Exploring Seattle - Ballard Locks

Mom wanted to take the boys to see the Ballard Locks (aka Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) in the Lake Washington Ship Canal.  Jammy wasn't sure that he wanted to see locks, but he changed his mind when he got there.

The locks work like elevators, making it possible for boats to travel back and forth between freshwater lakes 20 feet above sea level and the salty Puget Sound below.

The first thing that happened when Jammy and Macho arrived at the locks was that a big, fat squirrel greeted the boys at the gate. Macho gave it a piece of muffin.










Next the boys found a trail of fish medallions embedded in the path. Mom told them it would lead to the fish ladder, but they reached the locks first.

There were no boats in the locks when Jammy and Macho first got there, but after a couple of minutes a little boat came in from the Puget Sound.  The captain of the boat tied it to the wall with a rope, the gate closed behind it, and the water level rose to lift the boat up.  When the water inside the lock was level with the lake, the gate opened on the freshwater side, and the boat glided into the lake.

Jammy had to admit this was cool!

The boys stayed to watch a few more boats go through. They saw a boat with a dog, a tugboat, and a sheriff's boat. 

 After they watched the boats for a little while, Jammy and Macho followed the fish medallion trail to its end at the salmon ladder.  This particular fish ladder is unique because it is a pathway between salt and fresh water.  It has an indoor viewing area where the boys could see fish making their way across. They also read educational signs and looked at the development of salmon eggs.

On top of the fish ladder observation area is a sculpture called Salmon Waves. Jammy and Macho thought it was cool, but it's supposed to be even cooler after dark.















All too soon it was time to go. Jammy and Macho had a wonderful time at the locks, but the most special part was that they got to explore them with their Greatest of Grannies.

There is no charge to visit the locks, but the parking lot fee must be paid in advance. The boys' tour took them about an hour, and they could have easily spent another hour looking around. The grounds have several more things to see, including a visitor center with a gift shop and the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden.

(Thank you DeliciousBaby.com for the outing idea! Jammy & Macho also approved of Debbie's Ballard recommendation of Clover.)