Travel Day: The drive north out of Little Rock, Arkansas, was only on the freeway for a short time and then highway 65. This road goes through small towns and we quite enjoyed it. Some places have tight and narrow roads with no shoulder, though. There are places where the trees open up into meadows, along with houses, farms, and towns. Pretty views from the hill tops. These are the Ozark Mountains.
Turkey Creek Campground Now Eras, Hollister, MO 04/26
We got to Eras, formerly Turkey Creek RV campground in Hollister, Missouri, at 1:00 p.m. No one was at the office; a sign said she was on site but we had our site number from the email so just drove to it. We are just a site or two from where we were last time, back in October 2023. We got set up and then took off. Drove around Branson.
Kevin was done early from work and then we took off to College of the Ozarks. We were here last time (October 2023) and learned so much about the place and history. We even had bought a book about the history. Founded in 1906, it started out as a local school since there weren’t schools in the area for children. In 1965 it became a college and it is unique in that it is tuition free for full-time students. Each works on the campus. From farming, dairy, hospitality, crafts like glass blowing, food and their famous fruitcake and on and on with so much more. Now students just have to pay for room and board but it wasn’t always that way. The acceptance rate is around 12%. We got there on a bright and sunny day and at the gate were given directions to the Ralph Foster Museum. The cost is $10.00 each and is a huge 3 story building. It wasn’t what we thought it would be, however. We thought it would be all about the history of the college but that part was on the top floor, in the corner, and really only a few timelines and samples of dorms. Now, that being said, the main lodge at the front of the campus has a lot of good history that we saw last time. This place, was so cold inside, and all the visitors were complaining. Even with our coats on my nose was so cold and ear hurt. No idea why they had it so utterly cold. Lots of people complaining and a few even left because of it.
Original Beverly Hillbillies Truck, College Of The Ozarks Museum, Point Lookout, MO 04/26
The museum was very well organize and with open areas. Tons of old dishes, knives, smoking pipes, dolls, doll houses, etc. At the start is the museum is the original Beverly Hillbillies truck. It is cut down from a 1921 Oldsmobile. I thought it looked a lot longer than appears on the TV. The cast spent some time here and of the episodes were filmed around here.
College Of The Ozarks Museum, Point Lookout, MO 04/26
On a wall full of clocks, one caught my eye. It has the normal numbers for the hours but then had around the outside edge the numbers 1-31. I couldn’t figure it out. Kevin did, it is the day of the month.
A huge music room of all sorts of displays, mostly about an Ozark TV and radio station and all the guests they had on. After 3 hours we were done, and frozen, and went down the road to a tractor museum on the campus.
The tractors were all restored, mostly by students. Kevin found one sign that lists the wrong model of tractor! HA I always enjoy seeing Kevin see tractors like what he and his family had and I never get tired of hearing stories. They had a huge quilt made out of show ribbons. What a great idea!
At 4:00 p.m. we went to the main building and into the dining room to eat. We were at an odd hours so not a lot of customers this time. We like seeing the students working and training here. The food was excellent as last time. I had chicken fried chicken on top of mashed potatoes and green beans on the side. Rated: The College Visit Is A One & Done For Us, But Come Again For The Food!
Next time…our most favorite Theme Park!
*The blog posts are taken from my daily travel journal. Would you believe – it takes me a 1/2 day every week to whittle down a week’s worth of journal so it won’t be too long for the post each week. HAHA Thank you for reading!
Travel Means Life 
We have never visited the College of the Ozarks, but I would like to sometime. Although, if that museum is cold, we would probably leave. I didn’t realize the Beverly Hillbillies show was filmed in that area. Now, about that clock…I wonder if it has be to adjusted for months with less than 31 days. And what about leap year? I look forward to your next post, Charla!
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Just a few episodes were filmed there and nearby Silver Dollar City. Must have had a strong tie there at the college since the truck is there and pictures of the actors are on the walls. As for the clock, it must have been able to be adjusted manually. Although, for Februarys, it would have to be wonder around several times. 😃 Such a fun find.
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