Wyndham Lake of the Ozarks (LOTO), Missouri

Living in St. Louis, Lake of the Ozarks (to be referred to at LOTO from now on) is the closest big lake and mountainous area to us.  It's about a 2.5-3 hour drive, but half of it is through some pretty nice countryside.  When we go down to LOTO, we stay in the Worldmark or Wyndham (same building) condos.  When we're really lucky, I can use our Wyndham VIP status and reserve a 1 bedroom unit with a free upgrade to a 3 or 4 bedroom penthouse.  I actually prefer the 3 bedroom penthouse since it's on the top 2 floors of the resort and have a vaulted ceiling and is lofted.  The 4 bedroom penthouses are 2 full levels so they do have more room, but less light.

 

4 bedroom penthouse:

looking down towards one of the condos from the check in area.

 

master closet with complimentary robes

master bedroom

master shower/bath

master bedroom with sliders to lanai

living room/dining room/ kitchen

downstairs living area/ game table/ another master bedroom

These were taken awhile ago---so tv's were much bigger then

undersized kitchen

loved the hot tubs on the lanais (think only the penthouses had them)

driveway from check in down to the condos

corner condo

one of the condos straight on the lake

upper parking area and basketball court

LOTO to the right

the pool

how the lake came to be---Bagnell dam

storm watching from the covered lanai

midwest storm

2 bedroom deluxe:

grills on the decks

WM boat dock

just past the strip of little stores leading to the road over the dam.

another 4 bedroom penthouse: (pre-2007)

view from the lanai

master bedroom

diningroom to extra bathroom

small kitchen, again

one of the 4 bedrooms

3 bedroom penthouse:

looking down from the loft

master bedroom

nearby public lake access.

public lake access

facing East, but still a nice sunset.

nearby Bridal Caves

in the cave

nearby Ha Ha Tonka State Park (old burnt out mansion)

sunrise over the lake and mist rising

enjoying the hottub

2nd bedroom

3rd bedroom

Ozarks

Ozarks

rainy day at the resort

warm day at the resort

2 of the buildings from the water (i think there are 3 buildings)

more midwest scenery

driving back to St. Louis

We moved away from St. Louis in 2015 and haven't been back to LOTO since.  Over the many years and 5 or 6 times that we went there, we saw a lot of changes to the area.  For the better.  Used to have nothing there.  Last time we were there it had lots of stores (including a big outlet mall) and lots more restaurants.  Bridal Caves is close by , as is Ha Ha Tonka and lots of hiking trails.  It's a pretty area.  Hope to get back there some day.

2021-Sept. 25-29 trip to N. Myrtle Beach with Angie and fam

About 3 or 4 months ago, Angie started looking for another Wyndham 3 bedroom accessible unit so we could all go to the ocean again.  Turned out that Myrtle Beach was the only drive-to ocean resort available during Layla's Fall Break (this week).  I've always been curious about Myrtle Beach.  All the traveling Ken and I have done and we have never been to Myrtle beach!  I was looking forward to seeing what the hype was all about.  

Once 60 days 'til check in came around, I started checking for availability so we could take advantage of our VIP privilege of using half the amount of points for a reservation within 60 days.  Somewhere around 40 days prior, availability in a 3 bedroom unit at another Wyndham Myrtle Beach resort came available, but it wasn't on the beach.  So we passed on it.  A few days later, a 3 bedroom Oceanfront non-accessible unit where we had reservations (Wyndham Ocean Boulevard in N. Myrtle Beach) came available, so I booked it.  Then I called the resort to see what the difference was in the OV accessible unit and the OF unit is.  They claimed the OF was better and was open enough for a wheel chair.  So I cancelled the accessible unit----and got half our points back!  

Now all we had to do was wait until the 25th and hope Ken was feeling up to going.  Had a bit of a scare on the 23rd.  Had to call for a "lift assist" to help get Ken to bed.  He had gotten the flu shot and covid booster the day before and was running a low grade fever and was really weak.  Fortunately, by the 24th, he was feeling much better.  By the 25th, he was able to transfer from his wheel chair to the car and we were on our way.

9-25-21 drive to N Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina---Wyndham Ocean Blvd 3 bedroom OF 

 

9-26-21 Beach time!!!!!

 

9-27-21 more beach time!!!!

 

9-28-21 last full day 

 

9-29-21 time to go home

 

 Wyndham Ocean Blvd , 3 bdrm 5th floor, Tower 2, OF

 

It was another really great vacation.  Started out a little iffy, but we made up for the bad times by making some great memories.  I hope to get back to Myrtle Beach.  Turned out to be even better then I imagined.  I was hoping for a beach similar to S. Florida.  I love S. Florida, but water can be a lot harder to get into there.  The broad flat shallow waters edge was perfect for Layla to play on and for walking on!  I don't know how well Ken was able to see us, but I think he enjoyed being outside and visiting with other visitors.   I think he's enjoying these short trips as much as I am.

 

2021-May 17-25 Reunion and Clearwater Beach, Florida

 

2021 May Florida trip to Reunion

 If you told me a year ago we'd have at least 4 road trips with Ken ahead of us, I would have been skeptical.  Especially with a worldwide pandemic going on for over a year!  But, thankfully, we have---Panama City, Destin, Lake Marion, and now Orlando!  And in a couple weeks, we're off to St. Louis and Knoxville for another 7 nights (around Ken's 51st class reunion).  

This was another rather impromptu trip.  Josh had vacation time he had to take and we had Worldmark points that were expired in a Hawaii reservation for March 2021.  I knew if I called WM I could have them put them in another reservation, but it had to be for a trip before the end of June or the points would be gone for good.  So I let Angie search for a trip.  She found a 3 bedroom accessible condo in Reunion, Florida, for 3 nights and another 3 nights in Pompano, Fl.  With the extra room in Reunion, Ken agreed to go, too.  But I didn't want to drive back from S. Florida, and didn't want to just go for 3 nights, so I booked 3 more nights at Reunion before Angie's 3 using our VIP Wyndham membership.  Ultimately Angie also decided they didn't want to drive back from S. Florida, too, so I moved her reservation back up to Reunion following the 3 days they already had reserved. They couldn't go earlier because of Layla's school.   About a week before the trip, I found 2 nights at the Wyndham Clearwater Beach resort in a 1 bedroom condo and asked them if they wanted to go there, too, since it was almost the same distance from Atlanta as Orlando.  She said yes.  Only problem with that was that Wyndham isn't allowing guest check in at their premium resorts right now since owners had to cancel so many vacations last year.  No problem, Ken and I just stayed in Reunion the extra days with the kids, then drove out to Clearwater and checked them in.  I was always curious about that resort, so I didn't mind going and spending the day with them, then going back to Reunion for our last night (minus the kids, again).

5-17-21 travel day to Orlando

our accommodations: Worldmark/Wyndham Reunion Resort

5-18-21 hanging around the resort and shopping 

5-19-21 Lakefront Park  

5-20-21 waiting for the kids to make it down 

5-21-21 Disney Springs

5-22-21 Animal Kingdom 

5-23-21 Apopka Wildlife Drive 

5-24-21 Clearwater Beach (Wyndham Clearwater Beach Resort) 

5-25-21 back to Atlanta

 I was somewhat anxious about this trip.  With Ken now 16 months since being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, I was afraid it would be really hard on him.  But he seemed to enjoy it---as did the rest of us.

2021 Wyndham Clearwater Beach Resort

 1 bedroom unit

We were staying in Reunion for a week, so when I noticed 2 nights pop up at Clearwater Beach at the end of that week, I booked it.  We had never been to Clearwater Beach and know how hard it is to get into.  I've been curious about this resort for quite some time.  

We arrived about 3pm and they had our unit available.  Angie and I were dropping off the luggage (the guys were in the other car looking for somewhere to park), but heard loud metalic clanking coming from above.  After a couple calls, we found out they were working on the balcony above.  So we were moved to another room.   

The unit was small but nicely appointed. 

The bed was comfy

kitchen was open. 

view from our balcony.

the other room---reversed living room of the first one.

It did take some doing to find a luggage cart, but we finally did.

 The pier is convenient to the resort (the resort is the light gray buildings to the right of the pier)

another view towards the Wyndham Clearwater Resort from the pier. (the 2 gray buildings.  The first one is the Wyndham Grand hotel, the 2nd building is the timeshare units.

nice beach!

volleyball anyone?

back on the pier.  It cost $1 to go all the way to the end, but about 2/3rds of the pier was free.

from the pier

the large boardwalk across from the resort.

2021 Wyndham Reunion Resort

 

Wyndham Reunion Resort

 I had heard that Reunion was a huge resort, but I was surprised just how large it is!  I didn't realize it was an actual subdivision.  Worldmark and Wyndham just happen to have a fraction of the units there.  

"Reunion is a World Class Resort Community located in Central Florida, less than ten miles from Disney World. It features world class amenities and many wonderful neighborhoods with real estate products ranging from Condos and Townhomes to Villas and Estate Homes.

In addition to three signature world-class golf courses, WorldMark Reunion offers a selection of outstanding amenities and is home to the Reunion Golf Academy. Enjoy the 5-acre Water Park, complete with lazy river, slides and interactive pool. There is a daily activities program with events for all ages, including bicycling and six lighted tennis courts. For those seeking relaxation, the Spa offers personalized pampering and there are three on-site restaurants with family, fine dining or tapas styles to choose from.

Located throughout six different communities within the resort, the villas at Reunion offer between one and three bedrooms. Guests can reserve one of these uniquely upscale spaces and enjoy spacious living rooms, dining rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, private balconies, and other plush condo-style comforts."

 Needless to say, it was rather impressive.  Apparently there are a lot of full time residents there, too.  I was a little surprised that it seemed so residential.  Where are the stores?  Do we have to go to Irlo Bronson Blvd to get to the stores?  All that I could easily find was the Publix about 1 mile down the road and a CVS across the street from it.  Wasn't until Angie and Josh got there that they found the area by the entrance to I-4 (about 3 miles away) and it had several really nice looking restaurants around it.

Our timeshare units were in the Villas at Reunion.  This is one of the Villas buildings.   We were put in---E102 on Cabana Ct.    

This is the view from our back patio looking over at the Grand section of the resort---the hotel villas of the resort.

Inside our 3 bedroom unit. 

You can tell you're in a Worldmark unit if it has the complimentary spices.  Such a nice touch!  Too bad Wyndham doesn't do that, too.

Our large patio.

I did do some furniture rearranging.  We were suppose to have a handicap accessible unit, but when they combined our WM and Wyndham reservations so we wouldn't have to move, I think they just gave us what was available with a ground level.  But it was fine.  No roll in shower or bars in the bathroom, but Ken was able to manage with the walker and wheelchair.  I also moved the couches closer together so I could move the little table over between the chair and couch.  Moved the lamp over there.  That became Ken's area. 

Ended up moving 3 of the chairs over to the wall so ken had room for his wheelchair at the table.  Also moved the vase to the buffet.

looking towards the front door (the other 2 bedrooms were on either side of the door.

our Master bedroom (moved the chair away so I could get the wheel chair in there.  Used the seat cushion on "ken's" chair so he could stand up easier.

Layla's bathroom---and guest bathroom, if there were any guests.

Layla has grown accustomed to having her own bedroom when they go anywhere now.  That's one of the first things she looks for.

And she was happy again with her room

Mom and Dad's room---2nd master bedroom, with on suite

back to the real master bedroom bathroom.  We were suppose to have a handicap accessible room.  Somehow, I don't think this is one!  But Ken was able to manage with his walker.   No accessible shower in this bathroom.  Plus the toilette in a little closet wasn't too accessible.  No handle bars, either.   I had even asked if this was an accessible room when they called the next day to see how everything was.  They said it's on the ground level so it's accessible.  I don't think he knew what he was talking about, but since they aren't making us move mid-week, I didn't complain.

The children's play area of the water park.  Looked like a lot of fun for a kid, but it looked like it was closed.  I presume because of Covid?

I was really impressed with the lazy river pool and looking forward to taking Layla there.  Unfortunately she ended up being pretty sick, so we didn't take her. 

Didn't really like that there was no parking by it, either.  Just a drop off zone, then a parking lot a couple blocks away.

Surprised it wasn't more crowded.

little green courtyard next to the building we were in.  The grounds were really nice.

The little pool across from our building.  I did make it here a couple times.

looking out from our pool.

 At first I wasn't too thrilled with the location of this resort and the size of it.  But by the time we spent 8 nights here, I'd gotten use to it.  I hope to go back some day.

2021--Feb. 25-March 1 long weekend trip to Lake Marion, SC with the Hicks kids

 Angie's been itching to go somewhere.  So she hit the Wyndham site looking for a 3 bedroom place for us all to go to.  Started out looking for Florida, but nothing was available at short notice.  So she started checking other places within driving distance.  Ended up finding a 3 bedroom accessible unit at Lake Marion in South Carolina, so she booked it.  It was even half points since it was within 60 days.  

So the trip took on the goal of Ken teaching Layla to fish.  Afterall, Lake Marion is the largest lake in SC so there must be lots of fish!!!  Right????

So on Thurs. the 25th, we all waited until about noon, then headed out.  It was about a 5 hour drive.  We actually arrived at the resort within minutes of Angie and Josh and Layla.  

It was a fun 3 days and 4 nights.  I guess the drive there and back wasn't too bad, either.  We got there in time to order pizza for dinner, then settle in for the night.  The next 3 days they found places to fish.  Also found some playgrounds for Layla.  Angie also found a drive through wildlife refuge that we drove through 2 days.  Even the weather cooperated with 2 days in the 80s!  So nice to have some warm weather again.  I'm so ready for winter to be over.

The fishing was disappointing.  But the visiting was great.  I think we all had a great time!  

2-25-2021 drive to Santee, NC

2-26-21 Lake Marion State Park 

2-27-21  Santee National Wildlife Refuge and Taw Caw park

2-28-21 Taw Caw park and Santee National Wildlife Refuge drive, again 

Wyndham Lake Marion

3-1-21 we loaded up and had to be out of the condo by 10 am.  Had a nice drive back to Dallas, Ga.  The end to another nice long weekend trip with the Hicks' kids.