The 2008 USS Caiman Association Reunion is all set and it's time to register. The dates are from Monday May 19th to the 22nd in Branson, Missoura. Smitty and Yeo have worked hard to make this the best reunion yet. You have to come to this one. The site is at the Lodge of the Ozarks in the heart of Branson. Read on down the page for all the details. Come back to this page once in awhile as it will be updated periodically.

Registration

Registration packages went out with the January Caiman Tales Newsletter. Included with the newsletter was this registration form. Please note that you need to register before April 15th to take advantage of the special group rate.

Fill out the registration form and send it to:
USS CAIMAN ASSOCIATION
3835 B MAPLE AVE
BREMERTON, WA 98310

Want to see who's going to the Reunion? Here is a list of registered shipmates. (We will update it as we receive registrations)

Lodge of the Ozarks

The hotel is located at 3431 W. Highway 78. Here is their web site >>Lodge of the Ozarks. We have a special group rate of $77.05 (including taxes) which is good a couple of days before and after the reunion. You can get a refer in your room if you want at no extra cost. Just let them know when you make your reservation. They also have several handicap rooms. Our special room rate ends on April 15, so make your reservation before that.

Here's a few links to a maps showing the location of the Reunion at the Lodge of the Ozarks:

Mapquest to the Lodge.

Here's a Google Map

Here's a link to a web cam on the Branson Strip:  1. Branson Strip

Reunion Schedule - May 19-22, 2008

• Monday, May 19th
  • 1000 Hospitality Room Open. Early bird Registration
  • All day - Soft drinks and beer
  • 2400 Close Hospitality Room
• Tuesday, May 20th
  • 0800 Hospitality Room open. Continue Registration
  • l200-1400 Welcome Luncheon - Crystal Hall
  • 1400-1500 Business Meeting following Lunch
  • 2400 Close Hospitality Room
• Wednesday, May 21st
  • 0800 Hospitality Room open.
  • 1030 Board Buses for the Branson Belle
  • 1100-1500 Branson Belle
  • 2400 Close Hospitality Room
• Thursday, May 22nd
  • 0800 Hospitality Room Open.
  • 1600 Photography session - Meet in Lobby
    
  • 1700-2300 Cash Bar - Crystal Hall
  • 1800-2300 Banquet - Crystal Hall
  • 2400 Close Hospitality Room
• Friday, May 23rd
  • See you in two years!
  • Have a safe trip home!

Air Transportation

If you are thinking of flying the nearest airport is in Springfield, MO. The shuttle from the airport is $40 per person.

Here is a list of the airlines that fly into Springfield: American Eagle, United, Northwest, US Airways, Continental Express, and Alleginent. You can get direct flights to Springfield from Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Memphis, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Atlanta and St Louis.

RV and Camping Facilities

If you are bringing your RV, you are going to have to stay at an RV park. The city does not allow overnight use of RVs in parking lots within city limits. The closest park is Chastian's RV Resort. You should make reservations. Their number is 417-334-4414.

Here is a map showing the nearby camping facilities.

Car Rental

You can rent a car at the airport from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

We have a special rate set up with Budget. Read all about it right here.

What to Bring

• Everything sent to you about the reunion.
• Bring all those old pictures.
• Any old and moldy stuff, especially the ones that smell like the inside of the boat.
• Stories - only the true ones, of course.
• SUBVETS Please remember to bring your vests.
• Bring your Cameras and take lots of pictures.
• If you have a video camera, please bring it also. We want to put more videos on the web site.

Caiman Association Meeting

IMPORTANT: On Tuesday following lunch we will have a short business meeting to discuss a few changes in our bylaws and to elect officers. The term of office is up for all of our Association officers except Vice Commander.

Here is a look at the changes to the bylaws. We will also have copies available in the hospitality suite.

Door Prize

No reunion is complete without a door prize. Check out our door prize. It's a beautiful oil painting original of the USS Caiman underway. Tickets for the drawing can be purchased in advance when you register or anytime in the hospitality suite. We also have a whole bunch of other really great prizes. Make sure to check them out.

The Branson Belle

We are going to set the manuevering watch aboard the Branson Belle and steam around Table Rock Lake for lunch and a show. We won't be rigging for dive on this cruise, but it will be a lot of fun anyway. Maybe we can have a trim party. It will take about 3 hours. They will have a photographer at the brow to snap your pictures while you are boarding. I guess they think we will look better then compared to when we get back. Here's link to the Branson Belle web site: USS Branson Bell. Here is a video from their web site.

Branson Weather

Here are a few links to weather info

• Weather.com
• Underground Weather
• Weather Averages

Web Cams and Videos

• Branson Strip
• You Tube - Mickey Gilley sings Stand By Me
• You Tube - Ronnie Milsap sings a medley.
• You Tube - Branson Landing Fountains
• Branson You Tube Videos

Branson, Missouri Web Links - Things To Do

Things To Do Around Branson

• Branson Shows
• Yahoo Search Results
• Google Search Results

Branson Community

• City of Branson
• Branson Tourism Center

List of Free Attractions

• Table Rock Dam - Crowds gather daily just to gawk at this engineering colossus holding back the waters of the old White River.
  
  
• Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery - Believe it or not, this is one of Branson's most popular tourist sites, located below Table Rock Dam. A visitor's center has some beautiful aquariums displaying Missouri's game fish. A walk through the trout hatchery (which raises over a million trout yearly) is an especially big hit with families.
  
  
• Table Rock Lake State Park - Dewey Short Visitor's Center
  
  
• Moonshine Beach - Across Table Rock Dam. Swim at a tree-shaded, sandy beach, picnic, hike the trails, or just sit and watch the passing sailboats and the majestic Showboat Branson Belle cruising by.
  
  
• Scenic Views - One popular one is on Hwy 165. (Going South, cross Table Rock Dam, then climb the heights for a great view of Branson, the mountains, Table Rock Lake, and Lake Taneycomo. Another is the Henning State Forest Lookout, about 2 miles West of town on W. Hwy 76 .
  
  
• Camping - An abundance of campgrounds are located in the Branson area.
  
  
• Hike/Bike/Canoe/Kayak - Hiking & Biking Trails are at Henning State Forest and throughout the area. Nearby rivers to float are the James River, the Finley River, and across the Arkansas state line, the Buffalo River.
  
  
• College of the Ozarks - You won't find a more picturesque campus. Signs proclaim this mountain college "Hard Work U", owing to the 15 hours per week each student must work (for tuition) in one of over 80 campus work areas. Students maintain the lovely landscaping, with walking paths, a pond with swans and fountains, and many spots other that are great for pictures. The student-run Keeter Center Restaurant, serves fine country-style cooking. Edwards Mill Free tours of this student-operated 1880's grist mill, which produces several products you can buy on site. Ralph Foster Museum See the original Beverly Hillbillies car in this museum, which houses the area's best collections of Ozarks history. (Modest Admission Fee)
  
  
• Waterfront - Lake Taneycomo - in old downtown Branson. Under construction is Branson Landing, a beautiful area by the waterfront. Boardwalk, amphitheatre, fountains, shopping attractions, music and more. Beautiful for short walks. The shade trees and a fairly steady breeze keeps it pleasant, even on a hot summer day. Fish off the docks, feed the ducks and geese for a few pennies, stroll through the park, the dockside art galleries, or just sit and enjoy the view of the clear waters, rugged cliffs, and listen to the clip-clop of horses and carriages passing by.
  
  
• Shopping - It doesn't cost anything just to look! Branson is one of America's top shopping destinations. Outlet malls: Tanger Outlet Mall, Factory Shoppes at Branson Meadows, and Factory Merchants Outlet Mall . Downtown Branson has 101 quaint shops. In addition the town has several theme malls featuring antiques, demonstrating master craftsmen, country crafts, or flea markets.
  
  
• Stone Hill Winery - Enjoy a sparkling hour of wine making on this free tour, which ends with some fine wine tasting. (Grape juice for the kids).
  
  
• Free Sunday Shows - Several of the Branson theaters open their doors Sunday mornings for some good old gospel get-togethers, Ozark style. Hear some of your favorite Branson entertainers and musicians doing traditional gospel music . You'll mix informally with other tourists, Branson locals, and you'll spot Branson celebrities both on stage and in the audience, although often unannounced. Several enjoy taking to the stage and sharing a word about their faith. Some theaters host worship services complete with preaching and testimonies.

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