Chittenden Locks, #Ballard, WA - #SaturdaySnapshots

Recently I had an opportunity to explore the Chittenden Locks in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. What a great way to spend a day.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

Our group's walk started at Golden Gardens Park and followed a paved walkway alongside Shilshole Bay of Puget Sound. (See map below.) 

Because some members of our group like to stroll while others like to charge ahead, we all stopped to meet up at Leif Erickson's statue for a head count. The Ballard area of Seattle was settled by Scandinavians, and the names of early immigrants are listed on stone pillars surrounding Leif's larger-than-life statue.

A railroad draw bridge spans the ship canal.

The area is surrounded by the beautifully-landscaped Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Gardens, which we explored. They deserve a separate blog post. 

This photo shows the difference in water levels within the locks as compared to the ships in the background.

The locks contain a fish ladder for spawning salmon and other species. Today we saw only one lonely fish trying to make its way upstream. It would be fun to come back again at spawning time.

Stainless steel sculpture titled "Salmon Waves."

Despite the threatening clouds and blustery wind, we didn't get rained on and even had a few sunbreaks during our walk. 

This video is shown at the visitor's center and gives a history of the building of the locks.

Here's a map showing where we walked (from Golden Gardens Park to Chittenden Locks).

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