CKCA Road Trip:
• Branson, Missouri •
October 16-20, 2023
• Hosted by CKCA Members Greg and Kay Gordon •
On Monday morning, October 16th, 2023, fourteen Corvettes left Hutchinson, and joined up with three more in Augusta. We had 33 CKCA members in attendance, and made our lunch stop in Parsons, KS.
After lunch we made our way east through Kansas and into backroads through Carthage, MO and on to MO 96, which was old Route 66 starting in 1926. We made our first 66 stop at Spencer's Garage, which is on the original hand-troweled concrete. The new owner gave a tour of his buildings and active plans to continue his restoration of the garage, café, barber shop and hardware store. From there we continued east on the old road 66 alignment to Paris Springs Junction and stopped to see the huge 66 painted roadway, garage, filling station and souvenir display.
From Paris Springs we continued to Springfield and encountered a late-afternoon traffic jam, but made it to Branson around 5:30 PM. A planned group dinner completed the day.
Tuesday morning we attended the Clay Cooper Country Express show in Branson, which many tell me was a trip highlight. For lunch we traveled to Branson Landing on Lake Taneycomo and everyone broke into groups and chose their dining preferences. Mid-afternoon, we traveled backroads to Table Rock Lake and across the dam, which feeds Lake Taneycomo. Dinner that night was on your own and everyone found a group for dinner.
Wednesday morning, we drove to Top of the Rock, which is one of Johnny Morris’ (of Bass Pro Shops fame) premier properties. We had reservations for the self-guided golf cart tour down through the canyons and the caves. After that it was time to see the wonderful Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and lunch at the Osage Restaurant with great views. The rest of the afternoon was open. Wednesday night we had a cookout at Table Rock Lake at Kimberling City hosted by the Gordons.
Thursday was departure day for some, and the rest of the members had an open day for one more show or other activities. Thursday night, 27 members met at College of the Ozarks for a planned group dinner. This private Christian college, founded in 1906, is one of only a few in the nation that does not charge tuition, and requires all students to work at the college's farm operations, dairy, craft center, hotel and restaurant. The food and desserts are great, as well as the service and dining room atmosphere. We have been there several times and have never been disappointed.
Friday was departure day for everyone. We enjoyed hosting this trip!
-- Contributed by CKCA members Greg and Kay Gordon
After lunch we made our way east through Kansas and into backroads through Carthage, MO and on to MO 96, which was old Route 66 starting in 1926. We made our first 66 stop at Spencer's Garage, which is on the original hand-troweled concrete. The new owner gave a tour of his buildings and active plans to continue his restoration of the garage, café, barber shop and hardware store. From there we continued east on the old road 66 alignment to Paris Springs Junction and stopped to see the huge 66 painted roadway, garage, filling station and souvenir display.
From Paris Springs we continued to Springfield and encountered a late-afternoon traffic jam, but made it to Branson around 5:30 PM. A planned group dinner completed the day.
Tuesday morning we attended the Clay Cooper Country Express show in Branson, which many tell me was a trip highlight. For lunch we traveled to Branson Landing on Lake Taneycomo and everyone broke into groups and chose their dining preferences. Mid-afternoon, we traveled backroads to Table Rock Lake and across the dam, which feeds Lake Taneycomo. Dinner that night was on your own and everyone found a group for dinner.
Wednesday morning, we drove to Top of the Rock, which is one of Johnny Morris’ (of Bass Pro Shops fame) premier properties. We had reservations for the self-guided golf cart tour down through the canyons and the caves. After that it was time to see the wonderful Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and lunch at the Osage Restaurant with great views. The rest of the afternoon was open. Wednesday night we had a cookout at Table Rock Lake at Kimberling City hosted by the Gordons.
Thursday was departure day for some, and the rest of the members had an open day for one more show or other activities. Thursday night, 27 members met at College of the Ozarks for a planned group dinner. This private Christian college, founded in 1906, is one of only a few in the nation that does not charge tuition, and requires all students to work at the college's farm operations, dairy, craft center, hotel and restaurant. The food and desserts are great, as well as the service and dining room atmosphere. We have been there several times and have never been disappointed.
Friday was departure day for everyone. We enjoyed hosting this trip!
-- Contributed by CKCA members Greg and Kay Gordon
-- List of CKCA member attendees: Craig and Mary Barkley, Bill and Anita Barnhart, Jim and Carol Bechler, John Denney, Roger and Joan Gibson, Greg and Kay Gordon, Jim and Debby Gruver, Darwin and Nadine Henry, Jack and Lora Martin, Bill and Diane Matlack, John and Darlene Neufeld, Rick and Bonnie Nicholson, Scott and Tracy Patton, Manuel and Kären Piña, Bill and Sondra Popp, Galen and Marilyn Seehafer, and Don and Ann Sturgeon.
-- Attendee list contributed by CKCA members Greg and Kay Gordon
-- Attendee list contributed by CKCA members Greg and Kay Gordon
NOTE: Click on the photos below to open a larger version.
-- Photos contributed by CKCA members Greg and Kay Gordon
• Spencer Garage Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/spencerstation66/
Photo of the CKCA Gang, October 16, 2023 -- from the Spencer Station Facebook page
Photo from the Spencer Station Facebook Home Page
-- Image source: https://www.facebook.com/spencerstation66/
• Clay Cooper Theatre Home Page: https://www.claycoopertheatre.com/
-- Image source: https://www.explorebranson.com/profile/clay-cooper-theatre/351
• Big Cedar Lodge/Top of the Rock Home Page: https://bigcedar.com/top-of-the-rock/
-- Image source: https://bigcedar.com/top-of-the-rock/
-- Image source: https://www.bransonvacationretreats.com/local-area-guide.asp?cat=13646
-- Image source: https://www.golfmissouri.com/golfcourses/top-of-the-rock-golf
Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
-- Image source: https://mainlymuseums.com/post/934/ancient-ozarks-natural-history-museum-missouri/
• College of the Ozarks Home Page: https://www.cofo.edu/
"The vision of College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic."
-- Image and caption source: https://www.cofo.edu/Visit
-- Image source: https://www.appily.com/colleges/college-of-the-ozarks
"Williams Memorial Chapel at College of the Ozarks is an outstanding example of neo-Gothic architecture."
-- Image and caption source: www.cofo.edu/Visit/Sights-to-See/Sight-Details/chapel
"The Keeter Center is an award-winning College of the Ozarks restaurant, hotel and conference facility."
-- Image and caption source: https://www.cofo.edu/Visit/Sights-to-See/Sight-Details/KeeterCenter
Page last updated: 06/11/2024
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
