ULW Noon Conference and Driving Options to Waconia

[chanrider]

Just got back from a nice lunch conference (my first ever!) at the University of Lake Waconia. It was pretty sketchy and light, just enough for a 14M kite and big board… could’ve even hucked a few jumps in the gusts but I stayed on the surface for whatever reason. Did not want to chance an afterwork sesh cuz it looked like the southerly flow was shuffling off to the east.

If you think traffic will be bad on Hwy 5 when you are heading to the lake, Mike (I think) had a great idea he shared with me on Saturday. Take the new highway 212 to Hwy 10/Engler Blvd west. From here I would recommend taking County 43 north up to Tellers Rd/Laketown Rd. Hang a left and this cuts diagonally NW over to Hwy 5 west and you have surpassed Victoria and every traffic light.

Tellers/Laketown is mostly a dirt road but you’re not on it for too long. Just hum the Dukes of Hazzard theme and you should be good. Actually southern rock works too, I chose to punch up an old live Molly Hatchet record on the mp3, but I digress. Don’t speed too much though cuz there can be farm kids running about and it’s tough to stop fast on dirt. This route is a little longer than 5, but pretty quick. However, I don’t think it saves any time unless you are avoiding traffic on 5.

Another option is take the new 212 to Hwy 101 and go north a short distance to 5 west. This gets you around the lights in Eden Prairie, but you still hit the ones in Chanhassen and Victoria. In my estimation this is always a little faster than 5 straight thru, because the new 212 is a 65mph freeway and you are not veering away from Hwy 5 hardly at all.

One last note... if you are taking the Hwy 5 thru Victoria route during the lunch or dinner hours and are starving to death and short on time like I usually am a great alternative to the Victoria Subway (ugh) is Roulette's Pizza right next door. He's got slices to go during the lunch/dinner hours and it's absolutely the fastest food pit stop imaginable and the pizza's pretty good and easy to eat in the car (not that I ever do that). There's a nice little liquor store/gas station connected to that same parking lot so you can beer up/gas up too!

[mdh01]

Here's the map version for those who think visually

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 67885&z=13

[chanrider]

Google is not updated for the new highway yet, it stills calls it 312 and it only goes to Hwy 41. Mapquest has the whole thing. Looking at Mapquest I am rescinding the Tellers/Laketown recommendation. It looks faster just to take Hwy 10 into Waconia then backtrack to Co Rd 92 to the lake or take Co Rd 11/Guernsey Ave/Victoria Ave north to 5 west like is shown on this link.

Going around the EP lights always saves time. Avoiding the Chanhassen/Victoria lights is only necessary during afternoon rush hour traffic. I will try the 10 to Waconia route next time though, that looks pretty good and you don't have to back track too far.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Eden+Pr ... :f:EN:M:/e

[Tighe]

Good info.

Since I'm usually heading out from the center of town, I like to go out 394 and drop down after Long Lake. It takes you a bit more north but there are very few stops and it is beautiful country. 12 now bipasses Long Lake, so those few lights are no longer an issue. It's a total of 2 stop signs and 1 light (St. Boni) and one right turn at the top of the ramp once you leave town. Nice smooth flow. They have the time at an hour but they haven't updated the map with the new bipass yet. It usually takes me about 45-50 min from my house in Longfellow.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 54839&z=13

[Anna D]

I'm glad you mentioned this option, Tighe. I work in Long Lake and we live in St. Boni now, so I drive this route to and from work every day. I've been especially struck this spring by the beauty of the drive. It's so close to the cities, but it feels really pastoral.

I also want to mention that hungry kiters should drive into the town of Waconia and hit up Whole Hog Heaven for some delicious bbq, pulled pork or brisket. They are closed on Monday, but otherwise open for lunch and dinner. They are located in the little strip mall up on the hill as you approach town. (Turn right on 30 to get up to the strip mall.)