Lodging
Melody Lane Inn, Branson, Missouri (800-338-8598; www.melodylane inn.com). Within easy walking distance of major attractions.
Down Town Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs, Arkansas (888-624-5521; www.angelfire. com/ar/downtownerhs). One block from historic Bathhouse Row.
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs, Arkansas (800-643-1502; www.arlington hotel.com). Evokes the resort's golden age of 1911-1939.
Do/don't
Do be prepared to make slow progress through Branson's straggling theater district. Traffic often flows like molasses at absolute zero.
Do budget at least thirty minutes for Mount Magazine State Park's visitor center.
Don't visit Hot Springs on a weekend unless you like being kept awake as motorcycles roar along Central Avenue at 2:00 a.m.
Eat & drink
Landry's, Branson, Missouri (417- 339-1010; www.landrys seafood.com). Very busy. Specializes in seafood and has a good wine list.
Neighbor's Mill Bakery & Caf, Harrison, Arkansas (870-741-6455; www.neighbors mill.com). Their motto: "We knead your dough!"
Belle Arti, Hot Springs, Arkansas (501-624-7474; www.citiesintouch. com/bellarti). Candlelight, excellent service, top-notch Italian cuisine.
Learn more
Missouri Division of Tourism (573-751-4133; www.visitmo.com).
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism (800-628-8725; www.arkansas.com).
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau (800-214-3661; www.bransonchamber.com).
Hot Springs National Park (501-624-2701; www.nps.gov/hosp).
What we drove
Most of this challenging and inspirational route could have been created solely to delight the driver of a new Porsche 911 Carrera S. Germany's iconic sports car provided huge reserves of power and grip while riding better than expected on poor surfaces. One Hot Springs lady studied the yellow coupe for several minutes, then said, "I didn't know Ferrari made such a beautiful car."