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| Lake of the Ozarks - The Dragon Lake |
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Perhaps most noted for its complex of geologic features and formations, Ha Ha Tonka is a classic examples of "karst" topography - a landscape that is characterized by sinks, caves, underground streams, large springs and nautral bridges. Examples of all of these can be seen within a very small area of the park.
Karst topography is the result of water percolating through porous underlying dolomite bedrock and causing it to dissolve. The weathering actiong of the water on the rock after many years forms the various karst features.
Missouri is widely recognized for the karst landscape that occurs in the southern part of the state. This karst is best represented in more than 4,000 caves that are known in the state. Eight caves has so far been recorded in Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The caves, in addition to the wide variety of other karst features, make this state park one of Missouri's most outstanding karst areas and one of the nation's most important geologic sites.
Ha Ha Tonka Castle
Robert McClure Snyder came from humble beginnings, one of seven children born to John and Sarah (Pence) Snyder in Columbus, Indiana, in 1852. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were millers by trade, owning mills and grocery stores in Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri.
As a young man, Snyder moved to St. Louis in 1876 and worked in the wholesale grocery business, later branching into real estate speculation, banking and utilities. In 1904, he purchased Ha Ha Tonka Lake and Spring and immediately began constructing roads and making extensive improvements. He once said, "Here I will spend my leisure, secure from the worries of business and the excitement of city life. I will fish and loaf and explore the caves of these hills, with no fear of intrusion."
Snyder ended up with a land area of 5,00 acres. He envisioned a private retreat with a European-style castle, with a center atrium rising three and one-half stories to a skylight. Snyder also planned an 80-foot high water tower, greenhouses and a carriage house. Construction began in 1905 only to be halted a year later with the untimely death of Snyder in one of the state's first automobile accidents.
Snyder's sons finished building their father's dream, though not quite as elaborately as originally planned. Eventually, the property was leased for use as a hotel, until tragedy struck in 1942. he entire interior was gutted by fire when sparks from a chimney ignited the roof. The carriage house burned the same day and, in 1976, the water tower was burned by vandals. Today, only ruins remain.
Golfing the Lake
With 14 courses available for Lake visitors, you could play two courses a day for a week and never see the same hole twice.
The Lake's golf variety includes championship-level courses as well as family and budget-friendly choices. With tree-lined fairways, many overlooking the Lake itself, they appeal to everyone from beginners to seasoned pros.
Golfers can choose from courses such as the Bay View Golf Course, which opening in 1991 and has earned a reputation for its unique and challenging nine hole layout. Set on scenic, hilly terrain, the course offers incredible views of the Lake of the Ozarks. Most of the narrow fairways are lined with native oak and hickory trees.
Dogwood Hills Golf Club, a Lake favorite since 1962, is nestled in the beautiful wooded hills adjacent to the Lake. Generous Bermuda grass fairways, well-conditioned bentgrass greens and the ability to drive carts on the fairway make Dogwood Hills accessible to all.
Check out the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Guide for much more.
Family Fun
For those wishing to simply putt around, miniature golf is also a staple of the area.
Amateur duffers can enjoy the 11 mini-golf courses in the area with discounted prices for kids.
Pirate's Cove's features mysterious mountain caves to play through, footbridges to putt over and cascading waterfalls to putt under. Thirty-six holes championship holes are featured.
Nestled in shaded trees and Ozark terrain, Sugar Creek Mini Golf exudes the flavor of the Ozarks. Thirty-six holes weave through scenes from the 1880's. A church, saloon, main street and water well dot the landscape.
Another 36 holes are available at Putt'n Stuff, a true Ozark challenge that takes advantage of the terrain.
Go karts are another popular attraction for those seeking non-water based festivities. There are nine go-kart tracks in the area.
Big Shot's Raceway and Funpark has a turbo slick track, bullet slick track and rookie karts. "The Fastest Go-Karts at the Lake!" they say. They also feature the lake's only timed lap racing.
CastleRock has a figure eight track that takes on the Ozark's hills and has some sharp turns. It's a small enough track that you can pass someone twice while being thrilled by the speeds available. They also have a kiddie track and a slick track.
The upper part of the Bagnell Dam Strip has six batting cages with fast, medium and slow pitch machines. "Two Bit Town" features bumper boats, mini-golf and shops. There is also a Haunted House and Shooting Gallery for the true old town feeling.
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