March 2009

Lake Minnetonka MN

If you are looking for a lake that is larger then life then you will want to head straight to Lake Minnetonka. Lake Minnetonka is a lake that has over one hundred and twenty five miles of shoreline. The lake itself consists of about 14,528 acres and is located west-southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. With an irregular shape and a great number of bays and islands, this lake has quickly become known as one of the nicest lake resort destinations around.

To really be able to enjoy what the lake has to offer you will want to know about it’s incredible history. The first two people to have visited the lake, or at least that was documented, was that of Joe Brown and Will Snelling from Fort Snelling. These two fourteen-year-old boys discovered the lake by in 1822 by the means of paddling up the Minnehaha Creek. Even though they discovered this amazing lake in 1822, very few people ever went to visit it. It really was not until thirty years later that someone took notice of the lake.

Alexander Ramsey gave the name of “Lake Minnetonka” to the lake in 1852. Ramsey was Minnesota’s territorial governor who at the time, had been told that the Indians in the area used the phrase, which sounded like “minn-ni-tanka” which stood for “big water”. And since 14,528 acres of water is certainly large, Ramsey adopted the name of Lake Minnetonka. In that same year of 1852 the very first settlements were designed and constructed around the lake. A year later, in 1853, the first hotel went up and was open for business.

It really was not until 1855 that the lake minneapolis gained much popularity. In 1855 a gentleman by the name of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem called The Song of Hiawatha. In this poem, landmarks within Minnesota, such as Minnehah Falls was referred to. It was because of this poem that the area suddenly gained national exposure and interest. The introduction of steamboats came in 1861 with the first boat being name after Ramsey in order to honor the person who had given the lake its name.

And then in 1867, after the Civil War, a rail line was opened and operated by St. Paul & Pacific Company, which then connected to the area. It was in 1881 that the first inland steamboat to have electric lights set off and then it was just the following year that the largest ship to ever sail Lake Minnetonka was launched. This ship was the Belle of Minnetonka and is was three hundred feet long and was able to hold a maximum amount of 2500 passengers.

Even though this is amazing history, most people would know this lake the best by is mentioning in the Prince film called Purple Rain. There is a scene in the movie where a woman tries to purify herself in a lake that she believes to be Lake Minnetonka. Since Prince found fame in the 1980s he has lived around the lake area but has never had a lake Minnetonka home right on the lake.

There was the rising of a sunken ship called the Steamboat Minnehaha, a sister ship of the infamous Steamboat Hopkins, from the bottom of the lake. It has been completely restored and now carries passengers between Excelsior and Wayzara just as it did more then a hundred years ago.

In more recent history, Lake Minnetonka received a lot of national attention in 2005 because of a scandal that involved some of the Minnesota Vikings football team. There were allegations that some of the team members took part in a variety of sexual favors for a number of individuals while on chartered boats on Lake Minnetonka. Although not much came of it legally, there was a large amount of embarrassment within the organization.

Lake Minnetonka is extremely popular still for its cruises on the lake. With so many lake cruises available, which include dining and exceptional viewing of the lake, it can be hard to decide which one to go on. There have been rumors in the past that this will end though because of the amount of water that is evaporated from the lake on a daily basis. There is in fact about 30 inches of water, or 11.5 billion gallons of water that is evaporated from the lake on an annual basis. This breaks down to about 50 million gallons of water a day. While this may be scary to hear, it is nothing to worry about as the evaporation is countered by an average rainfall of 28 inches of rainfall and about 20 inches of run off water every year, which means it all, evens out. No one has to worry about the cruises stopping any time soon.

If you are into fishing, Lake Minnetonka is the place to be. It is the best location for fishing in the southern part of the state. It is known for its yellow perch, largemouth bass, walleye, sunfish, and especially the muskellunge. With dozens of fishing tournaments every year there is no reason to not head to Lake Minnetonka and start your fishing season off right. You just never know what kind of luck you will have, as there is a legend of a ten-foot long sturgeon that has been sighted swimming around the lake. For the past thirty years people have referred to this legend creature as Lou. Maybe it is real or maybe it isn’t but the only way to find out is to head to Lake Minnetonka yourself.

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Lake Minnetonka

Certainly one of the most beautiful lakes Minnesota has to offer, Lake Minnetonka is located southwest of Minneapolis. At over 14,000 acres, the lake offers a spacious, relaxing departure from city life while remaining only fifteen minutes from the Twin Cities, making it an ideal location for many families looking to relocate. Lake Minnetonka is surrounded by some of the most beautiful lakefront resorts and cottages, and in the current buyer’s market, the time has never been better to invest in a new home. If you are looking to fulfill your dream of owning a beautiful lakefront home, I would be happy to set up an appointment to work with you.

There is never a lack of recreational opportunities with the lakes surrounding the Twin Cities, and Lake Minnetonka is no exception. Each year, Minnetonka is host to thousands of visitors who come to swim, take the boat out for a spin, or fish in some of the richest waters in the state. The lake is known for its game fish such as largemouth bass, but is also thick with walleye, yellow perch and sunfish, among others. For those who do enjoy sailing or angling, the lake provides multiple docks with easy access. Additionally, several private charter services are available to book a cruise for your family, which is a great way to both enjoy the amazing scenery of the area, as well as familiarize yourself with the different parts of the lake.

Lake Minnetonka is also host to one of the finest regional parks in the state. This 292 acre area offers plenty for both adults and children, making it a popular weekend spot for family gatherings. For those looking for some exercise, the park hosts three trails; one paved 2.5 mile trail for hikers and bikers, one mile-long path for pedestrians, and a mile long turf trail for pets. Kids will be drawn to the sprawling 20,000 square foot creative play area with a nautical theme, and which includes a cargo hold, climbing structures, and many slides—including two twenty-foot slide rides. Your kids will certainly enjoy their weekends at the park just as much as you.
If you are currently thinking about your options with purchasing a home, and are interested in acquiring some prime real estate, I would be happy to set up an appointment to introduce you to the area. Lake Minnetonka has some of the most stunning homes around its extensive 140 mile shore, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Many older homes along the lake have been recently restored, but there are also plenty of tear-down opportunities for those who are more interested in building their dream home from the ground up. Many multiple-acre locations are available with immediate access to the lake, so you have the opportunity to secure plenty of land to begin planning. Whatever your needs are, I would be happy to help you find exactly what you are looking for. Whether you are a seasoned owner of real estate, or you are considering buying your first home, you need someone you can trust to ensure you will get the best deal available at a price that appropriate for you.

For your convenience, we are a fully cooperating member of the Twin Cities real estate community. The multiple listing service, or MLS, allows all member agents to view what is available in the market so you don’t feel compelled to go with an agent you are not comfortable with. So regardless of the company sign in the yard, please feel free to give me a call to arrange an appointment to view a home that you are interested in. Our website contains many helpful tools to get you started on your journey today, including mortgage rate calculators, mortgage rate quotes, and online mortgage applications. If you would like to browse for yourself, check out our Search Online Now! application. This will grant you access to all of the homes currently available through our multiple listing service.

If you are looking to relocate to Minnesota, I will be happy to help you out with our relocation package and guide. I, as well as many of my clients, are relocation specialists, and depending on your situation, there are various employee and corporate relocation packages available. Many of us own rental property ourselves as well and would be happy to assist you in finding a rental, or to arrange a tour with you to acclimate you with the area. Please check my website as well for our convenient relocation salary calculator and other relocation services.

I’m extremely familiar with the area and have lived in the Twin Cities my entire life. When making an important life decision, such as relocating and/or purchasing a home, it is important to have someone on your side to give you honesty and expertise. I strongly encourage you to contact me with any questions you have or to set up an appointment. I look forward to working with you.

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Twin Cities Lakes

The Twin Cities is a beautiful area. It’s also an area that has quite a bit of water around. Of course the cities are divided by the great Mississippi River, but there are a variety of different lakes that are in the area as well. There is a chain of lakes in the area, and there are five different lakes that are quite popular. Some of them include parks and recreational opportunities as well. The names of the five lakes include Lake Calhoun, Lake Nokomis, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, and Lake Hiawatha. Here’s a closer look at these lakes and what they have to offer those in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul areas.

Lake Calhoun

You’ll find that Lake Calhoun is one of the lakes that makes up the Chain of Lakes in the area. It is a very popular place for a variety of different activities, including swimming, fishing, walking, roller skating, jogging, wind surfing, sailing, and even canoeing. It’s about 3.2 miles around the entire lake, great for people who want to run, walk, or cycle. There are also three beaches that are supervised on the lake as well. You can rent watercraft on the lake by going through the Wheel Fun Rentals company right there. There are also gondola services available as well. Right on the lake you’ll even find that there is a nice restaurant - the Tinfish Restaurant. Over the past 100 years, there have been quite a few great improvements to the area. Originally this lake was known as the Lake of the Loons, “Lake Medoza.” However, the name was changed to honor John Caldwell Calhoun, who was a United States Senator, then later Vice President serving with President Monroe.

Lake Nokomis

Another lake you’ll find in the Minneapolis park system is Lake Nokomis. This is a sailing lake, just like Lake Calhoun. The park along the lake offers a community center, ball diamonds for baseball, concessions, canoe racks, sailboat racks, paths to walk, and two different beaches that are well supervised as well. They now offer a special playground system that allows kids between the ages of five and twelve to play. This system is made to help kids become more agile, to help with coordination and balance, and to help with strength in the upper body as well. During the warm months, often there are sailboat races on the lake and people can rent watercraft as well.

Lake of the Isles

The Lake of the Isles is another lake that happens to be a part of the Chain of Lakes as well. Millions of people end up visiting these lakes every single year. People come to bike, picnic, enjoy the scenery, bike, canoe, and more. During the winter months, many people come to this lake to go ice skating. There is a dog park located by the lake as well where people can bring their dogs to enjoy some time out and about. This lake was engineered, and was made in the early 20th century. It was originally a very shallow lake but it was turned into a wonderful lake and a beautiful park as well. The area has been renovated and turned into a lovely park. Wetlands have been enhanced, the plants have been restored, and paths have been reconstructed. It is definitely a lovely place to enjoy if you love the water.

Lake Harriet

Lake Harried is part of the chain of lakes and is very picturesque. There are 344 acres that are all water, as well as 67 land acres in the park as well. This lake is known for the great walking and biking trails, and many different water based activities take place. In the band shell located by the lake, various summer concerts take place as well. This is the 5th music facility to be put in this area. The first one that was built back in 1888 ended up being totally destroyed in a terrible fire. The trailers for skaters, bikers, and runners are almost three miles long. There is a small totlot available as well for young children. You’ll also find a concession building available and a well available where you can get water.

Lake Hiawatha

Last of all is Lake Hiawatha. This lake is beautiful and the park around it has beautiful trees to enjoy. The entire park is 234 acres, although the lake is only 52 acres large. Over the years this has been taken from a swamp to be a beautiful park that people in the area can enjoy. Some of the improvements that have been done in the past few years include adding boulders, ornamental trees, perennials, shrubs, and a special flagstone path as well. There is a playground that takes up eight acres, there is a beach, athletic fields, and even tennis courts. On one side of the lake there is a special golf learning center and a golf side as well.

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Twin Cities Minnesota

Interested in visiting the state of Minnesota? If so, you definitely won’t want to miss taking the time to visit the twin cities. These cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are two of the biggest and most visited cities in the entire state. So, you definitely won’t want to miss them. Of course there are those that are not entirely familiar with these cities, their long history, and how exciting they can be. Here’s a closer look at these two cities, what defines them, their history, and the cities as they are today.

The Twin Cities

So, you may be wondering what exactly the twin cities refers to. Well, the “twin cities” are comprised of the huge metro areas of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Between the two cities there are many sporting events, cultural productions, and many different avenues of entertainment as well. Both of the cities in MN have many different museums that people can tour as well. The two cities come together and definitely make up a huge metro area that includes many things to do, for visitors and locals alike.

Separated by the Mississippi River

There is one thing that basically sets the twin cities apart - the Mississippi river. This river runs right in between the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Not only is the river the divider between the two cities in Minnesota, but the river is also a place where a huge amount of recreational activity takes place as well. Even the history of the two cities is based around the river, so the Mississippi river definitely plays an important part for both of the twin cities.

History of St. Paul

When it comes to the twin cities, it’s a great idea to take a look at the history of St. Paul. This city happens to be the second largest city that is in the state of Minnesota. This city was spurred off of the Fort Snelling, which was a military presence that was in the area. It was actually the first presence in the area for the U.S. military. It was located on the Mississippi River and was first established back in 1819.  The fort was actually established in the area so that the Americans could establish their own dominance over the fur trade on the Minnesota and the Mississippi rivers.

One bootlegger who was a retired fur trader decided to move his operation down the river a bit and he put it on the North bank. It eventually got the name of Pig’s Eye. Later the area would formally get the name Saint Paul, which was suggested by a priest in the area. The area is basically the gateway on the river towards the Midwest, and many steamboats found their way through the area. For some time the town was a railroad time as well and is often known as “The Last City of the East.”

History of Minneapolis

On the other hand, of the twin cities, you also have Minneapolis, which also has a rich history that originated in much the same way. It is the largest city in the state and it too originated from Fort Snelling. However, this city had a lot to do with Saint Anthony Falls as well, which gave the power needed for various flour and saw mills that were run. Once the land in the area was able to be settled, there were two different towns that were established. On the west side was Minneapolis, and on the east side was Saint Anthony. Later in 1872 these two towns would become one city. The industry in the area was mainly based on milling and soon the city was the top center of flour production. It earned the common name, “Mill City.”

It also began to become quite big in the railroad and banking industry as well. In fact, still today this city is a center in the banking industry. The area still has two of the biggest milling companies in the world, the Pillsbury Company as well as the General Mills company, although the two have now merged together.

The Cities Today

Today you will find that both of the twin cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, are growing cities. The skylines have definitely changed over the years, with tall buildings easily seen from the Mississippi River. There are now parks, museums, and various modes of entertainment to be found in both of the cities. However, as you cross the river, you will find the two cities to be quite different. In fact, you may even find that they are competitive. With the rich history and unique culture, they are definitely worth visiting if you venture into Minnesota.

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