The Big Red Tour Bus left Olathe at 6:30 AM Saturday morning and returned late Sunday evening.

We saw three great shows starting with Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat after a great lunch at Whipper Snappers. We had dinner at the White House Theatre followed by a spectacular Showcase Jubilee Show produced by and starring Joe Tinoco & Tamra Holden at the White House Theatre. The first half was a traditional show followed by a Christmas theme the second half. This is by far the best variety show I have ever seen.

Then Joe and Tamra and family joined us on a bus trip through the fabulous Christmas Lights at the Branson Festival of Lights on the Bee Creek Parkway.

After a first class breakfast at Peppercorns, we met back at the Blue Bayou for a luncheon and baby shower for Tamra Holden Tinoco (their first child is due around the end of December). Then we pressed on to the Tony Kenny's Ireland Show at Music City Centre. This was one of the finest displays of Irish dancing and singing I have seen. Next came a stop at Mountain Man Nut & Fruit where you could sample everything from soup to nuts. Then back to Kansas City. But wait, I can't forget the late dinner at Smith's diner half way home at Collins on 13 hiway (close to Clinton). This is the best home cooking around. We split a tenderloin dinner and it came out hot and juicy with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. They have a second location in Boliver, about an hour from Branson.

Everyone had a great time and our bus driver was tops, he drives the bus twice a year for the Joe Tinoco Fan Club tours. Rick Layne provided plenty of snacks and drinks on the bus and drew tickets for many prizes along the way. Try it next time; you will love the trip to Branson to see our favorite son Joe Tonoco and his lovely wife Tamra Holden.