#RevisitSeattle The Ballard Locks
A long time ago, I spent a lot of time in Ballard. Friends, shopping, nights out I don’t remember with friends I’ll never forget. The one constant was they almost always ended at Denny’s after 2am with a lot of laughter. 🙂
Today’s adventure took us to the Ballard Locks. It’s been so many years since I’ve been in Ballard, honestly, I barely recognize it anymore – a common theme on the #RevisitSeattle adventures. Gone are the many little shops and houses that added to Ballard’s charm. Lombardi’s a staple of Ballard’s ‘fine dining’ is no longer there and is something depressing like a Starbucks. But the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) and the Carl S English, Jr. Botanical Garden are still as charming as I remembered them.
When you enter the front gates, you enter into the main garden area. Carl S. English, Jr. was a botanist and horticulturalist hired in 1931 to create a garden around the locks. For forty years nurtured and improved the garden until he retired. As you walk around, especially with an active 4 year old, you can feel the love in the garden, how it’s laid out, how well it’s tended, how incredibly peaceful it is. There are spaces for kids to run around, squirrels, pinecones and gorgeous flowers and plants to explore. Just walking around, the view was incredible. Then on to the Locks.
The Locks were the most interesting to my son. First there was the boats going through the locks. He’s a boy. Boats. No explanation needed. But the real delight was when he got to stand on the platform and watch the water level go up and down on one side, and the waterfall cascading out of the locks on the other side. He kept saying “Mommy look! Look!” I think those are the words every Mom loves to hear. Such pure happiness and joy over the simplest things!
When we got into the underwater observation room YoungMasterV was beside himself. He was so excited, jumping up and down, squealing “Mommy Look! A fish! A fish!” and running from window to window to find the next fish heading up the ladder. We had snacks and watched the salmon for a while, then headed back out into the sunshine.
There’s a really interesting sculpture outside the fish ladder called “Salmon Waves” by artist Paul Sorey. The seven steel wave sculptures sparkle in the sunshine, standing powerfully tall and throwing some beautiful shadows. The sculpture is an irresistible draw for kids inviting them to run, play tag, and swing on the shiny silver waves.
With promises of ice-cream, we headed back towards our car, making a quick stop at the visitors center/museum where we were given a fun frisbee to enjoy. What a great way to spend a summer morning.
It’s funny, I remember coming here on a school field trip and one time about ten years ago with some friends after a long bike ride. But it’s been forever! The more places I’ve rediscovered, the more I’m falling in love with this beautiful city of ours.
