The Ballard Locks

The Ballard Locks (officially called the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) are working locks that connect Lake Washington to the Sound and the public can go watch them in action. Ever since I heard about this, I've wanted to take the boys because I knew they'd love it. Evan didn't have school today and the weather was beautiful, so we packed up a lunch and headed over there.

We were all starving when we got there, so the first thing we did was eat lunch.


Right along side a flock of geese.




After we ate, we went down to watch the boats pass through the locks. The big lock was closed for cleaning (it was pretty cool to see that huge thing when it was empty), but the small one was busy.



Lots of retired people on their big fancy yachts... and even a canoe!






After watching the locks fill and empty a few times, we headed to the other side of the canal to see the fish ladder. When they built the locks, they were nice enough to include a way for the salmon to still get up and down stream. You can go under and see the fish swimming along through the windows. (It was super dark inside.)


They had this sculpture there that the boys thought was pretty cool. (Asher is showing me the light inside it.)




We also saw a seal! (The little black speck out there in the water.)










The boys had fun climbing up and down this hill...


...until Asher slipped and got his bum all wet and muddy.


That's when we decided it was time to go home.

What a great way to spend a day off of school... and we had such gorgeous weather, too! We'll definitely be going back, especially when the big lock is operating again.