Minnow Shot

Location: Big Dick's Halfway Inn part 1 of 2

Do you remember a few weeks ago I wrote about checking into the Great American Campground and Dive Bar? The camp host’s face turned red after Brad repeated what she had told us…in Brad’s funny logic anyway.  Brad said at the campground we were sandwiched between two dicks.  Sandwiched between two bars with Dick names.  Whiskey Dicks was a short ride one way and Big Dicks is a longer ride the opposite direction.  Brad and I rode to Big Dicks only to find it closed.  Despite us not checking business hours, the ride was a good one.  We found the Cup Tree and Shoe Fence that day.  Search past posts if you want to read our story of the Cup Tree and Shoe Fence.

We rode some winding country roads surrounded by trees to arrive at Big Dicks.  Big Dick’s Half Way Inn is on the water with piers for boat traffic to dock. It is the middle of the day, and not many cars or boats are in the parking areas.  We walk into the bar just in time to hear a young lady order a minnow shot.  As Brad and I choose our seats at the bar, we watch closely to learn more about this minnow shot.  A minnow is a small fish! There was an aquarium full of minnows behind the bar. Apparently, minnow shots are a thing here!  The young woman was standing at the bar watching her minnow shots being made.  The woman confirmed live fish were in the shot.  She began to tell us that she could feel the minnow swimming around in her stomach after the shot.  She carried the drinks off to join a small group sitting at a table overlooking the water.  Moments later, there were some loud cheers resulting from the minnow shots being drank.  

The bartender is friendly yet familiar.  Brad and I declined her offer of trying a minnow shot and ordered our iced teas.  The bartender told us more about how popular the minnow shot is among college-age customers.  She was fairly chatty, talking about the area.  I’ve been looking at her like I know her, but from where?

Fish Fry! Part 2 of 2 The Golf Course

Fish Fry Friday at the Indian Rock Golf Club - The Rock Bar and Grill!  Jim met us in the parking lot of The Rock Bar and Grill.  Jim and his wife recently retired from their careers in Utah and moved to Missouri.  Details of their first year in Missouri might be worth a story to share at a later date.  Strange drivers would pull up to their house and turn around; the garage was wired for a high-voltage greenhouse; the sheriff knows the house well; and a water pipe burst while they spent a month in Texas filling the first level full of somewhere upwards of 138,000 gallons of water - Jim knows exactly how many gallons because it is stated on his water bill!  Anyway, Jim and his dog drove a couple of hours to meet us for lunch.

Jim finds a good, cool, and shady spot for his dog in the parking lot.  We are slightly concerned about a dress code at the golf course bar and grill.  We were happy that our attire fit in just fine after entering the building.  Customers filled the bar stools and tables.  We found three empty bar stools at a corner of the U-shaped bar.  Fish Fry Friday, AKA Golden Fried Cod Dinner, was popular.  The waiter had to check with the kitchen to make sure there were enough fish for our orders.  The crowd at the bar was lively and funny.  Brad fit in with them really well, telling jokes and getting the whole bar involved.  I remember some loud laughter and a lot of smiles.  We learned a lot about the locals in the area too.  There was a discussion about storylines in the show Ozark.  People voiced some comparisons and similarities with real-life families and events.  We have to acknowledge that the Ozark was mainly filmed in Georgia, not Missouri.  The locals make that known up front.  

That fish fry was one of the best we’ve experienced.  It could have been the like-minded patrons at the bar.  It could have been because we got to catch up with Jim.  Jim is a Jimmy Buffett fan and had wanted to recon the Margaritaville Lake Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.  So we checked the map and navigated to Osage Beach, where the resort is located.  I didn’t realize there would be so many buildings at the resort.  I ended up leading Brad through a parking garage entrance that said staff only.  We made U-turns with our loud motorcycles under the curious eyes of employees.  I found the hotel check-in area.  I didn’t want to be there.  I rode back to an intersection on the property with Brad following.  A security guard in a golf cart intercepted us.  I shut off my engine so I could hear him speak.  I explained where we were trying to find.  With some helpful directions, we ended up at the Land Shark Bar and Grill on the resort property.  Jim arrived a few moments later with no problem using his phone for navigation.  Oh, there was a parking spot labeled just for him.  I think it stated Reserved for Jimmy (Buffett) or something to the effect.  What are the odds Jim was able to find a reserved parking spot on a day when Brad and I circled twice looking for a spot to squeeze our motorcycles in?  

The Land Shark Bar was buzzing with activity.  People were inside, outside, on the beach, and pulling up on boats.  It seemed like a scene from the old Spring Break movie.  The bar was huge.  We found three stools and ordered our iced teas.  When I said the place was buzzing with activity, service employees were briskly walking about, taking orders, delivering food and drinks.  The bartenders’ feet stopped moving only long enough to grab a drink and set it down on the bar in front of a customer. The music was awesome; of course, it was Jimmy Buffett!  The restaurant had large glass windows overlooking the outdoor deck with tables, the beach, and the marina.  It was a fantastic view to include all the pretty people moving about outside.  We took in the sights, enjoyed our drinks, and called it a day.  Jim had to get back on the road.  Brad and I returned to the Great American Campground. It was a great day!