The Gathering .....
I missed it last year. Was actually pretty bummed about it, but it conflicted with the Durango Reunion event. They intentionally spaced it out this year, moving it from June to late August, so being one of the guys that 'bitched' about the date conflict, no way I was going to miss it. Well, I almost did. We were going to Cozumel, Mexico for my birthday to celebrate but I told mama' I'd rather do this event, which surprised her, so we changed it up and I'm headed to the Ozarks.
Last years looked to be a little on the smaller size attendance wise, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. You get to visit with folks. Get to know them. Have a great time. And I'd rather be on a 200 mile ride with 10-20 bikes than 100-200 bikes. Fact. There's another upside that occurred last year and carrying on this year. The Flatlanders ( Nebraska IIRA Chapter ) did a lot of cooking for the crowd last year, and are stepping it up and making it 'official' this year. Pay 'x' of $ , if you choose to , and 'x' amount of meals a day are included. Now folks, that is a no-brainer to me!
I spent about an hour looking over the area. Last week, we started watching OZARK on Netflix which is based around the Lake of the Ozarks, so I have to admit, I've been getting into it a lil' more than normal. This is a beautiful part of the country and it looks to have more than it's share of scenic and twisty roads to satisfy any bikers needs.
This is going to be another one I plan on riding to . That direction, it's not too bad. Looks like about 525 miles over a period of nine hours. No problem. Much of this is similar to my run to Branson over the years., with a final short up into Missouri. I'd prefer to do more two lane, more off the beaten path, but at some point you have to choose the lesser of two evils; Traffic vs Time on the Road. This is a mix of the two. So, Less than a month to go. Hard to believe, since I've got a MN trip between the two. I guarantee after Labor day, I'll be draggin' ass. And that, is a nice problem to have?
1. It’s America’s Best Recreational Lake according to the readers of USA Today in a 2016 poll (number two was Big Bear Lake in
California’s San Bernandino Mountains).
2. It’s THE Lake in Missouri. If you say The Lake everyone knows you’re talking about Lake of the Ozarks, even though neighbouring Truman Reservoir is an even bigger manmade lake.
3. There are over 60s bars and restaurants on the water, including lots of independent and family-run establishments. The best way to explore them is by boat.
4. If you rent a boat, you can “cove out” – anchor in a cove and jump out into the deliciously cool water. This is what lake life is all about.
5. The bars have amazing names. Hurricane Dolly's (which has an upside down Christmas tree), Dog Days and Shorty Pants Lounge were just a few of my favourites.
6. You can parasail and it's surprisingly relaxing. The friendly chaps at Paradise Parasail harnessed me to a parachute with a smiley face and then sped off in their boat, leaving the wind to hoist me several hundred feet up. The view was fabulous; the sensation of floating was even more fabulous.
7. You can also jet-ski, waterski, kayak, wakeboard, or do just about every watersport you can think of apart from sailing. I opted for the more genteel paddle-boarding and didn't topple in once thanks to the instructors at Franky and Louie's.
8. There are 14 golf courses if you like that sort of thing.
9. You can visit Bridal Cave. The website promises this is one of America’s “most scenic” cave tours and it did not disappoint. A knowledgeable guide led us through a series of otherworldly caves, pointing out the rock formations: vast stalagmites and stalactites, chandeliers of “soda straws”, rippling walls of “drapers” (so named because they look like curtains). The red and white rock twists and blends into gold and uncanny shapes – a tree, a bird, a wedding cake. Over 3,000 couples really have married here. The rock formations are awesome but there’s another good reason to visit Bridal Cave: it’s beautifully cool in the caves.
10. Battered and deep-fried lobster. The restaurants round here fry everything, but this is the dish to splash out on (don't cove out afterwards: you will sink).
11. The Shootout. The Lake’s biggest boat race will take place over the last weekend at a bar called Captain Ron’s. It was started in the 80s by two guys arguing over whose boat was fastest, and now a hundred or so of the sleekest, meanest vehicles roar up and down the Lake hoping to win a prize. For the thousands of people who come to watch, it’s a great excuse to crack open another beer.
12. Ha Ha Tonka State Park. If you fancy drying off, this state park has the remains of a turn-of-the-century mansion, some lovely shady walks and a crystal-clear spring which is an oasis for wildlife.
13. Frozen custard. It’s a thing in Missouri and is also called “a concrete” because it’s so thick you can turn it upside down. The proper way to eat it is smothered in sprinkles and E numbers.
Last years looked to be a little on the smaller size attendance wise, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. You get to visit with folks. Get to know them. Have a great time. And I'd rather be on a 200 mile ride with 10-20 bikes than 100-200 bikes. Fact. There's another upside that occurred last year and carrying on this year. The Flatlanders ( Nebraska IIRA Chapter ) did a lot of cooking for the crowd last year, and are stepping it up and making it 'official' this year. Pay 'x' of $ , if you choose to , and 'x' amount of meals a day are included. Now folks, that is a no-brainer to me!
This is going to be another one I plan on riding to . That direction, it's not too bad. Looks like about 525 miles over a period of nine hours. No problem. Much of this is similar to my run to Branson over the years., with a final short up into Missouri. I'd prefer to do more two lane, more off the beaten path, but at some point you have to choose the lesser of two evils; Traffic vs Time on the Road. This is a mix of the two. So, Less than a month to go. Hard to believe, since I've got a MN trip between the two. I guarantee after Labor day, I'll be draggin' ass. And that, is a nice problem to have?
__________________________________________
I mentioned the Show OZARK. Well…………..
It's a massive manmade lake with
more shoreline than California (1,150 miles, to be exact). Two other sizeable
facts: it stretches 92 miles from end to end and attracts 5 million
holidaymakers every year.
The Lake of the Ozarks is nicknamed
"The Magic Dragon" because of its serpentine shape
Midwesterners love it because all
the condos, resorts, restaurants and bars are right on the water. That's not
allowed at most American lakes, but the Lake of the Ozarks is a private
reservoir that belongs to a hydro-electric company.
They also love it because summers
are very hot and humid in Missouri and the Lake's cool, calm waters are very
inviting. Plus, you can do just about any water sport apart from surfing:
kayaking, rowing, paddle-boarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, jet-skiing,
parasailing. There are also some pretty ginormous mansions to ogle at as you
zoom along in a hired speedboat.
Jet-skiing is popular in summer
In fact, the Lake of the Ozarks is
so popular, Netflix had to film most of the drama at quieter lakes in a
different state entirely: Allatoona and Lanier in Georgia.
You will spy a few Lake of the
Ozarks landmarks in the show, though. Here's where to find them...
1.
Lover's Leap
At the end of the trailer and the
first episode, Marty and his family have their first glimpse of the Lake of the
Ozarks from this glorious viewpoint, which rises about 200 feet above the
water.
A very teeny Marty and family admire
the view from Lover's Leap at the end of episode one
Lover's Leap is located on the west
side, near the town of Linn Creek, and is one of the lake's most famous
landmarks. It's especially popular with high-school kids who come here to smoke
and drink Doctor Pepper. In fact, the Ozark crew had to do a massive cleanup of
all their trash before they could film here.
Some say it's named after an Indian
maiden who hurled herself from the bluff rather than forsake her lover, who
later fell to the same fate. Others believe this fanciful tale was made up by a
local newspaper editor.
2.
Bagnell Dam and The Strip
You can't go to the Lake of the
Ozarks without visiting the place where it all began: mighty Bagnell Dam. Back
in 1929, this dam was built to impound the Osage River, creating what was
America's largest manmade lake at the time. Bagnell Dam is 148-foot tall and
even more impressive when you learn it took over 20,000 labourers two years to
build; they worked nine to 12 hours per day for 35 cents to a dollar per hour.
You can drive or walk across it (as
Marty's son does at one point in the series), or admire it from below by going
on a cruise – Celebration
Cruises are moored at one end.
Bagnell Dam Strip is the Lake's
beating heart and it's brilliantly kitsch. Whether you're after a tattoo, a
pair of sunglasses or an ice cream, this colourful street of bars and stores
will provide. Netflix filmed a scene at the arcade and in Stewarts
Restaurant, a no-frills diner where you can breakfast on "The BIGGEST
Cinnamon Roll at the Lake", which is the size of a human head and arrives
swimming in frosting.
Jason Bateman was also a fan
of Trucker's
Shuckers, a popular oyster bar which does a mean Bloody Mary.
3.
Alhonna Resort
Ozark was written by Missourian Bill
Dubuque who had a summer job at the Lake of the Ozarks when he was in high
school. He worked at Alhonna
Resort & Marina, which you can find at the eight-mile marker
(everything is mapped according to its distance from the dam).
Like lots of the Lake's resorts,
it's a family-run place, right at the water's edge. You don't have to be a
guest to park your boat in the dock and enjoy a burger and a beer at the
laidback restaurant. You won't actually see Alhonna on screen but it did
inspire the resort in Ozark – Blue Cat Lodge.
4.
The Blue Heron Bluff
The second viewpoint in the show is
near the Blue
Heron, a fancy restaurant with panoramic views where you can indulge in a
local delicacy: battered and deep-fried lobster. It's located at 180 Blue Heron
Hill Lane, off the Horseshoe Bend Parkway, which isn't far from the Strip.
To get to the bluff, ignore the
righthand turnoff to the restaurant and take the lefthand one instead
– the one with the "Dead End" sign. A short walk will bring you
to a panoramic vista you'll have all to yourself, but be careful: there are no
railings and it's a very long way down.
5.
The Glory Hole
Finally, look out for
hole-in-the-wall bar The Glory Hole, which you can find at 77 Mockingbird Beach
Drive, Camdenton. Be warned: this is no hipster pretender. A local described it
like this: "Usually you go to a bar and tell the bartender your problems;
there, the bartender tells you her problems."
13 Top reasons... to visit "The Lake"
2. It’s THE Lake in Missouri. If you say The Lake everyone knows you’re talking about Lake of the Ozarks, even though neighbouring Truman Reservoir is an even bigger manmade lake.
3. There are over 60s bars and restaurants on the water, including lots of independent and family-run establishments. The best way to explore them is by boat.
4. If you rent a boat, you can “cove out” – anchor in a cove and jump out into the deliciously cool water. This is what lake life is all about.
5. The bars have amazing names. Hurricane Dolly's (which has an upside down Christmas tree), Dog Days and Shorty Pants Lounge were just a few of my favourites.
6. You can parasail and it's surprisingly relaxing. The friendly chaps at Paradise Parasail harnessed me to a parachute with a smiley face and then sped off in their boat, leaving the wind to hoist me several hundred feet up. The view was fabulous; the sensation of floating was even more fabulous.
7. You can also jet-ski, waterski, kayak, wakeboard, or do just about every watersport you can think of apart from sailing. I opted for the more genteel paddle-boarding and didn't topple in once thanks to the instructors at Franky and Louie's.
8. There are 14 golf courses if you like that sort of thing.
9. You can visit Bridal Cave. The website promises this is one of America’s “most scenic” cave tours and it did not disappoint. A knowledgeable guide led us through a series of otherworldly caves, pointing out the rock formations: vast stalagmites and stalactites, chandeliers of “soda straws”, rippling walls of “drapers” (so named because they look like curtains). The red and white rock twists and blends into gold and uncanny shapes – a tree, a bird, a wedding cake. Over 3,000 couples really have married here. The rock formations are awesome but there’s another good reason to visit Bridal Cave: it’s beautifully cool in the caves.
10. Battered and deep-fried lobster. The restaurants round here fry everything, but this is the dish to splash out on (don't cove out afterwards: you will sink).
11. The Shootout. The Lake’s biggest boat race will take place over the last weekend at a bar called Captain Ron’s. It was started in the 80s by two guys arguing over whose boat was fastest, and now a hundred or so of the sleekest, meanest vehicles roar up and down the Lake hoping to win a prize. For the thousands of people who come to watch, it’s a great excuse to crack open another beer.
12. Ha Ha Tonka State Park. If you fancy drying off, this state park has the remains of a turn-of-the-century mansion, some lovely shady walks and a crystal-clear spring which is an oasis for wildlife.
13. Frozen custard. It’s a thing in Missouri and is also called “a concrete” because it’s so thick you can turn it upside down. The proper way to eat it is smothered in sprinkles and E numbers.
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