Down in the valley

Prior to the great interchange project, the on-ramp for my trip home was located exactly half a city block from our parking lot. Sweet. Since that was torn out almost two years ago, and several others closed/eliminated, the nearest available ramp is now a mile and a half away. My total ride to work is only 5 miles; needless to say, I've mostly stuck to city streets since then.

But with spring comes road construction. Getting home from work is becoming increasingly difficult. It is possible to get on the freeway somewhere east of 27th Street; I just don't know where. A co-worker thought there was a new ramp off of 6th Street. What follows is my internal dialogue on my excellent adventure in ramp-hunting last night.

OK, right on 6th. No on ramp here. Under the freeway and onto the Viaduct. Hey - there's a sign for 94 westbound...

Hmm. This is Canal Street. Haven't been down in the Menomonee River valley before. Nice road, even if it does wind back and forth like crazy.

Watch it lady! What - you're in such a hurry to get into the casino you just walk into the middle of traffic? Geesh. Hang on - if that's the casino, I've already gone under 16th Street. All these bridges look the same from down here; why don't they paint the street number on the underside of the bridges? Where the heck is the actual canal, anyway?

Given the industrial history of this land, I wonder at the decision to develop down here. Well, if the casino-goers start glowing green, we'll know the clean-up wasn't as thorough as it could be.

There's Valley Fields - wow, we have a nice field. Heh - wonder if the grass glows at night? And is that the new Harley museum? Lots of new construction in this area.

Look, another sign for 94. What on earth - it leads ip to the 27th Street on-ramp? This was a waste of ti...

Whoa, nelly! Roundabout alert! What is that doing here? Where am I going? Ack. Lord help me...

OK, which street did I end up on? Still Canal - good. Wait, where did all the traffic go? This end of the valley seems pretty desolate...hey - there's Palermo Pizza's new factory. Well, at least I won't starve if I can't find my way out of here. Didn't they extend Canal all the way to 43rd Street recently? I should be able to get out there.

Gosh, Miller Park looks huge from down here. Are they ever going to end the extra "stadium" sales tax...doubtful, as I said at the time they instituted it. They just keep extending the end date...

"Reverse lane begins 400 feet". Hmm. No clue what that means.

What is this with the overhead signs with red x's and green spots? This is nuts - which of these four lanes should I be in? That sign says "to 94", but the road goes north, and by the time I get on the freeway, I'm one exit from my off ramp. Veer left then, but why are there all these signs saying you have to pay if you turn right on event days?

Good heavens, am I going to end up in the parking lot at Miller Park? I have no clue how to get out of there - the last time I tried that, I ended up behind the hundred and fifty year old dormitories at the V.A. center...beautiful buildings, but I couldn't get a good look because of the homicidal goose...don't want to go there again.

Wait, "to Miller Park Way". Why does that sound familiar? Right - that's the new name for 43rd Street. Wonder if they will change it back after the Miller corporate headquarters leaves town? Dang Coors anyway.

Left it is. What's the speed limit here? Ack! this is the off ramp from 94 west to Miller Park Way - thirty to fifty then down to a stop. Yikes. That was exciting. Not. At least I'm back on National Avenue.

You ding-dongs - why are you in the left lane? National's been closed at 65th for a month now - you can see the closed signs from here. Don't think you're going to change your mind and crowd into this lane when the light changes...

Can't see a thing from behind this monstrosity. Who the heck needs four back wheels anyway? The rear end of that pickup is wider than...better not finish that thought.

Home at last - and almost ten minutes earlier than usual! Maybe this will be my new route home. Now that I understand the directional signs for the parking lot at Miller Park, this should be a breeze.

Or not - opening day is tomorrow.