Everyone is tired of our lives being interrupted by COVID, especially the kids! Recently, we had the opportunity to visit an all-inclusive resort in the middle of the lush Mark Twain National Forest, and we grabbed it. Even though we are not a truly outdoorsy family (our camping record includes a number of semi-fails), we do really enjoy adventure and outdoor sports, and the promise of resort luxuries lured us.
The three-and-a-half-hour drive from Kansas City delivered us to Stonewater Cove Resort’s beautiful 500 acres and a luxurious three-day adventure. The warm staff greeted us upon our arrival and led the way to our spacious three-bedroom cabin overlooking Table Rock Lake. Our youngest daughter made sure our unpacking was quick, because she was eager to hop in the awaiting pool, complete with waterfalls!
Dinner that evening was a gourmet experience in the lodge’s western-facing dining room. The resort offers four- and five-course dinners nightly, and for little ones, they offer freshly prepared children’s entrees or smaller portions of adult menu items. To top off our first day, our family embarked on a sunset boat ride to enjoy the picturesque sunset.
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The next day we packed full with outdoor adventures, including zip lining, kayaking and riding on ATVs. Stonewater Cove’s knowledgeable staff escorted us in their six-person ATV out to the zip lining site, which contains five zip lines, all unique. We then spent time driving our own ATV riding through Stonewater Cove’s expansive property and taking in the lake views, which was exhilarating. Our guides made us feel confident and safe in both zip lining and riding ATVs—something this mom appreciates!
In the afternoon, we had some free time and enjoyed leisurely kayaking on the river. Unwinding with our teenagers and sampling adventurous activities city life doesn’t typically provide made this get-away so worthwhile.
Water-skiing and tubing on the lake filled several hours of our final day at Stonewater Cove. Our kids have water-skied a few times, and watching them tackle new challenges was so fun for my husband and me. Some of our kids needed more coaching than others, and the staff provided precisely what each needed—very patiently!
As a matter of fact, the way the staff did all the prep work for our activities and attended to all our needs made us feel like royalty. Thanks to their service, adrenaline-fueled outdoor adventures were thrilling and relaxing! Winding down that last vacation day, we played horseshoes and mini golf, and then chose from five delectable main dishes for our dining finale. We enjoyed our final sunset cruise and took some time to hang out on the dock and view the amazing starlit sky.
Stonewater Cove is truly a hidden gem sparkling in the Ozarks of Missouri. We felt like we were on a private retreat away from the hustle and bustle of real life. I was not exactly sure to what degree “all-inclusive” would be when we first learned about this resort, but now I know: At Stonewater Cove, all-inclusive means they do it ALL for you. The staff knew us by name, catered to our needs and allowed us to customize our days, enabling us to make family memories easily. This rustic but elegant resort provided us with the perfect balance of adventurous activities and times of total relaxation to unplug and to feel as if COVID never invaded our lives.
Susan Gimotty lives in Overland Park and loves spending time with her family doing new and adventurous activities.