{21oct2011: the Locks}

While Jason was off at the climbing gym, Darwin and I killed time walking around the Locks. 
From the US Army Corps of Engineers page:
"The complex of locks sit in the middle of Salmon Bay and are part of Seattle's Lake Washington Ship Canal. They are known locally as theBallard Locks after the neighborhood to their north. (Magnolia lies to the south.)
The locks and associated facilities serve three purposes:

• To maintain the water level of the fresh water Lake Washington and Lake Union at 20 to 22 feet above sea level.
• To prevent the mixing of sea water from Puget Sound with the fresh water of the lakes (saltwater intrusion).
• To move boats from the water level of the lakes to the water level of Puget Sound, and vice versa."

I was trying to get a pretty picture of Darwin on the nice lawn, but she decided she'd rather eat it.

We took in the view of the locks and ship canal.

Then we noticed the flock of geese hanging out.

I was worried for a second that Darwin would want to chase them (she loves chasing birds), but thankfully a quick "leave it" and she turned away ready to do something else.

We headed down to the locks to watch a couple boats loading up getting ready to be moved up to the higher lake level.

Our walk through the Locks ended with a stroll through the flower garden. So pretty!

***Here's a good post explaining the locks and the fish ladder.