"It's like Las Vegas, if it were run by Ned Flanders."

I have braved the bizarre family flytrap known as Branson, Missouri, and I have come back more or less intact. Vacation stress caused a small rash on my arm (originally from lawn mowing; plant oils and I don't get along) to blossom into something angry and irritated, so it takes all my self-control to not scratch it violently. Honestly, though, it wasn't a bad trip, despite all the difficulties that family, occasional miscommunication, and a 16-month-old can bring. the_z is exhausted, but we still managed to have a good time regardless.

Also, I have tasted the joys of driving a fully loaded SUV on a family trip (DVD player, GPS system, and all the trimmings), and I have to say it's a wonderful way to travel... well, other than the fuel costs. Thank goodness that Branson has some of the lowest gas costs in the nation right now ($3.36 a gallon).