Lake of the Ozarks: nestled in the rolling hills of Central Missouri, more than a dozen friendly communities offer summer fun on the water

Travel America, March-April, 2003 by Randy Mink, Karen Mink

Bridal Cave is one of 22 show caves in Missouri, the "Cave State." Its name comes from an Indian legend about a wedding ceremony there. Couples still get married beneath its moist ceilings. In fact, nearly 1,900 weddings have taken place since 1949. You can look through photo albums showing brides and grooms over the years.

Brooding high atop a cliff at Ha Ha Tonka State Park are the ruins of a castle, the dream of a Kansas City businessman. He died soon after construction began in 1905, but his sons eventually completed the mansion in 1922. A fire in 1942, when it was being leased as a hotel, gutted the castle, whose stone walls enchant tourists today. Trails at Ha Ha Tonka lead to natural bridges, sinkholes, and a large spring.

Closer to Osage Beach is Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri's largest. It offers beaches, campgrounds, horseback riding, and nature programs. For boaters, a booklet for the Lake of the Ozarks Aquatic Trail explains shoreline highlights marked by buoys. Ozark Caverns is another park attraction.

Accommodations at the Lake of the Ozarks range from campgrounds and small resorts to condominiums and major resorts like Tan-Tar-A and Lodge of the Four Seasons. Or rent a houseboat with all the comforts of home.

Contact: Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau, (800) FUN-LAKE; www.funlake.com.