Ozarks adventure

Stingrays and Samson

Granddaughter Elizabeth and her dad Brandon were in town on daddy-daughter summer vacation anxious to experience Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in nearby Springfield, Mo.

They’d heard a lot about it since USA Today readers voted Wonders of Wildlife as “America’s Greatest New Attraction” and “America’s Best Aquarium.”

Katie Mitchell, who manages corporate communications for Bass Pro Shops, told me the crowds (a large percentage from Arkansas) have exceeded expectations. Both attractions are nonprofits and all ticket proceeds go to assist conservation causes, Morris’ greatest commitment.

Anyone who rides the museum’s entry escalator flanked by a welcoming herd of bison understands the remarkable visuals and education that awaits.

Animal exhibits have been added since our September visit, along with a new director, Bryan Nadeau. He’s a 22-year veteran from Sea World and Busch Gardens who assumed the leadership reins of Wonders of Wildlife and other attractions owned by Morris.

During our four-hour adventure, Elizabeth, 11, was enchanted by carefree penguins playing in the “Penguin Cove” enclosure inches from her nose as they dove to flash like black and white mini torpedoes around their big diving rock. Then they’d waddle back and repeat the performance while their 24-year-old matriarch surveyed the melee from a distance.

The latest arrivals are exotic pink flamingos, mostly standing on one impossibly skinny leg as they preen and court and did, well, flamingo things. Elizabeth also relished crawling inside the plastic aquarium bubbles to become part of the watery worlds. Then she fed and petted various stingray species as they slowly flapped past in an enormous open circular tank. They swam close enough to the edge with each pass to allow her to handfeed and brush their velvet-soft skin.

There were 1.5 million gallons of various aquariums alive with 35,000 different species of fish to ogle, including 400-pound grouper and a endlessly swirling, mesmerizing, two-story bait ball of small silvery fish.

The aquarium’s latest immersive experience is called the “Out to Sea Shark Dive.” The 90-minute adventure costs extra and requires advance reservations, but also includes a combo ticket for Worlds of Wildlife, shirt, underwater camera and other extras. For the more adventurous (not Elizabeth or her grandfather), it also offers the opportunity to don an air helmet, climb into a cage and get close to enormous sea creatures such as sharks.

There is just so much to absorb from Wonders of Wildlife, attached to the Bass Pro building, it takes time afterwards to sort so many experiences and memories.

After pausing for ice cream in the aquarium cafe, it was obvious even young Elizabeth was pooped from seeing all 350,000 square feet. But she made it clear as we piled in to depart that she’s coming back. Seems she’d become particularly attached to one stingray who shared her affections.

Walls will fall

During their summer getaway, we also made sure Elizabeth and Brandon shared the experience of that truly phenomenal 2,201-seat Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, only 30 minutes from Harrison. Neither had experienced anything like this well-appointed and vast auditorium built for clarity of sound and stunning special effects.

After seeing other Bible-themed stories performed on this 360-degree, wrap-around stage, I was anxious to see the latest production of Samson.

Friends who’d already been agreed it was perhaps the best of an outstanding series. They were not exaggerating. I’ll not rehash the familiar biblical account of Samson’s hair and Delilah’s role in stealing his God-given strength. However, the live animals, skilled performers and enveloping atmosphere are unique.

I’m no theater critic. In fact, I reserve most critical opinions in this space for speed traps, factory farms misplaced in national parks, murder cover-ups and corrupt politicians.

Yet I had to agree with comments overheard after the two-hour performance with an explosive ending: “Amazing, wow, stupendous, unbelievable and absolutely wonderful.” Elizabeth said she loved it.

Silence trumps toppers

I’m not one to lecture others on their inevitable flaws and foibles. I have plenty of my own to rectify.

So consider this more of a friendly suggestion to those who find themselves unable to restrain themselves until the person speaking has completed their own thoughts: Be quiet, listen and perhaps even learn.

We see this happening every day. One person begins a story yet can’t finish the stream of thought before another interrupts with his or her own to tell. I refer to these as “toppers.”

I can’t imagine the times I’ve been guilty of rudely spouting what leaps to mind before allowing the person who began to finish.

It’s just all part of that civility thing sadly lacking in today’s “me first” society. So why not give silence a try? Next time someone begins their story, catch yourself before jumping in to top or amplify their point. After all, I never learn anything while I’m talking, right?

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