Feature

by Vicki Wood

The emerging west side of the Lake

Keeping it close to home once again with gas prices still near $3.80, explore little-known places around our Lake area.

A trip to Stover from Osage Beach can take about 90 minutes, depending on the route. It’s an often-neglected side of Lake of the Ozarks when one thinks of tourism. But that is changing.

Ozarks International Raceway ran inaugural races in April. It’s the first stop on the

Highway 135 corridor. Ozarks International

Raceway was built by PF Racing of Kansas

City and brings high speed racing of not only their fleet of Ford Mustang Modified cars in bright pink, but also exotics and antiques on the paved course. With tickets of only $10, it’s an affordable, family friendly venue on

Highway 135.

Food & Drink

Five miles past the Ozarks International Raceway lies Ivy Bend Road, which takes Day Trippers down to lakeside relaxation. Patriot’s Point Marina has a beautiful view of the 60 mm and offers refreshment and opportunity to take in the peaceful waters and watch families cruise in for drinks.

Patriot’s Point Marina is housed in the former Rebel Docks complex. A city-style market popped up in the new marina, with Kansas City-brand Scimeca meats and foods, and other specialty Missouri products. One can find all the meats and seasoning they could want to grill out. Slushie machines provide cool drinks on tap, and a shot of your favorite spirit can be added. Sit out on the handmade lawn where giant Connect Four games and cornhole are installed on a football Food from Patio 52 Bar and Grill. field-style lawn.

Patriot Point Marina is located at 34501 Rebel Road, Ivy Bend, or the 60 MM by water.

For a complete meal on the go, visit Shady’s Shack in Ivy Bend. Some weekends the food truck is on the road to a festival. The rest of the time it’s parked in its home base down Ivy Bend Road. They offer an eclectic Mexican menu of fresh tostadas, burritos, and, if you’re lucky, freshly made tamales. Breakfast is available Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 11a.m. Build your own breakfast burrito before jumping back in the car for the next destination, or eat biscuits and gravy, donuts, or their specialty “Shipwreck” of potatoes and meat and veggies topped with gravy at their nearby picnic tables. Churros and ice cream round out their menu.

Shady’s Shack can be found at 33971 Ivy Bend Road, or the 59.5 MM by water.

Small Town U.S.A.

2022

MAY 13TH - Road Race Mania, coming to the Lake JUNE 10TH - Muscle Car Mania JULY 8TH - Let’s Get Dirty With O Road Fun Vehicles AUGUST 12TH - Rat Rods and Hot Rods SEPTEMBER 9TH - Salute to Our Front Line Workers & First Responders (Military, Police, Firefighters, EMT’s and Health Care Professionals)

On The Historic Bagnell Dam Strip

Visit a Winery

Traveling back up to Highway 135, head the car north to Timber Ridge Winery. A winding trip on the tree-lined, two-lane highway turns right to a gravel road into the woods eight miles away at Whispering Timbers Road to Fern Ridge Lane. A gorgeous log cabin building is revealed after driving the dirt road. The vaulted winery building welcomes guests with wrap-around porches and a multitude of outdoor seating. Enter the winery to find a cozy wooden and metal Photos provided venue where the owners serve up their Timber Ridge Wine produced from your favorite Missouri grapes, and also a few local surprises.

When visiting last summer, the Monroe family had just brought in a local harvest of elderberries and were prepping them for the press. They also purchase local blackberries for a house favorite vintage.

Customers rave about the Georgia Peach, but being a grape purist, opting for the Vignoles is the first glass choice. Timber Ridge Winery hosts live local artists on Friday or Saturday nights, sometimes both. Food is available on the weekends, whether it is their handy cheese and sausage trays, or a specialty barbecue meal. Timber Ridge Winery is available for private events, weddings, or a venue for local events. They often host paint and sip or sip and shop evenings and craft nights.

Timber Ridge Winery is open from Friday through Sunday afternoons at 5900 Fern Ridge Lane, Stover.

Ozark Wylde Farm

Next down the road lies a seasonal business, but nonetheless interesting. Ozark Wylde Farm is a lavender farm primarily, but also produces flowers and herbs for tea. Owner Amy Wilson grows about anything she can get her farm to offer up, including tapping maple and walnut trees at winter sap production. Ozark Wylde Farm hosts visitors in her small “she-shed” store, but at harvest time, offers an open house style tour of the farm. It’s only 2.7 miles from Timber Ridge Winery at 4962 Warren Road, Stover.

Hidden Gems

While still touring Hwy 135 South, a few conservation areas bear investigating, giving some unexplored accesses to Lake of the Ozarks. These hidden conservation areas hold mystery and a different, backwater-type experience into the wooded Lake’s northside hills.

The Wigwam School access provides a low water inlet into the Lake of the Ozarks, deep down in the wooded lands near Stover. The 78 acres of Wigwam School Access can be found by boat at the 66.2 MM on the Osage Arm or from Ivy Bend to Webb Road. A cement boat ramp sits in the bottom of a nearby hollow. The surrounding woods allow for turkey and deer hunting when in season. The Big Buffalo Creek CA outside of Stover hosts events by the Missouri Department of Conservation. On May 12, the MDC will hold Spring Warbler Day, with guests meeting at the campsite at 7:15 a.m. Don’t fret, The Ranch House Coffee Shop in Stover has you covered that early with some nice strong, cowboy brew. The meet-up will be split into three levels of hikers, with novices staying at the campground to bird watch.

Big Buffalo Creek CA is located at 23841 Big Buffalo Road, Stover.

Eat Early

You will end in Stover with an array of local favorites to choose from for dining, but don’t wait too late in the day. Most close early in this cozy endcap town of the Lake of the Ozarks.

First choice is Patio 52 Bar and Grill for dinner. The minimalist modern style restaurant incorporates not only some fantastic barbecue, but one of the best steaks in town.

The open air of the installed front garage doors overlooking the sometimes-busy tourist traffic of Highway 52 gives a kicked back place to enjoy on the patio. Beef is king in Stover; you really can’t go wrong anywhere you order it. The locally produced meat is well known in most dining establishments of Stover and Cole Camp.

Grab Some Ice Cream

Finish off your day in downtown Stover at Skelly’s Ice Cream Shoppe. A vision came to life by a local real estate agent when she purchased the vintage property and brought it back as a treat shop. Serving Central Dairy Ice Cream, Skelly’s is special because of their array of creations available. The Coffee Pot Specialty Milk Shake contains fresh cookies, syrups, and coffee ice cream. There is an ultimate 6 scoop sundae on the blackboard menu. If you haven’t already filled up at any of the dinner choices in town, Skelly’s also offers jumbo hotdogs, one of which weighs in heavy with every topping available piled on top. Car cruises are coming for this year at the 1940s renovated former Skelly’s gas station in downtown Stover.

Skelly’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Downtown Stover is located at 401 W. 2nd Street.