The rock formations within the cave were truly jaw dropping.
Before we get into the heart of this month’s travel blog I feel it would be best to introduce myself to you all. My name is Jake Alleruzzo, the newest addition to the Sports Traveler staff. I myself have a very deep passion for sports travel and thought writing our latest blog entry would be a great way to share my experiences with you fellow sports travelers.
About a month ago I took a trip to Missouri to a beautiful region called Lake of the Ozarks, located just a few miles south of Kansas City. Being in the far western edge of Missouri is quite a unique experience, considering the mixed fandom between Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals fans. While we were in the western tip of Missouri I could have sworn I was in the heart of Kansas City as I drove through town and saw Royals flags hanging about. This goes to show you that you never know what kind of fans you can find as you travel through any given town.
Now going through this town you would figure there is not much to do besides traveling a little further up north and catching a game at Kauffman Ballpark… dead wrong! My time at Lake of the Ozarks led me on many small adventures in my weekend long stay. My very favorite adventure being a trip through one of the states largest caves which housed many bats, old native american tools, and plenty of cave crystals. It is really a sight to behold when you stare up to a ceiling and see about a dozen bats staring right back at you!
Outside of my little cave adventure I thought I would also check out the local cuisine, something I definitely am glad I did. Despite not being near a major city, the local dining was fantastic with eateries that specialized in authentic Italian and Asian cooking. I was actually able to locate a wonderful Chicago style deep dish, and Vietnamese pho in one weekend! Now how many places can have both those specialties in one area?
As my weekend getaway came to an end I began to realize how special a place, the Lake of the Ozarks are in Missouri. The region while divided by baseball allegiances, is still home to some of the most friendly people in the country. So next time you are making a trip to catch a Royals game, why not take a short drive south of Kansas City and experience a wonderful piece of Missouri hospitality.