Lake of the Ozarks

I interned at Lake of the Ozarks 10 years ago. Ever since, I try to make it back every summer. I recommend spending at least two nights there to really enjoy it, but unfortunately, I only spent a quick night there.

Stayed where I interned at Tan-Tar-A Resort. Their staff was terrific and so helpful. It's a scenic part of the lake. They have a beautiful pool by the lake where I took these shots:

Had a terrific dinner at Shorty Pants. I always have to stop there for their Asian Shrimp Salad. It has a beautiful, peaceful lake view.

Had breakfast at On the Rise. It was my first time there and didn't disappoint.

Now I miss the lake all over again!

Lake of the Ozarks

After missing my yearly lake trip last year, I was so excited to finally be back at the lake. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri is five hours from where I live in Manhattan, Kansas. It's a beautiful resort town. Three and a half hours of the drive is on I-70, which means it's pretty boring except while going through Kansas City.

Eight years ago, this summer I interned at Tan-Tar-A Resort. I was a banquet intern and worked as a hostess at two restaurants on the resort. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a banquet intern. I have a lot of great memories there.

Once at the lake we checked into our hotel, Tan-Tar-A Resort. We like to stay in the Estates which is off the resort and feels more secluded.

Pretty, right? That night, we had dinner at Shorty Pants.They have the best Asian Shrimp Salad there.We always love the food here.

Next, we headed to Woody's, a dive bar to play pool. After that, we went to Topsider, my favorite club ever. They had a really good band there called,Queens Blvd. They play songs from a variety of eras and other bands. They rapped and sang country. They did it all so well. They actually played both nights we went to Topsider and we enjoyed hearing them. We wondered if they have any of their own songs.

Saturday, we went to the Arrowhead deck pool at Tan-Tar-A. I love that pool because it overlooks the lake. Here, I partook of my annual pizza and strawberry daiquiri. :)

After some time at the pool, we jet skied. We love to jet ski so much! The lake was busy, so the water was pretty choppy; it almost made me seasick. I laugh and scream the whole time! I get going fast and scare myself a lot. :)

That night, we went for dinner to Mexicali Blues. They have the best salsa and shrimp tacos!

We did a little shopping at the Osage Beach Premium Outlet. They've got a great selection of stores and a nice layout.

Before we left, we got lunch at City Grille. They make a terrific Ultimate Chicken Sandwich. I LOVE their cole slaw!

It was hard to leave, but I'm already ready to visit again next year!

Travel

I'm always planning a trip, that's just how I work. I love having things to look forward to. So now that the Ireland trip has been scratched, I'm in the beginning stages of planning several smaller trips this summer. They include Savannah, GA; Lake of the Ozarks, MO; and Chicago. I've never been to Savannah or Chicago and have friends there that have invited me to visit. So, all I'm waiting for is the summer class list to post mid-February, so I can know when the class I'm taking will be. This fall, over Thanksgiving we're planning a family trip to Branson, MO. My aunt, uncle, cousin, and her kiddos will be going. I haven't seen some of them in at least two years, so it should be a wonderful adventure. :)

I'm most looking forward to feeling the sun on my skin, time off work, shopping, and a change in scenery.

Are you planning any trips?

Travel

Growing up, we never traveled much. We'd travel to see family or to tourist destinations in the off season. In high school, my senior class and I were the first class ever to plan a senior trip out of state. We worked together to raise money and we did. We went to Daytona Beach, Florida. We went to Orlando to Universal Studios. We stayed on the beach. It was my first time seeing the ocean and I couldn't get enough. Actually, none of us could get enough; so much so that we all got fried. The sunburns were of epic proportions, but it's a trip I'll never forget. I built my first and only sandcastle. My classmates laughed, because at the airport a little kid had the same sandcastle making set I got at Walgreens. :) The trip there was only my second time on an airplane. Since then, I can't even tell you how many times I've flown.

In college, I traveled to Cali for spring break one year. Spent time in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur. Big Sur was gorgeous! I love the ocean, though it was too cold to get in. Water came from Alaska and it was quite chilly. I also, took a trip to Cancun my senior year. What a blast! We stayed at an all-inclusive resort. I went snorkeling for the first time. Everything was so beautiful! In college, I interned at a resort in Lake of the Ozark, Missouri. What a fun place in the summer. I spent the whole summer on the lake or working with a lake view and I was spoiled by it. Now, every summer I yearn for the lake. I was fortunate enough to be able to return there every summer after until this year. It's always on my summer list.

Since then, I traveled a lot in my last job (Seattle twice, El Paso, San Antonio twice, Fort Hood/Austin twice, Fort Bragg/Raleigh, Fort Benning/Atlanta. It was nice, but then it got a little old, though I don't think I'd trade it for anything.

A year and a half ago, I went to Italy and it was wonderful. I remember smiling the whole time, soaking everything in, and taking pictures of literally everything, because I didn't want to forget one thing about that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Those who know me well, know that I'm always planning a trip somewhere; it gives me something to look forward to. So right now, I've given up on a spring break trip since I'm saving up for Ireland. I'd love to go to the Lake of the Ozarks again, but we'll see. A friend of mine is moving back to Hawaii soon, so I'll always have a place ot stay on the Big Island and Hawaii just so happens to be high up on my travel list. ;)

A Summer Without the Lake

Every summer since I interned there, the summer of 2006, I've returned to the Lake of the Ozarks; except this year. This year, a six-year tradition was broken. It generally doesn't feel like summer unless I've had my lake trip. This summer feels all out of sorts. Schedule-wise the trip just didn't work this summer. Between trying to find someone to go with and working around my intense summer class schedule, it just didn't happen. In all actuality, not much fun happened this summer. This summer, I was a bookworm. So why do I love the lake? Well, lots of reasons:
1) at the lake I feel carefree and like I'm still in college. I have a million memories from my summer interning there. I'm perpetually 22 there.
2) the lake is so peaceful and beautiful
3) the shopping outlets
4) the lakeside restaurants; breath-taking
5) dancing is the best at the lake; I miss Topsider
6) Jet skis make me happy. There's nothing like letting loose on a jet ski and maxing it out at 49mph, freaking out at how fast I'm going, then laughing and doing it again.
7) Everyone is friendly at the lake
8) My favorite moment of the year always happens right there. It's simple, but the highlight of my year; my pool and lakeside frozen strawberry daiquiri and pepperoni pizza moment. I miss that! :(
I guess, I knew my lake tradition wouldn't last forever. Maybe next year...