THUNDER RIDGE NATURE ARENA EXPEDITION!

When I learned that the Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, had developed a massive piece of real estate in Ridgedale, Missouri, into an outdoor performance arena, I was intrigued and wanted to see what it looked like.  Since I was more interested in the organizational concept used in the planning, than in the actual performers, I bought a $37 ticket to a performance, with the headliner being country music artist Luke Bryan.  The price seemed reasonable, considering the week before, tickets to a Rolling Stones performance in the arena were $600 and up, according to their website.  The photo below shows the underpass one would drive beneath as they enter the campus.   

Since I am very parsimonious, and I  like to walk enough to get in 10,000 steps a day on my pedometer, I chose to park in the "drop off lot" across the 86 Highway from the campus, as there was no fee for parking in that lot.  I parked under a light, so that it would be easy to spot my car when it was time for me to drive home.

 

Another reason I parked where I did, was because the least expensive parking was $40, and to me it was confusing on the website which parking lot I was supposed to go to, if I purchased the forty dollar parking option.  In addition, the comments on social media by persons who had paid the parking fee, but still had problems parking, made me reluctant to purchase parking on line.  By walking from the entrance gate past the various parking lots, I gained a better understanding, of the parking situation.  The collage below shows the signs that designate the various areas. 

 

 

There is a shuttle available near the handicap parking lot.  A friend who went to the Rolling Stones concert said the line waiting on shuttles to drive them to their vehicles after the event was over, was extremely long, so they opted to walk back to their vehicle, rather than wait on a shuttle.  

The website said tailgating in the parking lots was allowed, and I saw a few people doing this, as well as playing cornhole, as they waited for the gates to the arena to open.  It is helpful to know in advance that portapotties are available in the parking lot, even before you enter the performance venue. 

 

The website emphasizes one MUST have their ticket available on their phone, and that a screen shot of the ticket is not sufficient.  Being an elderly member of the "Baby Boomer" generation, this caused me great concern.  And sure enough, the first person to try to scan my ticket could not get it to work, nor could the second person who tried to scan my ticket get it to show up on her device.  They told me to go over to the tent especially set up for people having "ticket issues".  Thankfully, however, two supervisors saw what was happening, and did something that only a supervisor can do, and "found me" on the Ticketmaster site to show I had indeed purchased a ticket.  Although I did not need to show it, I had brought my credit card bill with me, that proved I had actually purchased a ticket.    

Once past security (where they look inside your purse) to see if you have brought in any forbidden items, I was able to look around the waiting area, to see what was going to occupy my time, until the gates to the actual performance area were opened up.  The collage below shows there were hats, and leather goods, official Luke Bryan merchandise, jewelry, etc. for sale.  Considering the times we live in, I was not surprised to see that one could also buy the type of souvenir that you wear for the rest of your life, i.e., a tattoo.  I passed on that option. 

Several types of inflatable games were available, as well as tables and chairs under a tent--for those not into axe throwing, golf, or firearms. 

Bass Pro Shop had some of their wares on display, including kayaks and metal fishing boats.  Toyota had their fancy truck on display, complete with an elevated tent attached.  A rig like that would come in handy if the parking lots allowed overnight parking!  If you want overnight lodging in something besides a tent, check their website because combination hotel/arena ticket packages are available   The Bass Pro race car was also on display, and is shown below.

There were several types of food trucks in the "holding area", and a disc jockey kept the party music going to keep everyone is good spirits.  (Drinks with "spirits" were also available)

 

The photo below is a side view of the Veterans Tower, that I took when I was still in the holding area. According to their website, the facility rises 12 stories from its limestone and dolomite base.  Four of its floors will contain VIP suites with bedrooms.  

 

 

The stated goal of building Thunder Ridge, was to create America's most beautiful outdoor amphitheater, and the process is on-going (as shown by photo below, that I took on the day I visited).  Although I have not visited all the outdoor arenas in America, this is certainly the most beautiful one I have seen in the Ozarks.  It is hardly fair to compare Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado (see my blog in the archives dated June 1, 2011, for Red Rocks info), to Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, since they are completely different biomes. Also, the seating capacity of Red Rocks Amphitheater is 9,525,, which is approximately one half the capacity of Thunder Ridge.  (My blog dated June 26, 2009, tells about Palo Duro Canyon amphitheater in Texas; blog dated August 14, 2010, tells about Little House on the Prairie amphitheater in Mansfield, Missouri; blog dated September 4, 2017, tells about Eureka Springs, Arkansas amphitheater)

 

At a certain time, the announcer told people they could start lining up to "make a run for it" whenever the gates to the concert seating area were opened up.  People could buy general admission tickets to sit on the grassy hillside, or a ticket to sit in a folding chair on the concrete in front of the stage.  As I mentioned at the beginning, I was more interested in touring the venue, than in where I sat, so I waited until the line had completely cleared out before I started for the entrance.  By the way, I did not have to go through the hassle of once again trying to find the Ticketmaster info to get to the seating area.  I was very thankful for that!  There is a long concrete entrance way leading to the multistory entrance, and the building is made of field-stone, which is typical of many Johnny Morris properties.  By sitting at the top of the hill, guests can listen to live musicians and take in the view of 1200 acres of forested hillsides, Table Rock Lake, valleys, and inlets

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They had announced there would be an air show that afternoon, and the photo below shows one of the parachute performers, who is flying the Stars and Stripes as they soar over the arena.  If you have a physical handicap, (and don't want to be dropped by parachute!), check the website for arrangements that can be made to accommodate your special needs.

 

 

 

The Bible talks about how crowds of people gathered on a hillside, to listen to the teachings of Jesus.  Then the crowds got hungry, but there was no food.  This is how the passage reads in Matthew 14:15-16.  {"As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.  Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."  Jesus  replied, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  }  Since Ridgedale, Missouri, is also a remote place, the planners of Thunder Ridge, anticipated the challenges of feeding thousands of people (and probably wanted an additional revenue stream), so they  included the Marketplace, where there is a plentiful supply of food, suitable for feeding the masses, that have gathered on the hillside.  .

The Marketplace has an assortment of food, being kept warm inside heated display areas.  The prices are shown in collage below.  There are no humans taking your money to pay for the items you choose.  Rather, you sat the item you want under the "photo robot", who tells the credit card reader what to charge you.  I had the chicken strips, and since I was very hungry, they tasted great.  I had read on the website, that one can take in an empty water bottle, so I had brought one with me, and filled it up at the special fountain designed specifically for water bottle refills (thank you Johnny Morris!  This helps cut down on plastic usage!)

 

Because of the GIGANTIC screens on both sides of the stage, you can see the faces of the performers, even if you are a long way off.  The actual performer with a microphone, is the tiny dot in the midst of all the blackness!

One can purchase seats to watch a performance in the air conditioned comfort of the Veterans Tower. Plus, according to the website, the cuisine offered in the Veterans Tower is much more upscale, than what can be purchased at the Marketplace below.  The restrooms inside the arena were clean, with flush toilets, and running water. 

 

The glass pyramid on top of the stage has the Bass Pro logo, and supports a giant USA flag.  The concrete area to the left of the stage in this photo, is by special ticketing only.  Depending on the popularity of the performer, that concrete area can have folding chairs placed on it for additional seating 

The area at the base of the grassy hill also has tents selling merchandise and food, with portapotties adjacent to them.  Notice Table Rock Lake can be seen in the distance. 

There was also a foodservice area on the far side of the venue, and they were adequately staffed for lots of customers, when I was there.  Speaking of staffing, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is managed by ASM Global ( www.asmglobal.com).  Their website says they are the world's leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences.  

 

The deck beside their service bar would be a beautiful place to observe an Ozark sunset!  The Thunder Ridge website says the arena has a seating capacity of 20,000, which leads me to think that more tables and chairs could be added to this deck, if needed.  The staff told me this seating deck did not have any restrictions--anyone could sit there, regardless of the type of ticket they purchased. 

Seeing the sun sink behind the stage is a good clue that the stage is on the west end of the arena, and the Veterans Tower (which the website calls "The Nature Tower"), directly on a hill in front of the stage, is on the east side of the arena. 

The photo below shows me at the top of the hillside seating, with the stage, and thousands of concert goers, behind me.  The hillside has been landscaped, so that circular terraces provide seating, without having to fear rolling down the mountain!

If you would like to plan a trip to see this remarkable venue, visit www.thunderridgenaturearena.com .  Their address is 1901 State Highway 86, Ridgedale, Missouri  65739.
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena property's land, and all buildings/infrastructure, have been donated and permanently set aside as part of a not-for-profit foundation, committed to the cause of conservation. It is called the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation.  Recently, at a Missouri tourism conference, someone referred to Johnny Morris, as "the Walt Disney of the Ozarks", and after seeing a documentary on Walt Disney, I can see definite similarities!  Johnny Morris, himself,  likes to call this amphitheater a  "musical postcard from Mother Nature", saying " it is a gift to the people and heritage of the Ozarks."  I say, "THANK YOU"!  Getting to see this new performance venue in the Ozarks gave me "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia

SCRIPTURE GARDEN EXPEDITION!

I recently had the opportunity to visit the (somewhat) new addition to the outdoor campus of College of the Ozarks (www.cofo.edu), in Hollister, Missouri.  The arch in this photo marks the beginning of the sacred space.

 This close up photo of the sign shows that one is entering a "Scripture Garden".

The photo below shows that the sign can also be read by looking at its shadow on the sidewalk.  I would like to think that the metal artist who fashioned the sign, knew this would be a benefit of cutting the letters out of the metal, instead of just painting them on the sign.

I am part of a healthy living program (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) that encourages memorization of the Holy Scriptures, in that we are given the challenge of learning one new Bible verse by memory each week.  This "Be still"verse is always a favorite for young parents to learn, so they can train a fidgety youngster "in the way they should go"!

There is a gazebo on the property, and the view it provides is breath-taking!

 

 

Ever wonder about the definition of the word "faith"?   This Hebrews verse answers that question!

Every garden needs a water feature, and this one has a lovely pond, with a butterfly sculpture within it.

I need lots more Godly wisdom, so I ask God for wisdom very often.  And even though my lack of wisdom sometimes causes me to make mistakes, God does not point out my faults in condemnation!

If a student wants to "get away from it all", to study or meditate, all they have to do is tie up their hammock to one of the numerous trees adjacent to the scripture garden!

This verse is a reminder that I should be pure in heart, not prideful.  

When I was doing photography at the scripture garden, this pretty lady came strolling through.  When I saw that she had on a College of the Ozarks shirt, I asked her what her connection was to the school.  She told me she is a volunteer ambassador for them, perusing the campus to help visitors find what they are looking for, and to answer their questions. She is also happy to take photos for people who want to remember their visit to this amazing campus, but do not want to try to do it by taking a "selfie"!

The dedication plaque at the garden, lets me know the name of the "human" behind the gift of these scriptures carved in stone.  Thank you Helen D. McVey!

I want my bones to be healed, so it is better for me to speak pleasant words, than mean words, according to Proverbs 16:24.

This verse from Proverbs 5:5 references "directing our path", which is what the black fence is doing near the edge of the bluff---directing out path!

 

Directing my path was this decorative black fence, that silently tells visitors, "Do not go past this fence"!

 The body of water one can see behind me is called "Lake Taneycomo".  Although it may sound like an Italian word, it actually comes from abbreviating the words "Taney County Missouri".  (The standard abbreviation for the state of Missouri is "MO".)

How thankful I am for this promise, that no matter what happens, God can turn it around for good, for those who love God, and are called according to his purpose.

This verse from the Psalms tells the reason we memorize scripture:

 

 

Beside the gazebo, is a pleasant seating area, that looks down on farm property managed by the College of the Ozarks. 

The way I remember the digits of the verse below, is by saying "to 911", as in when one calls 911 to get help.

This reference of Jeremiah 33:3 is sometimes called "God's Telephone Number".  I use this admonition so frequently to help me find "lost things", that I finally realized, this could also be a reminder to pray for "lost people", who have not yet made the decision, to accept the salvation provided by Jesus.

Saying the Philippians 4:13 verse out-loud, over and over, has gotten me through some very touch situations, including the time I got stuck in my kayak on the edge of a small waterfall in a Missouri river. God answered my prayers for help, and his Divine Strength, finally enabled me to free myself from the torrents of fast-moving water, that were on either side of my kayak!

The Scripture reference of this Bible verse from the Old Testament book of Numbers, is the one I am using as the visual aid to help me remember one of our First Place 4 Health memory verses for our current session.  Numbers 12:11 says, "And he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed."  It refers to when Moses' brother is asking to be forgiven for making the golden calf to worship, while Moses was up on the mountain for forty days with Yahweh.

The First Place 4 Health name originated from the verse shown here, of Matthew 6:33. That is because the verse advises what people should seek FIRST!  In the program's beginning, it was simply called "First Place", because its mission was to train people what was the FIRST, and most important, goal for a healthy life. 

The Hebrew word for praise means, "Hands upward toward God", which is what I am doing here---praising God for the beautiful world he has created! Seeing the College of the Ozarks Scripture Garden gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!!  Tricia

FINLEY FARMS EXPEDITION!

There is a "new attraction" in Ozark, Missouri, along the Finley River, that is based on a very "old attraction" along the Finley River, that has been around since 1833!  It is called The Ozark Mill, and is surrounded by an urban farm, called Finley Farms.  There are no Las Vegas-style flashing neon lights indicating its location, just these massive vintage storage tanks, that mark its entrance.

 One of the first things you see as you drive onto the property,  is the shed called the Farmers Market, and it is scheduled to open May 5. 

The inside appearance of the farmers market  resembles numerous other structures in the Ozarks,  that have the look of weathered oak lumber.  The farmers market will operate each Thursday, May through September.  Flowers, plants and produce from the farm will be sold at the farmers market, as the growing season progresses.

Adjacent to the Farmers Market building is the Workshop.  I read this used to be a garage. 

There is a coffee bar inside the workshop that sells a variety of treats:

The tables inside the workshop with the live plants down the center, are a reminder to say that they offer classes in how to start plants from seeds and cuttings, inside this workshop space.  They carry everything you need to "plant your heart out"!  We saw tools and terracotta, starter seed kits, seed markers, and gardening books galore!

One whole side of the Workshop has overhead-garage type doors that open up to enjoy the fresh air whenever weather permits:

There is an outdoor patio adjacent to the Workshop, that also has a live plant area:

In addition, the outdoor patio also has a fire pit and stage area:

When you see the numerous rows of crops spread out across the acreage, along with the green houses, you will understand why the word "farm" is included in their name!!

Picnic tables and playground equipment are also adjacent to the workshop.

After visiting the workshop, our group strolled over to the restaurant location, so we could be there when they opened up at 11 am.  This gave us the opportunity to get an overall view of the restored mill from the front, and envision what a huge endeavor it was to move such a large structure!  Johnny Morris has owned the Ozark Mill for more than 25 years, but did not develop it because multiple floods had washed away the underside of the mill's foundation.  However, after decades of deliberation, he hired a construction company that picked up the entire 30,000 square foot building and delicately moved it to the parking lot.  The washed-out foundation was replaced with a structurally sound basement, and the building was moved back to the river, and placed on top of the new foundation. 

Once the doors opened, and we checked in with the hostess, we used the time they were getting our table ready, to check out the gift shop, and other parts of the building: I took the photo below of the main dining area, before any guests had been seated.  Since one entire wall is windows, all the diners can look out over the Finley River, and see the waterfall below the old mill pond:

The location of the Ozark Mill restaurant, is in an area near where the historic Riverside Inn used to be.  The Riverside Inn was finally torn down, after repeatedly being flooded.  Just before it was torn down, I was able to go inside and see all the wall murals painted by the original builder, Howard Garrison.    

Unlike many waterpowered mills that used a vertical waterwheel, the Ozark Mill was powered by a horizontal waterwheel.  Regarding the mill renovation project, Johnny Morris is quoted as saying,  "This is a very special project to me and my family.  We have deep family ties to this town, the rivers of this area and to the milling industry.  My grandfather Willie was a miller in Willard  Many years ago, my parents lived on the Finley River millpond in the early 1940's, and my family was proud to call Ozark home for a while."

Traditionally, mills were the place for the folks who lived in the area, to gather and visit, while their grain was milled into flour or cornmeal, back in the olden days.  The spacious retail area of the mill will allow this tradition to continue, as there are game tables, wall dart boards, and lounging chairs spread across the space. 

In today's high tech world, the visiting that goes on within the mill can be shared with your friends across the planet, as their is free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

The staff of the mill restaurant was friendly and helpful, even taking a photo of our group together on the bench in the waiting area.  Note the date on the boards reads 1833, and that relates to the fact that there has been a mill at this location since 1833!  If only these walls could talk---imagine the tall tales they would tell!

Our group wanted to get to the restaurant as soon as they opened, so we could all have a table together.  When I phoned about making a group reservation, the operator told me they do not take reservations, but if our group got there when they opened at ll am, they could get quickly get a table ready for a large group such as ours.  They seated us in a prime location, with a view of the river and millpond out the windows. 

Outdoor seating options are also available for dining:

 

 

About an hour after the restaurant opened, every single table on this outdoor deck was filled with diners enjoying a sunny day in the Ozarks!

The photo below shows the newly-restored basement level of the mill property.  It is being made into a "speakeasy".  The speakeasy will be called the Garrison, named for Howard Garrison, of the old Riverside Inn.  This relates to the legends that say, during Prohibition, Garrison had several run-ins with the law, for offering bootleg liquor and illegal gambling. 

Once we finished lunch, we strolled across this historic bridge, which used to be adjacent to the Riverside Inn.  Locals called it the Riverside Bridge. 

The bridge was originally a railroad bridge built in 1909.  It carried the Frisco Railroad's Chadwick Flyer passenger/freight train across the Finley River. 

When the bridge was severely damaged in the flood of 2015, it was scheduled for demolition.  Instead, Morris bought the old bridge and had it moved to Finley Farms next to the mill. 

Some tourists who were also visiting the property for the first time, agreed to take a group photo of us:

The bridge is open for visitors to use, unless there it has been rented for a private event.  The bridge leads to a spacious outdoor venue across the river from the Ozark Mill Restaurant.
That area has an open air chapel, which is available for weddings and other festive celebrations, and has a great view of the river:

The rafters, trusses, and lofty ceiling, have the aged look of an old barn made from oak, that one might see in the Ozarks.  Even though our group arrived at the chapel via walking the bridge across the river, there is also access to the chapel via automobile, using the adjacent street.

There is a gothic-style metal archway, that provides the perfect frame, for a view of the millpond waterfall and Finley River.  I can only imagine how this view would be enhanced, when that arch is covered in colorful, fresh flowers, for a wedding celebration!

I am using this visit to Finley Farms as the visual aid to help me learn one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses, because the verse starts with three words that seem to be the mantra of conservationist, Johnny Morris---the words are "Let us fix...".  For example, Let us fix  a small fishing lures area of a Brown Derby store,  into the nation's largest outdoor supplier, called Brass Pro Shop; Let us fix an old stone house, into Big Cedar Lodge; Let us fix a rugged undeveloped hillside, into Dogwood Canyon;  Let us fix a burned down golf course restaurant, into Top of the Rock five-star dining destination;  Let us fix a vacant glass pyramid on the Mississippi River, into a Bass Pro Shop with a hotel and bowling alley; Let us fix an old Ozark grain mill and historic bridge, into a restaurant,  and educational farm on the Finley River; Let us fix an unexpected sinkhole developing on a golf course, into a major tourist attraction; Let us fix an abandoned wildlife museum in Springfield, Missouri (which was vacant from 2007-2017) to the nation's top new attraction for the year it opened, (called "Wonders of Wildlife"), and his current project---Let us fix an  abandoned amusement park in Newton County, Arkansas, (Dogpatch, USA),  into a major rural tourist destination, for travelers wanting to experience the beauty of the Ozarks.  LET US FIX, indeed!

The Bible verse I speak of, is from Hebrews 12:2 and says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  

I want to extend a big THANK YOU to Johnny Morris and team, for the conservation and preservation work, they have done, and are doing, in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas.  Your efforts and your "Let us fix" attitude, are appreciated!

If you would like to plan your trip to the lovely Finley Farms destination, you can visit their website at www.FinleyFarmsMO.com  The expedition I had to Finley Farms,  with a great group of friends, gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!!  Tricia