We spent the weekend at Lake of the Ozarks. The views were pretty, but I’m really an ocean girl. Odd, since I’ve never gotten to live anywhere within reasonable driving distance of the ocean. I’ve always been solidly stuck in the middle of the country.
Lake of the Ozarks was terribly built up. To me, it ruins the ambience. I’d rather see more shoreline. I also miss looking out and being able to see nothing but endless ocean. Seeing the opposite shore makes me feel hemmed in.
Lakes don’t have the same scent, or sound, or feel. Call me crazy, but I love the scent of salt water air. I remember the first time I took my family to the ocean. We were probably still ten miles from the coast, but I could smell it in the air. It gave me such a sense of elation and, at the same time, peace. Like I was finally released from a cage.
We did get to take a sunset cruise, which was beautiful.
And at least I got some waves while the boat was moving.
Very nice boat called “Celebration.” I got to have a Margarita. Since I normally drive everywhere we go, that’s as vacation perk for me.
Lakes only have waves slapping against the shore when a high-speed boat goes by. In the mornings and at night it is almost silent. I want to hear the constant rhythm of the waves. It’s hard to get a hotel room within hearing distance of the ocean, but my ideal would be to fall asleep to the ocean sounds. I think I could sleep on a boat if I ever got the chance. (I’m not prone to sea sickness, fortunately.)
There were a few gulls on Lake of the Ozarks, but nothing like the abundance of gulls near the ocean. I love those little thieves. I love feeding them—they are so brazen. Just don’t hold out a piece of food you intend to eat yourself. A friend of mine told me a funny story once. When she and her family were vacationing in Florida, her little boy was standing on the balcony eating a Twinkie. You guessed it. A gull swooped down and snatched it right out of his hand.
All in all it was a nice, relaxing break from the hectic pace of everyday living.
But I miss the ocean.
