Hot Springs National Park, C.O.P.S. Retreat, and Branson (Fall 2023)
In October 2023 we had a trip planned to Missouri to attend the C.O.P,S. Parents’ Retreat. While there we also planned to visit Hot Springs National Park and Branson, MO.
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs is another urban based park. While there are nature trails in the surrounding hills the main part of the park are the historic bathhouses in the middle of the city. We walked down bathhouse row and went into one of the bathhouses that serves as a museum. We also reserved a time in the heated pools at the Quapaw Bathhouse. After changing into swim suits you enter a pool area with three or four different temperature pools. It is a very interesting experience. Afterwards we went hiking on a nearby mountain trail. We finished our day walking around downtown and filling up an empty jug from a natural spring.
C.O.P.S. Parents’ Retreat
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) is an advocacy organization that supports families who have loved ones who died in the line of duty as law enforcement. Each year this group provides retreats for children, spouses, parents, and other loved ones of fallen police officers. Each year the parents’ retreat is held in Missouri in October. Our son, Officer Allen Jacobs, died in 2016 but we were unable to attend the parents’ retreat due to the time of the year it was held. Since we recently retired this would be the first time we attended. During the weekend we met with about 150 parents, participated in workshops, shared our story with other survivors, participated in activities like archery and canoeing, and ate meals with other parents. Our favorite activity was a 50s theme dance. We got to put into practice the dances we had learned the previous year. We dressed up as Olivia Newton John and John Travolta from the movie Grease. We were nervous but ended up having a great time. Unfortunately, we got no pictures of us dancing.
Branson, MO
Yes, we went to shows. We went to see the acapella group, Six; the bluegrass band, The Petersens; and the Titanic Museum. Finally, we climbed the observation tower on Dewey Bald Trail. We also ate at a 50s theme diner. We had a great time and will go again.
