ILMOTOR--2010-- Part 11-- Lake of the Ozarks

I spent a lot of time in the morning just sitting outside the room at Shawnee Bluff Motel and enjoying the view of Lake Ozark. Not many boats out and lots of birds singing around the place. One in particular had an interesting little song. It kept going and returning to one branch at the top of a tree.

They definitely need to invest in new tables at least on our level, as they were more than a little shaky. I wrote in my journal in an attempt to stay current.


BAGNELL DAM

After we checked out, we drove a couple miles to the Bagnell Dam and the "Strip" which is a group of tourist traps, restaurants and motels mostly along one side of US-54. I always love tourist traps and love to visit them. We went to two places: Summer USA and Dogpatch. Although both had loads of neat stuff, I managed to get out without a purchase. Summer USA has all things Jimmy Buffett and water-related.

Drove over the dam and went to a park offering a scenic overlook of the lake behind the dam and a full-size turbine that used to provide electricity. It is on the other side of the road from the Lodge which serves at a Lake of the Ozarks museum and visitors center and used to be a hotel.

We also drove down to the bottom of the dam on the Strip side of the river.

We had a buy one, get one free coupon for one of my favorite burger joints, Made-Rite, and stopped for lunch there before leaving for Lebanon and Route 66.

How Do You say Messy Burger. So That's Why They Give You a Spoon. --RoadDog