Got to agree with JJ. Go for the Shootout and stay through Labor day. You'll be there for 2 of the best weekends.

We did this last year and plan on doing it again this year. Its nice, in that after the Shootout weekend, the lake's pretty quiet and you get some good relaxation time, and you get well rested for some hard partying over Labor Day wknd!!! If you're thinking about 2 wknds anyway, this will save you 2 days of trailoring.
Definately my 1st choice.

Shootout weekend you get to hang with a lot of OSO'rs and meet a lot of new people and see some seriously fine boats. Party Cove is a little sow. Labor Day weekend at Party Cove is hoppin!!!

Never been over the 4th, but planning on going this year

Memorial Weekend would be my last choice, only because its cooler and weather is a crap shoot. Last Year on Sat, it was cloudy, 70*, and sprinkled off and on. Sun was perfect at 85*-90* and mostly sunny. I'm probably gonna role the dice and still go this year too.

HEY GETTIN BYE DO LIKE ME AND GO TO ALL FOUR. HOW BIG IS YOUR BOAT? THE FOURTH OF JULY MAKES MY 33 OUTLAW FEEL LIKE A JON BOAT OUT THERE. I DON'T THINK THERE IS A BAD WEEKEND TO GO BUT SOMETIMES THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND IS A LITTLE UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER WISE.

anyone have an address i can use to find it on mapquest?..... From the looks of it im like 1200 miles away... damn thats a long drive...

Opened my Lake of the Ozarks visitors guide and the first address I see is this:

Comfort Inn
5885 Highway 54 West
Osage Beach, MO 65065

It's in the center of town. About 2 minutes walking time to the lake!! Good an address as any for travel distances.

only been once-- but what a party!! We wewnt for July 4 last year, from thursday to monday, my liver couldn't take anymore. I'm trying to plan on going on again this year and July 4th will be my aim, just fits better with my schedule and you know it's going to be hot---tends to shed clothing easier---
I tried to attach a photo but was too big

Thanks... and damn... that is a long drive 1245.41 from my house to the comfort inn.... Hmmm...
lets break it down.

140 gallons of gas (at 9MPG)
7 fill-ups
$196 at 1.40 a gallon
20 hours and 50 minutes roughly at 60 MPH
Hotel room... $45

WOW... thats only 1 way!!

Thanks guys, this is the kind of respose I was hoping to get. Is making my decision both harder and easier at the same time. Wish LOTO was closer to me so I could do them all.

Jesse James
I will have to trust your 27 years of experience. You may have a good plan. What are the dates for the shootout in 2003?

Waterfoul
Memorial may be a little cool so I may hold off on that. Still looking forward to your trip to Cumberland and meeting you there. Any ideas on when yet?

Buck #183
You may be correct on planning our trip to correspond with Nort's trip(s).

jt29olhp500s
I like the idea of a 3 dayer!

MnFastBoat
Sorry to hear about your bad rib experience. I must agree with you on the water cannon thing. If I never see another one or a water ballon slingshot I will be a happier person, however I do realize that this is also part of the Party Cove.

outlawinil
We will be comming in a 36 Outlaw. I am aware of the condition the lake can get in chop wise. Our first trip was in a Baja 260. What a treet. Was finding myself running with tabs down and drive trimmed in just to plow through it. The 36 is much better as long as you can get on top of it and stay there.

ChrisK
Expensive? - Yes. Worth it? - YEP imo.
You only live once and we arn't getting any younger.

Will just have to see what we can pull off and what my "navigator" will allow.

Leaning toward the 4th and hopefully the shootout as well. Staying several days both trips.

Again thanks and see you there.

Mark

Definately the Shootout weekend!

Hang out at Big Thunder some afternoon. Lot of old boat racers drinkin' and telling lies!

the shootout will be August 23-24.

chad

JBK

Thanks for the dates. We always take some time off in August. Usually a week or two before but what the heck.

Mark