Our Three Girls: Blast from the Past & Random Roadside Adventures

Glad Tidings, Bethany Bible College, Bethany College, Bethany University...it's been called all of these things. (Now it's unfortunately called "closed" but that's another story.) This is the school my great Uncle Duke attended, it's where my parents met and where I spent many summer camps. I can even call myself among the school's alumni. Barely. I spent one semester attending Bethany.

It was the Fall of 1989 and my first time living away from home. I had the time of my life (with the exception of a certain 7.1 earthquake) until I ran out of money. Still, in those four months, I made some terrific friends. I haven't seen any of them in more than twenty years. So I was thrilled when I got a Facebook message from my friend, Becky. She and I lived on the same floor at Bethany. Her vacation plans fell through and she was in St. Louis with a few days to spare before driving home to California.

It just so happened her visit fell on Britt's days off so he willingly watched the girls while we took off for some fun and to catch up on two decades of life! Becky is interested in history (family history brought her this way in the first place). So we decided to tour Branson's Shepherd of the Hills Homestead which tells much of this area's history.

This is the writing desk used by Harold Bell Wright who wrote Shepherd of the Hills. The only book which has sold more copies is the Bible. He also wrote That Printer of Udell's. After reading that book, Ronald Reagan decided to become a Christian. Shepherd of the Hills is really responsible for originally bringing tourists to Branson. For more about the homestead and Harold Bell Wright, visit www.oldmatt.com.

Writing Desk used by Harold Bell Wright

Harold Bell Wright

We were going to watch the live outdoor drama based on the story but it was rained out.

Also at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead is Inspiration Tower. On the top of this tower is the ZipRider. Yes, we zipped off the top of Inspiration Tower. So much fun!

Then we went to College of the Ozarks for a quick tour. (Of course we had to visit a college!) This is one of the few colleges in the country where students work for their tuition. If only I'd known about this when I was looking for schools. Students don't run out of money here. And everything is the highest quality.

We decided to explore a little. It was more fun to think we were breaking the rules. But later we found out visitors are actually allowed to use this elevator and run around the basement playing the piano. Oh well.

Then it was dinner at the college's fine dining restaurant.

Afterward we went to one of my favorite shows, The Haygoods.

Becky bought a teddy bear for Allyson which she had all of the performers sign. Oh, and then she was able to get her picture taken with them!

After the show we went down to the Landing to see the Fountains and walk around.

So we thought our night was over. But it was really just beginning. On the way home we saw a car in the ditch. We decided to pull over and see if everyone was okay. What a shock to find a young couple who had just gotten married that day. The bride was still in her wedding dress! Her new husband had fallen asleep on the way to their hotel in Branson.

Soon we were joined by a group of bikers and one or two other people who stopped to help. Immediately they went to work trying to get the car going again. (They had run over a "Keep Off Median" sign.)

Of course, my major contribution was documenting this entire thing because, let's face it, down the road they're going to want to show these pictures to their kids.

Pretty soon a volunteer fireman came by. When those bikers saw the siren they took off in a flash. (One of the girls said she didn't need any more trouble with the law.)

The car was running again but not well. Becky and I decided to follow the couple back to Branson to make sure they made it to their hotel safely. Well, on the way they were pulled over by the highway patrol. This is a picture of the patrol car's lights in our side mirror. (We didn't want to be obnoxious and get out of the car to take pictures.)

After hearing the lecture about "leaving the scene of an accident" (because of the broken road sign...duh) he let them go. We finally left them safe and sound in their hotel. When I got home and complained to Britt about the officer his first words were, "Well, you know, that's leaving the scene of an accident." Argh.

A day or two later we visited Lamberts and saw this license plate on the wall. We thought of this poor groom.

The rest of our visit was pretty tame. The girls loved Becky who spoiled them with little gifts. Here Nicole is trying to break open a geode Becky bought for her (Nicole loves rocks).