For nearly two decades, my family and I have been regular visitors to Branson. We've gone often enough that one of "firefighters" manning the Fire In The Hole ride, at Silver Dollar City, knows us on first sight. When we first went down, there were only two little kids along...then, three...then, four. Now, we are counting backwards and are back down to two kids that can find the time to accompany mom and dad. Next year, it will probably just be Harrison, the youngest.

Speaking of Harrison, he came home with a new favorite star: CHARO! Yes, Charo of "Cuchi-Cuchi" fame. She was appearing with the legendary Andy Williams at his Moon River Theatre. Now, there is much more to Charo than the "Cuchi-Cuchi." She is a world-class classical guitarist. Also, the energy she puts into her performance is second to none. She is all over the stage and, from time to time, off the stage! When Charo closed her show with Love Is In The Air, it was more than just a song for at least one member of the audience. Harrison was smitten. (That word sounds much better, and less actionable, than "obsessed.")

Of course, Andy Williams, himself, was perfect. He sang the hits with some nice surprises thrown in. His voice sounds better than ever and his on-stage manner is the same mid-western friendliness we all remember from his hit TV show. The band is stupendous. The Moon River Theatre is one of prettiest places to see a show anywhere in the country. All-in-all, it was a great Thursday evening.

The next day, for lunch, we went to Andy Williams' Moon River Grill. While there, the waiter, Clint, mentioned that Andy and Charo usually come over to the restaurant after the show to visit with folks. Harrison's eyes lit up. A chance to actually meet Charo. We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening riding roller coasters. The kids did Powder Keg, ten times in a row and a total of 18 times over the two days. They rode Ozark Wildcat about a dozen times. In the old days, I could make it, too. Now, about three rides and I'm done.

We went back to the hotel around 8:00 p.m. on Friday to get cleaned up a little. I'd like to say that Harrison took a 30 minute shower and applied liberal amounts of after-shave in advance of his potential meeting with the object of his desires. That would make for a funnier story. However, since in just telling this tale I'm running the risk of having him never speak to me again, I'd better not embellish. We meandered down the street to the Moon River Grill, arriving around 9:00 as suggested by Clint. The place was pretty quiet. We got our window-side booth...ordered french fries and desserts. Well, my wife ordered a salad. Her and her annoying will-power. As Harrison and I devoured our chocolate Volcano Cakes, he was murmuring vague threats against Clint..."He'd better be right about this! She'd better show up!" I urged Harrison to get the chocolate off his face just in case. He, naturally, used his shirt sleeve. Harrison was pretty clear that he would have plenty to say if Charo showed up! He was also mentally charting out his dance moves.

Just as we finished up our weird little order, a white SUV pulled up and out stepped Charo. True, she was holding hands with a man but Harrison ignored that. Soon, she was in the room. At this point, let me mention that Andy Williams was also there visiting each table. It had been about 16 years since I was lucky enough to interview him in the dressing room of his then-new theatre. He was gracious enough, this time around, to pretend he remembered that chat. Anyway, you couldn't meet a kinder, gentler superstar than Andy Williams. Meanwhile, back at Charo Watch 2007:

She came over to our table and asked Harrison his name to which he suavely replied "My name is Harumph eokb lkmmm gole siile smxx effghelvel." That is an exact quote. He got a little tongue-tied. Well, not just a little. The fact is he could have earned a merit badge for an entire Scout troop with the knot he created in his taste bud buddy. His helpful sister, Samantha, whipped out her cell-phone to capture this moment for posterity as Charo pulled Harrison in close for the photo-op. It is a great shot and Harrison looks pretty calm, cool and collected, proving the camera does, sometimes, lie. Charo visited for awhile about speaking Spanish and playing the guitar then moved onto the next happy table. It was at that moment that Harrison became coherent again.

Of course, you're thinking that this interest in Charo will eventually run out of steam and you're probably right, but, until then I guess we'd better get used to a 12 year old yelling "Cuchi-Cuchi" at random and whistling Malaguena in his sleep.