A Question for LOTO regulars
 

I am planning on trailering out to LOTO for at least one trip in the comming year.

I am aware of the big three weekends (Memorial Day, 4th of July,
Labor Day) and The Shoot Out if you want to make it four.

My question is, if you could only make it one time, what weekend would you choose and why?

Now to really make it more interesting what would be your second choice, third choice, etc. and again why?

I have been twice before, first for the US Offshore race several years back and secondly for the Poker Runs America Poker Run.

Had a great time both times even though it was not a holiday weekend. Great scenery at Party Cove etc.

Also, if unable to make it for one of the "big 3", is it really that much more sedate on a regular weekend? The two non holiday trips I have made impressed me!

Thanks in advance for any info that you can provide me.

Mark

if you are wanting to see HP, i would choose the shootout weekend. if you are wanting T&A, i would choose 4th of July weekend. the last week in july/1st weekend in august is usually a great "non-holiday" weekend.

every weekend at LOTO is a good weekend on the water.....

chad

i agree with chad the fourth is normally the craziest as far as the cove goes. The other two are probably a little slower every year, but still absolutely crazy. If those other wknds. impressed you then any wknd during the summer will because if I remember right the Poker Runs of America run was in October. Let us know when you are coming!

Barry

I agree with jawbreakerkid, every weekend at LOTO is good, Fall harbor hop was a lot of fun even though it rained, that was my 1st one, can't wait for spring harbor hop too. I found that once July hits it is packed any weekend you go down there.

Thaks for the responses so far. Keep them comming. Would like to get as much info as possible.

Loanaranger
Yes maybe I forgot about the Poker Run. Now that you refreshed my memory - I froze ma a$$ of during the run. Must have been low 50*s and rain. Not a good day.

JBK
HP is a good thing however I do have a strong affection to T&A and the "fun" that Party Cove can bring.
May try and plan for the 4th and then if all goes well back for the shoot out. Will be in touch via the board as the time approaches.

Thanks,

Mark

Back toward the top.

Would like a little more input from more people. Not that I don't trust the opinions already posted just would like to get as may as possible.

Thanks,

Mark

I go on the Mem. Day weekend and there are a LOT of OSO people there for that. I then go down again on the Shootout weekend. Lots of fun!!!

You can't go wrong on any of the weekends you mentioned.

My choices would be:

Shootout
Mem. Day
Any other weekend since I've never been there on any other weekend!!!

I'd find out what weekend Nort is going and go then. :D :D

Buck
#183

the weather will sometimes screw you
on memorial day.
the fourth of july is on a friday this
year, a 3 dayer.
my vote, the shootout, you can hang out at
the shoot out, or go to the cove.
jt

How about an opinion from a non-resident and someont that has only been twice. Tried a third but missed it :(

First time I went was 2001 Shootout. Brought my own boat but did not run the shootout that year :(

We 'did' Party cove on Saturday then we did the Shootout on Sunday.
It was a truly awesome expereince. Now please take the to even more meaning because Saturday night after the Cove we went to BackWaterJacks and that is where I cracked my ribs and basically ruined the rest of my enjoyment time :(
Alot of people did not even know it happened until after the weekend was done. It was kinda a bummer because all I did was sit in the boat and watch the races. :) We had a front row seat thanks to some other OSO members there.
Now i missed Mem day this year due to my truck. I heard is was not hte best weather but everyone made the best out of it and a great time was had by all.

You want the BEST MOST possible enjoyment. Do what I did this year.
Went down for hte Shootout, stayed during the week prior to Labor day. Stayed through labor day. That was one awesome time. You get the best of everything. THere are actually several people from OSO that do just this. You get the shootout. Which I ran this year both on Sat and Sun. AFter the runs I went to Party Cove both days. However, I will day I will never do that again. Coming into the channels people are merciless with drivers. Squirting thier water cannons why you are trying to steer through the maze. I am shocked I did not hit another boat as close as I was and unable to see from these a$$holes!.
But onto the week after. When you have teh ENTIRE lake to yourself. Well at least it seems os in comparison to what the weekend before was like.
Then Labor Day weekend comes. People coming into town. You are there to help out and greet them. THe whole weekend is just great.
Best 2 weeks I have ever spent boating and I owe it all to such great friends that I have met right here on OSO. Thanks Kevin and Amy for the hospitality and use of your great Condo :)

I will always remember those 2 weeks there. Both the good and the few bad things :) Damn trailer and tranny :(
SO there you have the long story of it. ANY weekend wil be great. SOme will be more then others. I really liked the extra time inbetween the major weekends just as much as them.

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:D :D

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:mad:

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