Are the Beds Comfortable?

No one asks me this question.

Are the beds comfortable at our vacation houses?

Last month our family rented a beach house in Florida. We were thrilled that we would be staying in a vacation home that had the Atlantic Ocean as our backyard.

The photos showed flat screen TVs, and the owners said the house had been completely rehabbed and renovated just 3 years ago. So we assumed that everything was no older than 3 years and would be in good shape.

I didn't even think to ask about the beds. Mike called the bed we slept in a "Chinese torture bed" because the pillow top on it was so very slanted. We still had a lovely vacation, but all week he kept talking about how he was looking forward to going home to sleep in his own bed. Mike had even mentioned leaving a negative review because of how horribly uncomfortable the bed was.

Comfortable beds are different for every person. Some people prefer a soft bed, some people prefer a hard bed, and some people prefer a bed like baby bear's...just right. But the beds at this beach house were not comfortable for anyone in our family.

I had checked the reviews, and no one had mentioned uncomfortable beds. And the beds are important when you are on vacation! You spend a minimum of 30% of your time in bed. And if you figure in some naps and extra sleeping in, time spent in bed could reach 40-50% on some days.

So when you are looking for a vacation home rental, read the reviews for mentions of the beds. Ask the owners if guests ever comment on how the beds are (if there is no mention, that doesn't mean the beds are terrible...but if there is mention of how wonderful the beds were, then score!).

This morning I contemplated the reasons why I had not gotten out of bed yet (we are currently at Nature's Retreat). Here are the top three reasons that I decided why I did not want to get up:

3. I stayed up very late the night before.
2. I am on vacation.
and the top reason...

1. The bed is just soooo comfortable!

Guests have actually asked where our beds are from so they can purchase the same mattress set for their own home. One guest even wanted to give a set for a wedding gift!

We want you to have a wonderful time while you are staying in our vacation homes. And we know that a good sleep in a comfortable bed is a key secret to a memorable getaway.

Read about it from our past guests, in over 100 reviews between Canyon Retreat and Nature's Retreat. Then call me to make a date with our beds.

Tyann Marcink

636.584.3864

Parakeet Pete's Waterfront Zipline

Yes, you read that correctly - another zipline in town! Could there be too many zips in the area? Maybe. But each one excels at different levels of adrenaline rushes.

The newest one will have you zipping over Lake Taneycomo, which none of the others do. And, they have a chairlift if you still want the view but don't want to strap on the zipping harness.

This zip will be another excellent one for families and large groups to experience together. And, you will want to make sure you have your camera handy for some amazing views of the downtown area from an observation deck on Mt. Branson.

You can make your reservations and check out photos at www.bransonzipline.com.

Zippers will land in the area of the Nativity Scene on the right of this photo of the Landing fountains. Note that the attraction will not be open while the Nativity Scene is on display.

Sweet Mother of a Deal for Zip Lines and Titanic Museum

So this is an AWESOME deal I found! You can pick this up from Radio Talon, another radio station that sells tickets they have received for advertising.

The Adventures Zipline of Branson rides are just $30 each (regular price is $60). And when you spend $100 or more with Radio Talon, you receive a FREE family pass (up to 2 adults and 4 kids) to the Titanic exhibit, with audio (a $68 value).

Here is the list of other great discounted tickets to shows you may be interested in.

And here is how you do it, straight from the radio's website:

1. Call (678-0940, 235-6041, 800-928-5253) or stop in at the radio station at 126 S. Jefferson in Aurora to see if we have the certificates you want.   
2. Call the show or hotel to make a reservation.  Tell them you will be using a certificate from the radio station, and they will give you a confirmation number. 
3. Purchase your certificate from the radio station in person or by phone with a credit card.  We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. 
4. Take your certificate to the show to receive your tickets or to the hotel to check in for your lodging. You will be charged sales tax upon redemption.

Easy peasy to save a lot in Branson!

Hristos Voskrese

Jacob, Tyann, Joey, Mike, and Noah

Our annual Easter family photo. Looks like sitting on the couch is becoming our usual pose.

This is our living room, with my husband's grandmother's artwork in the background. Nina came to the United States from Russia when she was 8 years old. The family tale includes that her family came from a line of royalty...maybe she was a Russian princess?

Nina was wonderfully and artistically talented. Her art was to create rugs. Yes, rugs. She would purchase burlap the size of the rug she wanted to make, whether a small picture size or a large area rug.

Then, she would take wool fabric, many times picking up wool clothing from garage sales, stripping it to small pieces. Nina dyed the wool to the colors she wanted and set to hooking the wool, creating the rug artwork.

Click on the picture to see the details.

Nina's pieces were her own masterpieces. Sometimes she even created pieces mimicking a famous painting. My husband's favorite piece of hers was her rendition of Van Gogh's Starry Night. Unfortunately, that piece was lost after Nina passed away.

We had the piece hanging in our living room professionally framed and cleaned so that we can enjoy it. The scene is of an idyllic countryside, including a horse and buggy, a small village, and birds flying over the mountains. Nina's attention to detail is amazing.

In memory of Nina, Hristos Voskrese (Christ has risen!). He has risen indeed!

Spring Special at Nature's Retreat!

April is my favorite month of the year - so much so that I planned our wedding for April, 13 years ago. Spring is beautiful with all the new beginnings around us. The flowers and trees are blossoming, fresh wind blows through the air, and the rejuvenating rains wash the winter away.

To celebrate, we have 2 choices of specials for the month of April at Nature's Retreat. Choose either 20% off your entire stay (cleaning fee not included in the discount), or stay 3 nights and receive the 4th night free!

Be sure to call or email as soon as you have your days picked out, as the open dates won't last very long.

Don't forget that Nature's Retreat is the ONLY 5 bedroom in the Branson area that also has:

• all king size beds in 5 bedrooms
• 4 full bathrooms
• a 700+ sq. ft. family room with pool table, foosball table, and big screen TV
• 15 x 12 deck with gas grill
• TV/DVDs in all of the bedrooms

The nature trail is just outside our door, and there's a beautiful little waterfall when the creek is high enough. We are only 5 minutes to the grocery stores in Hollister and 10 minutes to the Branson Strip and Branson Landing.

Yes, there's a lot to do in Branson, but Nature's Retreat is also a wonderful place to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your family and friends!

636.584.3864

tyann@vacationhomeinbranson.com

Branson is 100 this Year and We are on Pinterest!

Happy Birthday, Branson! This is an exciting year for Branson, Missouri, and there are many, many events planned to celebrate. Keep up with the calendar of events, or how about on their Facebook page with the most recent happenings for the birthday.

Or how about 100 ways to celebrate?!?! Here are just a few of the suggestions:

• 17.Read the book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright.
• 18.Learn to play the fiddle.
• 21.Invite some Girl Scouts to celebrate their 100th birthday with us in Branson!
• 72.Plant a garden of heirloom tomatoes.
• 73.Gather 100 people for a centennial trash pick-up day.
• 75.Walk 100 miles in Branson on our trails, through Downtown, our parks, your neighborhood or along 76 Country Blvd.
• 76.Try to catch 100 fish in Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake.
• 79.Golf 100 holes at our area courses per month…that’s about 5 ½ rounds.
• 80.Drive 100 laps on a go-cart.
• 81.Take and log 100 photos of your favorite places in Branson

And here is the complete list from their website.

Are you on Pinterest? Follow our Branson, Missouri board for ideas on activities for when you visit Branson!

Ready for a Branson Getaway?

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family and friends. Since you had such a great time, why not spend a weekend getaway or a week vacation in Branson with them? There are some prime summer dates still available, as well as some awesome Spring Break, spring, and early summer openings.

Visit our website www.vacationhomeinbranson.com for the current availability calendars for both homes and call us today to reserve your getaway in our fabulous vacation homes!

Mike and Tyann Marcink
636.584.3864