FEATURE by Marie Krolikowski
Nothing is bad when you are on the Lake From one waterway to another, these boat owners are staying put at Lake of the Ozarks
L
akes, rivers, oceans…the options of where to launch the boat are many. Each has its own appeal and unique qualities. But what is it about the Lake of the Ozarks that keeps bringing boaters back? What makes our Lake different from the rest? Omaha resident Raymond Perry II grew up boating on the Missouri River. “We are life-long visitors to the Lake and purchased a place two years ago for the family,” Perry said. “We are avid boaters and have experienced the changes at the Lake, and we left the problems of Missouri River flooding behind.” Mike Walters grew up in Minnesota and spent the majority of his childhood on the Mississippi River. “My family had a cruiser, a house- boat, a cruiser, and then moved to a cabin on Gunflint Lake in northern Minnesota,” Walters said. The family then came back to the Mississippi, and Mike himself owned a 26-foot Sea Ray Sundancer and a 30-foot Carver. After much consideration, he shipped the Carver to the Lake of the Ozarks last year. “The Mississippi was beautiful and had beaches you could pull up to,” Walters explained. “There were few restaurants along the waterway. You can take trips up and down the river, through the locks, and up the St. Croix River. Most of the appeal there was our family and friends.” Omaha Walters had always heard that Lake of the Ozarks was overcrowded and busy. Five resident years ago, a friend of his purchased a cabin on the “quiet side of the Lake.” He started spending Raymond Perry II grew up boating on the Missouri time there and was sold. “I was driving eight hours every other weekend to go to Minnesota from Kansas City for boating, River. Now the family can be found in their 30-foot and that was getting old,” Walters added. “I was spending time at my friends cabin and I saw the beauty Carver on Lake of the of the Lake. It wasn’t overly busy and I started to make friends. We did night cruises, went to restauOzarks. Photo provided rants, visited other friends on the Lake and cruised to see the fireworks.” Upon the recommendation from his friend, Walters made the decision two years ago to purchase a place of his own. A shorter drive, the fact that his family in Minnesota wasn’t boating as much, and his love for the Lake sealed the deal for him. “LOTO is a combination of life on the lake and life on the river,” Mike said. “I miss the beaches and seeing commercial barges. But with lake life, you have your own dock, swimming, tubing, visiting friends and a bed to crash on.” Walters went on to explain that the people at the Lake are friendly, and his cabin community is like a resort where everyone has a good time. Patronizing different restaurants and night boating are things he couldn’t do on the river. Walters sold his cruiser and purchased a bow rider. His advice to others thinking of making the move is from his personal experience. First, one needs to determine their needs. When it comes to a boat, do you fish, sail, have kids who want to tube? Do you want a dock or will you rent a slip at a marina? Walters suggests you know your skill level and get help where needed. Above all, make friends and generate those family memories that will last for a lifetime. In 2011, Ray and Sharon Boyd sold their Iowa lake home of 40 plus years and purchased at Lake of the Ozarks. They left East Lake in Okoboji and never looked back. The Boyd’s used to boat the Missouri River in Nebraska. They have experienced the northern part of the river which is a very beautiful area to boat and camp, as well as the southern part of the river. In Iowa, they boated all six lakes in the Okoboji area. Sharon explained that they loved boating there, but now there are too many boats, and most are too large for those lakes. Highlighting the differences between there and the Lake of the Ozarks, it’s easy to see why LOTO has become their preference. “The real estate taxes are cheaper than Okoboji and there’s more miles of water to explore,” Sharon explained. “There’s more to do at the Lake, and there’s a laid-back atmosphere and friendly people. It’s a longer drive, but it’s well worth it.” Lake of the Ozarks is much larger than any of the lakes the Boyds previously owned on or boated. The pros include plenty of
36 VACATION NEWS
April 30-May 15, 2021
