Hummingbird Inn Bed and Breakfast --- AND Romantic Weddings

Once you turn off Hwy 160 onto Hampton Road, you quickly find yourself on a winding country road, canopied by a forest of trees so thick it is often difficult to see the sky.  Nearly completely hidden by these trees is an old milking shed near a watering hole visited by all sorts of wildlife.  Then you come to a three-tined fork in the road; taking the middle tine straight ahead brings you to a view not unlike hundreds in the Branson Ozarks.  The trees part to reveal a breathtaking panorama of tree covered hills, accented by the Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower.  Perched on a high ridge overlooking the hills north of Branson is the Hummingbird Inn Bed and Breakfast. 

When you are guests at the Inn, whether for a day or a week, for a vacation or for a family reunion, for a wedding or an anniversary, you are treated like royalty by your hosts Ron and Sherry.  Luxurious suites, delicious home-made breakfasts, as well as dinners available made-to-order, gardens, country air, and down-home hospitality are just a few of the amenities that will have you promising to return soon!

If you are looking for the perfect place for a perfect wedding, the Hummingbird Inn will make your special day, well --- perfect! Wedding ceremonies are performed in the gazebo, in the garden, in front of the fireplace, under the grape-covered arbor, in the country barn, or in the meadow under a flowered trellis. Everything you need for an intimate wedding party for 2 to 40 can be provided. 

It is my honor and pleasure to be the wedding photographer at the Inn.  We have so much fun getting to know the bride and groom as well as their guests.  Here I am showing a sampling of recent weddings.

Jacob and Veronica

Chris and Shelley

Pat and Kim

Adam and Lauren

For a wedding photographer the Hummingbird Inn is a paradise.  For that matter, it's a paradise for guests, too!

An Old-Fashioned Ferris Wheel

Sitting next to the Ozark Wildcat roller coaster at the now closed Celebration City amusement park in Branson, Missouri is this old-style, yet colorful, Electric Star Wheel.  Celebration City was opened in 2003 as a small town America and beachside boardwalk themed amusement park.  Apparently the wilder rides found in other parks, including sister park Silver Dollar City, were more attractive to today's adventurers.  Celebration City closed in October 2008.  It still stands, silently.

Much of the park is visible from the hills surrounding it and from the roads bordering the property (from where I took these shots).  I like looking at the park as it reminds me of the local carnivals when I grew up.  These rides were also more my speed, though my son has gotten me on a couple of the tamer water rides at Silver Dollar City.

I don't know what the future holds for this property.  It's sad to see it all just sit there.  But the memories it evokes are very fun to revisit.

Thanks for taking a look.  Better yet, come to Branson and see it for yourself --- and visit all the exciting shows and attractions that are up and running!

The Ozark Wildcat Sits In Silence

What looks like a relic from the days of wooden roller coasters, I was surprised to find that the Ozark Wildcat at the now closed Celebration City in Branson, Missouri, is actually only seven years old.  It operated from May 1, 2003 until October 28, 2008 when Herschend Family Entertainment decided to close the amusement park at the west end of the Branson "strip". 

The future of the park and the Wildcat remain uncertain at this date, though at a cost of $4 million to build, I can't imagine this wooden wonder would be torn down.  However, stranger things have happened, so I took some time to get some shots of it. 

The area was eerily quiet except for the wind blowing through the complex angles and curves.  As I was reviewing the images from the site I was underwhelmed, expecting to see some exciting depth of field, criscrossing shadows, and the faintest hint of a ghost of a train careening past at top speed of over 45 mph.  The time of day was just too close to high noon, the air too heavy with increasing humidity, and the sky white with haze.  Knowing what I need to look for in a future shoot of the Wildcat, I did have fun with the shots I took today.  It was just too tempting to add some special effects, Photoshop style....... so I did!

There is a great old-fashioned Ferris Wheel next to the Wildcat.  I'll post those photos soon!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Barb

Coming Soon!

A new blog featuring the photographic art of Hampton Road Photography, Branson, Missouri.