What $80 and $42 dollars can get you. Part one.

Well, you may wonder why I have a photo of cashew chicken from Wong Fu to the left. Thats because I went on a mini vacation to Springfield and Branson Missouri last Thursday-Sunday! I went there for a reason - to meet a friend that weekend, but I decided to go early to hang out in Springfield and rehash some old memories.

I went to college for one year at Missouri State University. in Springfield before transferring to Mizzou for the final three years. I hated Springfield. Best grades I ever got in college, but it was a miserable time. EXCEPT for the Cashew Chicken at Wong Fu. Seven years ago, it was the most.awesome.dish.ever. I have not had it for seven years, and I knew this would be a good time. So I went to the student union and got my food. Spilled a portion of it down my shirt and pants and the meal wasn't exactly as I remembered. But, I was still happy. So I spent the rest of the day walking around campus and taking pictures. I also went to Bass Pro Shop which is fun (in a horrifying sort of way).

So later that night I needed to get a hotel room. Decided to go to stay at a Best Western. When I got up to the front desk and received my room, they told me it would be $80 bucks. So I swallowed my pride and said "okay, I'll stay one night." No way did I want to spend that much. But I took my little card key and went to my very nice hotel room for a good nights sleep. That was Thursday night.

On Friday I did a little more of the same...slept in, hung out, went to the mall. That night I actually had a ticket to go see the Springfield Cardinals which is the St. Louis Cardinals AA team. Its a great brand new little stadium and I had a really fun time. And prices were so much cheaper at this ballpark than the major league park back in St. Louis. So Friday night, I needed a new hotel room. I wanted to be cheaper this time so I decided to spend the night at the Dogwood Inn (no website) for $42 dollars. The clerk (no english) handed me a key and a tv remote control and I went on to the room. The room had an air conditioner, and it was going full blast. But, the unit was high in a corner that I could not reach and the room had no chairs for me to stand on. At least it was on though. Oh, and the door lock was just a little button on the door knob. And, the topper, was that there was a little hole in the wall. All I could see was wood in it but what I was thinking about was Anthony Perkins taking the picture off the wall in his office at the Bates Motel to spy on Janet Leigh in her hotel room. I shoved a receipt in it.

So Saturday I headed down for Branson. Part 2 soon. But I will give you a hint, it involves three kinds of boats: Duck boats, Showboats and Riverboats.