My other car is a snow plow...

johnz · Post by **johnz** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:12 am

All right, so where can we go today and not get stuck?

The road to Kite Island was a little sketchy yesterday for us mini-vanners.

Anyone out there with a man's truck and a blade?

- z

scottchapman · Post by **scottchapman** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:19 am

Well if I still had my Expedition it would have been easy to blaze a trail to the island. I have 4x4 still, but not the same clearance. I have the whole day finally to play in the wind and snow. The snow just kicked in again here in Bloomington at 9:25 am. Where can we go for a good NE wind fetch? Calhoun will be close and accessible. Kite island will give us a wind break, but you will need to get out a ways on the lake for better wind. Waconia you could drive out from the city to the west side of Coney Island...Who is going out today???Scott

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:42 am

Kurt and I are talking about doing lunch at Bellaire.

tyson · Post by **tyson** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:55 am

im goin out today after a tennis match @noon (who goes to class anyway?)

i have NO idea where to go. ill be out all afternoon i hope, calhoun seems the easiest but i dunno on a NE won't that be really gusty?

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:04 am

We need Mr Tom, aka Tonka Launch Tour Guide, to guide us to the best spot on Tonka. Show us the way Tom.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:07 am

Here's his great launch locator for Tonka. Unfortunately there doesn't look like a great spot for E-NE winds.

http://www.loweprofile.com/misc/tonkamap.htm

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:08 pm

The Bear should be great today and tomorrow. Kite Island will be crappy on a north wind...

Tighe - even though I have the ultimate 4-wheel drive rally car, something tells me I shouldn't have lowered it. 6" off the ground (in the front, 5.5" at the very lowest) isn't "sitting" well with the snow.

I'll be getting new adjustable suspension this summer...

-Coach

scottchapman · Post by **scottchapman** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:12 pm

I am thinking of the cottagewood site posted my tom L.
Is there a place to park there? I have a lunch meeting at noon in wayzata.
Is anyone else thinking of heading out there today?
Call me on my cell. 612-720-0773 after 11:40 am

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:14 pm

After today/tonight driving on Tonka will be tough until ppl with plows get out there.

For NE there is not a perfect launch due to sub-par parking, on Co Rd 15. But the Arcola access would provides a great fetch. I didn't put it on the map, because the parking is minimal and none on the lake. It is just just North of the Arcola bridge on Co Rd 15, on Smith Bay. Kiters who know the area use this access sometimes. You have to compete with the fishermen too.

If the wind has more E in it access #3 on Browns Bay is great. Even if there is some North in it the wind will rotate as it comes down the bay.

For tomorrow with a straight North, the Excelsior access (#12 & #13) are perfect. You should be able to drive on to the ice a little bit to set up.

Good luck! Pack a shovel if you venture on the lakes.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:23 pm

Tom - great idea. I should throw a shovel in the car.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:31 pm

I just updated the map, and put Smith Bay access #8 on there. If anyone ventures out there they should be well rewarded.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:45 pm

scottchapman wrote:I am thinking of the cottagewood site posted my tom L.
Is there a place to park there? I have a lunch meeting at noon in wayzata.
Is anyone else thinking of heading out there today?
Call me on my cell. 612-720-0773 after 11:40 am

Scott, if your on the West side, check the access I posted. Way better for NE than Cottagewood.

TomFranchett · Post by **TomFranchett** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:06 pm

Hey Scott, Just got home from a 2 hour session on Calhoun. snow conditions were great. wind was gusty, of course but plenty of it. I finally packed it in when the snow was coming down so heavy I could barely see the difference between the sky and the ground. I might head back out this afternoon. hope you get some Tom

Hunter Welles · Post by **Hunter Welles** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:20 pm

I just rode kite island for about 3 hours. I drove out, and was the only car on the lake that I saw at least. I would not have even attempted it if I wasnt in a pickup. The snow out there was sick! Perfect powdery, and the wind was a little under to just perfect on the 12 Link. I rode until complete white out, where I couldnt see my truck when I was about 50 feet from it, and you had no idea how high you were. Landing in it was super nice too, falling didnt hurt, and I learned backroll kiteloops today which is a really fun trick.

thewavebb · Post by **thewavebb** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:24 pm

Hunter, your killing me here. I'm stuck in my cube downtown till 9pm tonight. You riding tomorrow? I'm planning on it.