Pat
Your Node To Node for Offset is good but your Node to Node for Slope I think you want to pick two of the Design Nodes not the EP Node that you created - as that will give you the wrong slope
Your Shortcuts I think can be restored using Manage Options - I am checking that
You look like you are on the right track - you cannot offset a Surface using different delta elevations along the Alignment - that would be pretty hard to a) compute and b) control. I don't see anything specific that would make you faster or more efficient in your selected process - you are doing pretty much what I would do here so "Good Work Mate"
Have a good day on site ....
Alan