Table Rock Lake

Another extremely hot summer has settled over Oklahoma and the Midwest. However, we have seen some relief as of late. The forecast for this past weekend called for temps in the 80s, so I knew we had to get out and go somewhere. After a little bit of research and watching weather forecasts for different places, we decided on Big Bay Campground in the Mark Twain National Forest, on the shores of Table Rock Lake in Southwest Missouri. Located on the other side of the lake from the traffic and annoying shows of Branson, Big Bay Campground, although close to the small town of Shell Knob, had the feeling of being isolated. The fact that the campground was almost completely empty was an added bonus. We went with some friends from church and had a great time, stopping at Roaring River State Park on the way back. Unfortunately it was kids' free fishing day at Roaring River and it was a madhouse. We had a quick picnic lunch and made our way back to Tulsa. Someday we'll have to return and check out the fish hatchery there. I didn't take a lot of pictures, we mostly just relaxed around camp. I did get up early to watch the sunrise over the lake, so here are some pics of that. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a while. It was so good to get outside again.