MY Branson Ozarks

By Jay Cooley

I am not native to Branson or the Ozarks. I have however become, a Naturalized Bransonian and Ozarker. I have taken the oath. I will have to be physically removed from the Branson area in order for my presence to no longer be needed or wanted. Yakov Smirnoff’s catch phrase is: “What a country.” He is correct, of course. My catch phrase is: “Branson and the Ozarks – what a place and what a lifestyle.”

My wife and I moved to our home off Old Sycamore Church Road, north of Branson, six years ago this month (from Walker, Louisiana – a few miles east of Baton Rouge). We had been to Branson several times since the early-to-mid ‘90s and fell in love with the area. We have always been “mountain” people instead of “beach” people. Before we discovered Branson our travel time was usually spent in north Georgia or east Tennessee. When I retired from the old nine-to-five in 2005 we decided to just “haul off and move” to Branson. We have not regretted that decision for one minute.
 

Apart from the food and entertainment, we began to appreciate the less frantic pace of life, the family oriented atmosphere, the safety and security, the friendliness, the patriotic and, most of all, Christian spirit in this area. I do not know of any other town that plays Christian music in a fast food joint. Branson does. Even the entertainment is family friendly.
 

This summer was a bit different, but the summers are normally not too hot here and the humidity is relatively low. AND there is usually a nice breeze blowing. The winters are mild, for the most part, with just enough snow to be fun and not too much work. The roads are very well maintained also. The Branson public school system is A-1 in my book. I guess I am trying to say that Branson is the best place we have ever lived. I keep telling myself that this is not Heaven, but…
 

This is not the Appalachians or the Rockies, but we do have our own special scenery. It does not matter what the “experts” say about our hills, that they are the oldest of the mountains, or that they are not really mountains at all. What really matters is that they are ours to enjoy. They seem to change in some way every day. Never say never, but I cannot imagine becoming a “flatlander” again.
 

The lakes. Wow! Another reason we are here. Table Rock Lake for boating, or to ride, eat and see a show on the Showboat Branson Belle. Good fishing, also. Then there is Lake Taneycomo to do more boating and trout fishing. 
 

I could go on and on about how special Branson and the Ozarks are to us. It is especially nice here since our entire family has moved here. We are truly blessed to be here in this wholesome, safe and Christian environment that I call MY Branson Ozarks. Enjoy my Branson Ozarks with me.