Ballard and Me!

     We had a great time during our visit to
Branson, Missouri earlier this week!
     The city is a mecca of entertainment!
There are shows of all kinds in any number
of live theaters throughout the community.
     But there's one thing I did not expect to
find in the middle of the Ozarks. The
Titanic!
      I thought Robert Ballard had found the ship
on the bottom of the Atlantic. But I discovered
it in Branson!
      While it might seem like a strange place
to have any kind of museum related to the sea
(It's so very far away from any ocean) the huge
number of tourists that visit the city each year
makes it a lot more logical than you might think.
     And it's more than just a place for replicas!
This museum claims to have more than 400
genuine Titanic artifacts on  display valued
 above $4 million!
     Our schedule was too busy for a visit on this
trip. But I did swing by the outside which is
designed like the front portion of the ship. There's
also an iceberg! But I think it is a replica!
     It's hard not to be impressed when you're driving
along the main highway heading to see some big
name entertainer and come across the bow of the
Titanic. You've got to wonder how many drivers
have rammed their own berg, or light pole when
it comes into view?
     And they must have a real Captain in there
somewhere because, in addition to their standard
tours, they offer Wedding and Vow Renewal
packages. Bet the real Captain Smith never thought
of that!
     Seems like a fun place to learn the story of the
great ship......although we do know how the story
ends.....don't we?
     Hope the museum stays afloat and that all your
 NEWS is good!