Table Rock Lake

This past weekend, I got the wonderful opportunity to join Cooper (Aka. Nicholas, aka. my boyfriend, aka love of my life! =)  ) and his sweet parents on a road trip to the great Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Several months ago Cooper got suckered into buying a timeshare special advertising trip at Bass Pro (they talked him into it by giving him a Bass Pro Gift Card on the spot, and saying he would get even more when he actually gets out there, which was perfect, since he loves that store and everything it, why not get a trip out of 'em too?? Right!? ) Anyways, we got a chance to go stay at the Big Cedar Lodge, which was absolutely gorgeous. I forgot how beautiful Missouri is! The trees were on the verge of changing towards the Fall colors, and the weather was perfectly in the 70s. Our lodge that we stayed in was decorated in a log cabin theme and we had a beautiful view of the lake and trees outside our windows, with a balcony to go out and sit and enjoy the lovely weather and scenery. It was also furnished with a full kitchen and even had a washer and dryer. It would be the perfect place to go to, to spend a week or so. The camp grounds of Big Cedar Lodge had several pools and hot tubs, and a sand volleyball court for all guests to use. They even had a lazy river that is opened in the summer months.

We got to Missouri on Friday, and we to Branson to eat and walk around downtown. They have several outside shops, and the set up of downtown was very cute. There were many people walking around, and people carried lawn chairs down to a stage to listen to artists perform. We also made it to a 5 and 10 Store. I didn't even know what this was until we got there. It is an old store filled with pointless stuff. Pretty much everything from your childhood and from your grandparents house is in there! It was a sight to see for sure though!

Like I said.... EVERYTHING from your childhood.. =)

We then, grabbed some yummy ice cream cones and a phosphate drink...yes, I said PHOSPHATE...and NO I had no idea what in the heck that was until I tried one! Ha ha I guess this is what they had before actual sodas? I am still confused about it, but I assume this is how my own future children will react when I mention cassette player one day.. =(   . That night we went back to our lodge to enjoy fun conversation and each others company.
Saturday came, and we all got up and ate a huge breakfast at a restaurant on the campgrounds there at Big Cedar, then Cooper and I had to go to hear the salesmen give their sales pitch about buying into a timeshare.. bleh.. But don't worry guys... we said no..then we said no again..then again..and one more time again we said...NO, so we could get on with our day!
We headed to the lake to rent a boat, Cooper got lucky that the water was cold, or else we would have been on a ski-boat, but with the water being cold he somehow managed to rent a bass fishin' boat for us. We spent a few hours fishing, then rode around the lake some soakin' in the breathtaking beauty of God's country.

Cooper caught the only fish we caught of the day.. haha

This was my only catch of the day..

Cooper's sweet parents Karen and Kevin

Saturday night we went to Old Chicago for the first half of the OU vs. Missouri game. Surprisingly, there seemed to be almost more OU fans there than Missouri! Then, we went back to Big Cedar to watch the rest of the game. Sunday we got up and went to Branson for breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then headed back to reality, back to our stompin' roots in Oklahoma.

Overall it was a great trip. It was nice to get away for a while and get brought back down to remember to soak in the beauty of this land. Table Rock lake is beautiful! I would definitely recommend taking a trip there, if you have not yet been. I really enjoyed spending time with Cooper and his parents. They are extremely fun and it is always good times with them. I am so blessed to have gotten to take this trip with them. God is so great, giving me opportunities such as these, to enjoy travel and explorations, while making sweet memories with others.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart it glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among this dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever," Psalm 16: 8-11