Postcards from the Lake

Archive for September, 2008

Old Tyme Apple festival in Versailles

Apples, apples and more apples! 

One of Missouri’s most popular festivals takes place this week in Versailles – just minutes north of the Lake of the Ozarks.  Held the first weekend of October each year, the Old Tyme Apple Festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors each year.    Mardi Gras is the the theme of this year’s festival, which gives us the promise of seeing lots of glitz and glamour in Saturday morning’s parade.  

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 AM, so arrive early enough to find a good viewing position.  A shuttle service is available from the high school parking lot, so don’t let the concern for parking keep you away.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Author: | September 30th, 2008
Categories: Area Activities
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Ha Ha Tonka State Park Castle Ruins

Popular Stop for Visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks

European-style castle ruins resting upon the highest bluff in the Lake

 area is the focal point of one of Missouri’s most fascinating state parks.

 

Built originally by a Kansas City businessman the castle was first utilized as a mansion retreat, and later as a hotel. Gutted by fire in the 1940′s, and purchased by the State of Missouri in the 1970′s, the castle ruins inspire awe when viewed by land or water or sky.

Located just 5 miles from Camdenton’s Town Square, Ha Ha Tonka state park is a geographical wonderland of rock formations, bluffs, caves, sinkholes, hiking trails, springs and lush vegetation that has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

This park is a favorite place for me to steal away an hour or two in the afternoon when I’m in need of a bit of a retreat.  Somedays I enjoy sitting on benches near the castle just to enjoy the quiet – and in the summer months – to do a bit of people watching.

Look for lots of posts in the weeks and months to come about our area parks – such as The Lake of the Ozarks State Park and the near-by Katy Trail.  There’s so much to see and enjoy, and no doubt there’s many parts of them I haven’t seen yet.  If you have a favorite activity or spot at one of these parks, I would love to hear about them.

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Author: | September 30th, 2008
Categories: Area Activities
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Lake of the Ozarks to be free of white foam

Dec. 3 marks the deadline for dock owners to have replaced all non-encapsulated foam flotation with encapsulated floats approved by AmerenUE.   The problem with the non-encapsulated foam was that it would tend to break away from docks, creating a real eyesore along the shoreline; not to mention the hazard it posed to boaters.

AmerenUE currently estimates about 90% compliance, and has begun taking aerial photos of the shoreline – documenting structures that have not yet replaced their old foam.  

With efforts this fall by AmerenUE to begin contacting owners not yet in compliance, along with the volunteer efforts of many groups and individuals participating in the Fall shoreline cleanup;  the days of seeing and dodging unsightly foam blocks are coming to an end.

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Author: | September 30th, 2008
Categories: Area Activities
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