VETERAN'S WEEK IN BRANSON

When we checked in at the Holister Escapee's Park on Friday, the gal told us it was Veteran's week. (Hollister is a suburb of Branson, just across the river.) Anyway, we went and signed up yesterday, at the new convention center, in the new Hilton, by the fairly new shopping center called Branson Landing. (We were here two years ago, and already, they have new buildings.) They have free lunches every day, free tickets to many of the shows, sales in the stores, a parade, and exhibits for the Vets to enjoy. Your spouse gets in at reduced rates at all the activities. We have tickets to have breakfast with Ollie North on Tuesday morning, on Veteran's Day. Yesterday, we went to lunch in the tent, and about froze our hot dog buns! It was about 45 degrees and windy, and the sides of the tent kept blowing. I completely blew my efforts at Weight Watchers, even though I only took 5 potato chips and no cookies-but I was a "true patriot" for my husband's sake! You'll see how "classy" this event was-it even had entertainment while we ate. First there was a group of young people singing patriotic songs, and then Penny Gilley performed. She's logged 300,000 miles entertaining the troops. Good on her! So, Mulert had a good day-between a free lunch and Iowa beating Penn State! "What a country!" (I couldn't help that comment, since I'm in the same town as Yokov Smirnoff!)

FOUR STATES

Today we drove in four states! We started out in Tennessee, then Kentucky, about five minutes in Illinois, and ended up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri! On to Branson tomorrow. Hope the weather holds out until the end of November!

FORT DONELSON

Yesterday, we stopped overnight in Dover, TN, so we could spend the afternoon at the Fort Donelson National Park, another battle my great-grandfather was in. You should be able to tell by now, that Don is really in to this Civil War thing! He told me that he wished his great-grandfather would have fought in it. He can adopt mine! Anyway, the visitor's center has a movie and a museum.

It's a six mile drive through the battleground and around town. Here are some fortifications and a memorial.

The Union soldiers attacked on land, but also in ironclad boats on the Cumberland River. When the Confederates fired on them, the canon balls bounced off. By winning this battle, the Union soldiers were able to take over Nashville.

The surrender papers were signed at the Dover Hotel.

The tour ends at the National Cemetery.

NASHVILLE COUSINS

We stopped on our way back from Franklin, in Nashville, to visit my cousins, Dave and Peggy Sack at their beautiful condo. Peggy's grandfather and my grandfather were brothers. She was still working, so Dave took us on a super neat tour of the area, showing us huge houses, hospitals, the music area, etc. It was light enough for us to see, but not light enough to take pictures. So, I'm sorry I can't share what we saw with you, but we sure enjoyed it! If that wasn't enough, Dave then took us to a fantastic barbecue place! We were able to spend time with Peggy when she got home, and enjoyed our visit with both of them! Thanks again! (note to Marvin-Dave plays golf with Jimmy Buffets lead guitarist, Mac Mc Anally. I'm sure you know who he is.)

CARNTON CEMETERY

The family cared for the men for several months, but they were upset about the dead soldiers. It took them several months to bury the bodies seperately on part of their land. They spent years trying to find out who they were, and place markers with the information on their graves. They spent the rest of their lives caring for the cemetery. Mrs. Carnton kept a log in a book that's there, and the Historical Society has put the information on the internet and in the archives. The curator told us that people come all the time to find their relatives.

CARNTON PLANTATION

We toured the Carnton Plantation and gardens, and found the story of the family very interesting. The mansion was under siege, when Mrs. Carnton recognized an officer who she knew growing up in New Orleans. It saved her house and family, and they used their house as a hospital for all the men. During the battle, four Confederate generals were killed and laid to rest on their porch. Inside, the mansion was full of Dr.s doing surgery in all the rooms. After the immediate surgeries were done, the Dr.s left, and the family cared for hundreds of men. To this day, the floors are full of blood stains. They don't allow pictures inside.

UNION HOSPITAL

We went across the street to St. Paul's Episcopal Church because it was used as a hospital for the Union soldiers. It has beautiful Tiffany windows.