Fun trip to Silver Dollar City, 1970 – nothing like a mule ride!
I am an Ozark tourist every day. It’s one of the perks of living in Harrison, a burgeoning city in the Ozarks.
Because I have lived in the Ozarks for over 30 years, I officially attribute “hillbilly” to my nomenclature.
Travelers flock to the Ozarks because (1) it is an amazing place for family vacations and (2) it is within a day’s drive from the big cities of St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, etc.
For instance, over 71 million tourists have passed through the gates of Silver Dollar City, alone, since it opened in 1960.
Shoe Essentials for an Ozark Tourist
Trout, caught in the White River
Campers and RVs roll into Branson, filled with fishermen and show goers. When the tourist season rolls around, I become a tourist, too — I throw on my flip flops and sun glasses and off I go. That’s the beauty of living in a tourist region.
Further, in a mountainous terrain filled with lakes and rivers means countless occasions for entertainment. Suggested shoe wear: cowboy boots, wading boots, hiking boots … flip-flops, boating shoes, water shoes, sandals, tennis shoes, loafers, golf shoes, pumps, slippers, and heels. Continue reading Ozark tourist at heart! Travel to the Ozarks
Selling a Kokeshi doll lipstick and perfumer brought back memories of our travels to Cabo San Lucas and of Canada, the mailing destination for this sale on eBay.
It’s a small world
Filling out the shipping label to Canada brought back some dubious memories of two Canadian tourists we met in Cabo San Lucas on vacation in 2008.
Darrell and I took an eco-tour with the promise of seeing fossils on the Baja Peninsula. The brochure had in big letters, Wear hiking boots or other well structured footwear.
When the shuttle stopped to pick-up two Canada tourists who were joining the group tour, they were sporting slip-on, wedge sandals. The tour guide looked disapprovingly at their flimsy footwear as they boarded.
“It’s all the shoes we have,” they said.
So, we fossil hunters were limited on our exploration. We could only hike so high up the mountain before it became too dangerous for the ballet shoes the Canadians were wearing, forcing us to abort our search.
That happening left an altered view in my mind of Canada as a country without hiking shoes or tennis shoes.
Flash forward to 2010 Winter Olympics and Canada
I had another glimpse into the heart of the Canadian people as I sat in front of the TV watching the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I would have hopped a plane to Canada if I could.
NBC showcased the beautiful country and lifestyle and took viewers on nightly tours of restaurants.
Then I was reminded of Canada’s hospitality after 911 and was ready to sing Oh Canada.
NBC’s Tom Brokaw reported on Gander, Newfoundland, and how they welcomed 7,000 passengers in 2001 when U.S. closed air space over New York following the attack on the Twin Towers.
Now, 9-years later, watching the report and reunions of U.S. citizens with the generous Canadians who welcomed them into their homes in a time of national distress endeared Canada and its people to me.
Kokeshi dolls for your purse, a lipstick and perfumer
A note regarding the Kokeshi dolls: They are Japanese in origin. The taller one is a lipstick tube and the shorter one a perfumer that holds a lasting, rich perfume scent.
The outer canisters have remarkable craftsmanship, making them mini sculptures of art from a country of artisans.
All tourists aboard – fossil hunting in Cabo
Darrell wearing fossil hunting gearOur guides referred to their rig as a Mexican limousineGuide says fossil is real if it sticks to your tongueAlvin, an engineer and tourist from California, found a fossil that stuck to his tongue
Visit Estate Trinkets & Treasures
Visit my Made in Japan page on Estate Trinkets & Treasures to see other objects of art, made in Japan.
