you know?

Most penguins swim underwater at around 4 to 7 miles per hour, but these are gentoo penguins and they are the fastest penguins out there! They can reach top speeds of 22 miles per hour!
Cranes were used to lower the massive diving tube through the roof of Wonders of Wildlife into the Penguin Cove exhibit.

Two exhibits could only be added by cutting a hole in the roof. Some exhibits inside Wonders of Wildlife are so big, they can’t fit through the doors. Not only was the Penguin Cove diving tube lowered in through the roof of Wonders of Wildlife, but the ceiling of Bass Pro Shops was removed to add the 15,000-pound Dream Buck that sits in the middle of the store, and replaced with a skylight.

The Bass Pro Shops 'Dream Buck' with his two new friends
Exploring the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium was so much fun but now I'm STARVING! How about you?

Dinner at Hemingway's

Dinner at Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe

Hemingway's Blue Water Café is upstairs but we take the elevator! :- >
The restaurant has two-story's of dining space and is already busy!

Hemingway's is located inside the Granddaddy of all Bass Pro Shops and is the Ozarks' most unique restaurant named after the famous author, Ernest Hemingway. We can hardly wait to get inside!

A big circular buffet is the first thing we notice. Was that my stomach growling or yours?

Hemingway's is a beautiful restaurant, there's no doubt about it. Everywhere we look there's something interesting.

The center of the Buffet area.

An example of the interesting décor is the bronze mermaid sitting in the center of the Buffet. Wow! And look at that light fixture made out of antlers!

The cozy fireplace.

Hey, check out the fireplace? Can we have a table right over here please?

A seat with a view!

We decide to sit at tables across from the impressive 60,000 gallon freshwater aquarium showcasing local freshwater fish.

Did you know?

The aquariums at Hemingway's were designed and built by the stars of 'TANKED' on the Animal Channel, Wayde King and Brett Raymer.

Although it never made it on the show, the aquariums behind the bar inside the Hemingway’s Blue Water Café were designed by the aquarium gurus from ATM, the popular TV show 'TANKED' on the Animal Channel.

Let's Eat!

What are you going to have?

Fish and Chips
Fish Tacos
Grilled 6oz Fillet
Pan seared Halibut
Shrimp Bonetti
Tonight's Special

I think I'll try tonight's special --- the Bacon-wrapped Chicken! What looks good to you?

Did you know?

'Bonefish Willie' is a bonefishing icon and a big fan of Hemingway.

It was legendary bonefishing guide, Ansil Saunders, --- also known as 'Bonefish Willy' --- on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas who first triggered Johnny Morris’ admiration of Ernest Hemingway and his great 'literary' works.

An old wooden fishing skiff displayed on the ceiling at Hemingway's Blue Water Café.

An old wooden fishing skiff --- a notable artifact of fishing history --- is now displayed on the ceiling in Hemingway’s Blue Water Café as a tribute to Hemingway, Bonefish Willy, and the sport of saltwater fishing.

Time to Get Ourselves Back to Big Cedar Lodge

Boy, that's a welcome sight!
Zzzzzzz

It's been a long, action-packed day for us today so we're looking forward to slipping under the covers and dreaming about all the fun we had!

Until next time!

We hope you enjoyed the second installment of our Virtual Christmas in Branson Adventure! Stay tuned for our next installment as we go to the Top of the Rock and take in the Branson nightlife! Coming soon in the April Edition of DISABILI-TEA!