Big Cedar, Chateau on the Lake... Two Reasons to Make More Money

Whoever said money can't buy happiness is a big liar- It can, and it did. It might not be long term happiness, but I don't mind happiness in little bursts here and there.

Friday I left for Branson, MO. I know what you're thinking- what is a Tall Dark and Handsome guy like myself going to a place filled with elderly octegenarians of the mostly caucasian persuasian? Well, like P. Diddy, I like to be pampered and spoiled and massaged and treated like I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth when in reality I wasn't born with so much as a copper penny.
Chateau on the Lake is a beautiful Resort. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous- it isn't just that the hotel is so nice, but it is how you are treated and where this place is located- it's gorgeous. And while the Chateau was nice, it doesn't hold a candle to Big Cedar.

Big Cedar is a Lodge, and it is not like those lodges you go to in Colorado where they look like they have been around since Adam and Eve were booted from the garden. Old furniture, greasy cafeterias, huge dusty fireplaces... No, this place looks brand new even though it has been around since 1921. There is amazing landscaping, waterfalls, restaurants, all right on Table Rock Lake- it's simply the best hotel/lodge I have ever stayed in. They even bring cookies to your room every night! This was not my first time at Big Cedar, and hopefully it won't be my last.

People keep asking me, "Why did you go up to Branson?"

Well, my buddy Braun had some work to do in Springfield and both of us have friends that work at Kanakuk Kamps so we decided to make a weekend of it.
Braun is a great guy, but let me tell you, that first night he snored so loud that I had to move out on to the balcony. I knew that if he woke up he would feel bad, so I tried to be sneeky, but he woke up and told me to come back in and I did because I knew he already felt bad about the whole situation. I really didn't mind sleeping on the balcony, it was nice and quiet out there.

The next night I wore Braun's headphones that cancel out noise, it was a much more restful night... I still love ya Braun- I heard a saying once, "You like people for their qualities, you love them for their imperfections."

Saturday we visited Bruce Morgan who is one of the coolest guys I know. He has worked for Kamp for years and he is just so laid back and nice that you can't help but love him.
Sunday we went to Kanakuk and I was surprised at how many people I knew were still there. I saw Senator, Faith, Cribby and Jenny, AMA, Ellen, Cameron and Callie- man there were so many to say hi too and so little time. It was a short visit, but a nice one.

The food is probably one of my favorite things at Big Cedar. There are 4 restaurants, we only ate at one of them but it was great. The Buzzard Bar- which sounds like it would be a Bar, but it is really a nice restaurant- two stories, overlooking a pool. I will only tell you about the brunch that we had that was 20 bucks a person. I personally had, Eggs, Biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, chicken wrapped with bacon, barbecued pork tenderloin, grilled chicken mango salad, pineapple, german chocolate cake, orange mousse, peanut butter pie, new potatoes in a dill sauce, grilled squash and zucchini, apple-raisin coleslaw, and twice baked potatoes. It was a smorgasboard of deliciousness and I had to get my money's worth.

Sunday morning at Big Cedar Braun and I signed up for massages. I got the deep tissue massage which is painful and feels good at the same time. I really could get used to massages- they are incredible. After the massage Braun was getting his massage and I went back to the room and got in the jacuzzi tub. It was really nice to just relax and to get all that oil off of me that they use in the massage- (a little side note- if you get a massage, wear clothes that you don't mind getting oily)

Unfortunately the end of the trip had come and I had to drive the 8 hours back home to Plano. I made it in 7 hours and 15 minutes and I didn't get lost or turned around once- I think that is a record for me when it comes to coming back or going to Branson. There are so many winding roads and although it is beautiful up there- it is a pain in the butt to drive anywhere.