Category Archives: Waconia

The Highway 5 Mess

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It seems like not long ago I was excited that Highway 5 construction was completed. A few week later, they put the orange cones back up and I’m worried that we’ll face another winter in construction.

Now they are working on the new county road 10/downtown connection and I do think it’s a wonderful project. It just bugs me that they didn’t take any of that into consideration before they painted the final lines and put all the lanes back in place from the Highway 5 re-alignment. It seems like a lot of wasted money to me when communication would have done wonders.

When it’s all said and done, it will be nice though as a stoplight at the end of County Road 10 is much needed. The progress seems to have been going quite well and hopefully Highway 5 will be done before Christmas as I don’t want another winter of lane restriction and construction.

On a slightly related note, anyone know what they are doing to County Road 10 on the way to Chaska?  I see lots of trees being cut down.

Vote Today

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You have until 8pm to vote in Waconia.

Don’t know where to vote? Check out this easy and simple site: http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

Not registered? That’s OK to. Just bring one of the following:

  • A valid Minnesota drivers license, learners permit, identification card, or receipt for one showing your current address.
  • If the Minnesota licenses, Tribal ID or MN State ID has a former address, you will need to bring a recent utility bill* to use with your license.
  • Notice of Late Registration postcard.
  • U. S. passport with utility bill*.
  • U. S. military photo ID card with utility bill*.
  • Prior registration listed on roster at former address within the same Ward.
  • Oath of a registered voter in the same Ward (vouching).

I’ve done a number of these over the years and it works well.

Your vote does count. I know mine did. 🙂

Winter Parking Regulations

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SnowflakeToday, November 1st, marks the start of the Winter parking regulations in Waconia. Between the hours of 12 Midnight and 8:00 a.m there can be no vehicles parked on the street. I know this really sucks for those that don’t have a garage, but it’s the rules. Save yourself a ticket and get your cars off the street.

Holiday Getting E85

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E85 LogoWhile on Holiday gas station yesterday, I noticed that the E85 sign was up, just backwards so that most can’t read it.

Holiday will be the first station, to my knowledge, that offers E85 gas in Waconia.

E85 FlexFuel vehicles can run on either gasoline or E85 – a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline or a combination of both. E85 ethanol fuel is a cleaner-burning, mostly renewable fuel source made from U.S.-grown biomaterial, such as corn or other grain products. It helps reduce greenhouse gases and can enhance the nations economy and energy independence.
-Chevy

Check out the E85 vehicles list as you may be able to use this cleaner, cheaper fuel in your vehicle today!

Also, keep your eye on Holiday as I’m not sure when the E85 will arrive.

IN Touch Therapeutic Massage – Relax People

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If you are in need of a massage, IN Touch Therapeutic Massage is in town and ready for you.

I got my first ever massage there not long ago. I went for a 30 minute session and got my back and arms massaged. Not having anything to compare it to, I can’t tell you how it rates, however it was pretty good.

The location is in downtown Waconia, however it’s a bit tricky to get to the first time. Well it was for me but maybe I’m directionally challenged. 😉

It’s a great office though. Neat, clean and very nice on the inside. Down to earth though, not too fancy or over the top.

The ladies were very nice and I was pleased with my massage overall.

Have you been there? Or any other places locally?

IN Touch Therapeutic Massage is located at:
20 W Main St
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-5991

Deardorff Apple Orchards

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It’s a great time of year to head out and get fresh apples. We hadn’t been to an apple orchard to pick our own before so we headed out to Deardorff Orchards to check it out.

It’s located just to the east of Waconia on a gravel road. Quite easy to get to, but you have to park on the side of the road.

It’s a farm and not a fancy orchard like other’s we’ve driven by. It’s friendly and has a great family feeling.

We grabbed a bag and took a wagon ride out into the apple orchards and they dropped us off. We then picked whatever apple’s looked good to us.

Most apples were $1 a pound with a few varieties a bit more. It’s a lot more enjoyable then getting them at the grocery store that’s for sure and something I’d recommend for all.

They even have a petting zoo, pumpkins, a nice store and a few other activities. It’s free to go and enjoy and apple’s and pumpkins are priced right. There is fun for the whole family!

Apple Tree

Deardorff Orchards
8350 Parley Lake Rd.
Waconia, MN 55387
952-442-1885
Map

Visiting Zen Gardens Center

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I’ve had two experiences with Zen Gardens Center in the past week.

The first was when they delivered flowers for my wife. It’s a beautiful bouquet and quite nice.

The second we went and visited Zen Gardens Center. Their pumpkins were priced quite nicely, however no mums as of Saturday. The inside of the store was very nice. Very clean and lots of cool products. We looked at quite a few of the solar decorative lights and almost bought some. The prices seemed reasonable and the store is worth a checkout.

We even asked a few gardening questions and got great answers. It turns out we need manure for our garden area. 🙂

If you get a chance, I suggest checking out Zen Gardens Center. It’s a great addition to Waconia and I know we’ll be going back in the spring of not later this fall too.

Zen Gardens Center is located at the corner of Highway 5 and County Road 10. Phone 952-442-3220

Pizza Ranch – Good Stuff

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Pne of the things that first drew my wife and I to Waconia was the Pizza Ranch.

She first got hooked on it in Decorah Iowa. She went to Luther College and so between Pizza Ranch and Mabes, it seems like that’s all they ate. As I visited friends at Luther, I was also introduced to the Pizza Ranch. At that time they had 3D pizzas and those were awesome. Pizza, breadsticks and desert pizza all in one. Mmmm

After living in the cities for a few years we thought about the Pizza Ranch but Decorah was a bit of a drive. We looked it up on the net and found one in Waconia, wherever that was. We got adventurous one day and found Waconia and the Pizza Ranch.

Now that we live here, we still visit often. The 3D pizza seems to have disappeared but the buffet is great. One price for all you can eat pizza, chicken, onion peals, salad, desert pizza and so much more. Even if you don’t feel like going out, the Pizza Ranch delivers to your front door.

I’d have to say it’s the best place to eat in town and one I’d recommend to anyone. From kids to adults, you’ll find great food at the Pizza Ranch.

. o O ( Just blogging about it makes me hungry. )

The Pizza Ranch is located at:
224 WEST 1ST ST.
Waconia, Minnesota 55387
Phone: 952-442-3321