Relax on the lake …

It’s time to grab the husband and the kids and head for the lake! If you’re looking for a few hours of stress free living (and who isn’t these days), book a two to three hour tour on the lake. Captain Jeffrey will pick you up at your hotel, condo or air bnb and take you for a leisurely tour. Want to stop to swim? No problem! Captain Jeffrey knows several quiet coves where the kids can jump in and splash for a while. Give him a call or shoot him an email at hello@captainjeffrey.com.

Captain Jeffrey was awesome! He picked us up on the dock, we toured the lake and forgot about the city for a while. Our two boys had a great time too – thanks Captain Jeffrey!” EW

Ha Ha Tonka – Laughing spirit day trip :)

Another beautiful spring day at the Lake of the Ozarks. Time for a slight change of scenery with a quick day trip to Ha Ha Tonka. The castle sits above the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks – about a 30 minute drive from Laurie Missouri.

The castle was started in 1905 by Robert McClure Snyder, Sr., a Kansas City  businessman who purchased a large track of land with his partner. He decided to call the land he purchased “Ha Ha Tonka” which is an Osage Indian phrase meaning “Laughing Spirit” in reference to the gushing springs. Unfortunately Mr. McClure was killed in an auto accident – one of the first in Missouri – in 1906. The castle was completed by his two sons but was later destroyed by fire in 1942. Only the stone castle walls remain.

Ha Ha Tonka castle – before the fire.

Easy Day Trip and Hike.

After you drive up the winding road to the castle, it’s just a short walk to the top where the ruins are standing. The view from the top of the hill is expansive and beautiful – no wonder why he chose this space for a castle. There are also plenty of hikes and interesting landmarks in Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Just a short drive from Camdenton Missouri – definitely worth a trip!