Alley Springs, Part 1

Next stop was Alley Springs Campground, located on the Jacks Fork River.

One morning we all gathered to have a bagged omelet breakfast.  I supplied the eggs and everyone else brought items to add to make omelets.

After placing all the ingredients in a zip lock bag, you place it in boiling water until the eggs are cooked.

Marian has hers all ready.

You couldn't get a better breakfast anywhere.

Across the road from the campground is Alley Springs Mill, which dates back to the late 1800s.

One this day there was enough room between the gates and the water that several of us kidded about trying to kayak through the gates.

But just a few days later, after the flooding, there wasn't much room left at all.

Sadly, because of budget cuts (the sequester), the funds needed to fix the equipment isn't available.  When I was here in 2009 the grinding equipment still operated.

They have live music on the square in front of the courthouse every Saturday night.  We were lucky enough to hear the Baker Family.  The daughter is 11 years old, the base player is 9 years old and the fiddler is 14 years old.  All the children play all the instruments as was demonstrating during one song when they traded instruments during the song itself.  They occasionally even play in Branson.

Many people watch the performance from across the street.

We had dinner at the Ozark Orchard Restaurant, upstairs on the balcony.

After dinner, some of us went downstairs to the Double O Saloon.  Usually they have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, but this was a weekend off.  But we got the jukebox started and then the bartender and later the owner provided us with money to keep the jukebox going.

 

They are having a contest for a name for their mascot, which is this beaver.

We even got the locals dancing.