Ballard Locks

 

With the weather once again on our side this morning, we set out to explore Ballard Locks and Fremont, both located along the narrow man-made waterway that connects the salty expanse of Puget Sound with the freshwater lakes of Union and Washington.

The Ballard Locks, a key connection between Puget Sound's saltwater and Salmon Bay's freshwater, stand as an essential piece of Seattle's maritime infrastructure. Impressively, much of the original construction and accompanying service buildings still operate as initially intended. What’s truly noteworthy is that the early 20th-century engineering behind the locks remains mostly intact and operational, showcasing the remarkable foresight and craftsmanship of its creators.

The facility includes two side-by-side locks, one designed for sizable cargo vessels (above) and the other tailored for smaller boats (below).

Unfortunately, we missed the chance to watch a large vessel navigate through the main lock, but we did get to see several smaller boats make their way through the narrower channel, which was still a fascinating sight.

A standout feature of this complex is its one-of-a-kind salmon ladder, uniquely positioned at the confluence of salt and freshwater. Visitors can also enjoy a designated viewing area where they can watch salmon pausing and gathering strength before ascending the ladder.

We turned it into a fun little challenge—trying to snap a photo of one of the many salmon leaping out of the water in the smaller lock channel. Catching the moment is no easy feat, though; these lively fish are notoriously unpredictable, making it almost impossible to guess when or where they'll breach the surface.

Just downstream from the Ballard Locks stands a rail bridge that sees frequent use by BNSF freight trains, serving as a crucial link between Seattle and its bustling port.

And don't ask me what this art is supposed the represent.

To catch our bus to Fremont, we took a short walk around an industrial area—and along the way, we stumbled upon an unexpectedly familiar sight at the National Nordic Museum. Standing tall was “Freddie Feetsplinter,” a whimsical timber giant crafted by artist Thomas Dambo. The sight instantly struck a chord, as we’ve seen similar larger-than-life wooden sculptures scattered around Mandurah, just an hour’s drive from home.