The Ballard Locks
Lock has a wide variety of meanings - a lock of hair, enlocked arms, a means to secure something. But I couldn't pass by the meaning that has local significance:
Lock: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks known locally as the Ballard Locks are are part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, connecting the fresh water Lake Washington to the salty Puget Sound. These were built between 1911 and 1917. Today they continue under the control of the Army Corp of Engineers transporting both pleasure boats and commercial boats. For more on Locks - here is the Wikipedia entry.
It is always fun to watch the boats enter the lock. It takes a while until boats are secured along the sides and the door close. Then water will fill or empty from the lock to raise or lower the boats depending upon whether they are going to or from the Sound. You can walk along narrow walkways above the massive doors which gives you an excellent view down on the boats. The Locks are a favorite of both locals and tourists.
There is also an excellent garden on the Locks property. The area is very temperate since it is close to the water and it is a good place to see plants exotic to Seattle such as palm trees and Princess Tree. There is also a large terraced grass hillside overlooking the locks which is a favorite place to picnic or just watch the boat traffic.
Here are a few more photos of the Locks.
Grassy slopes - favorite place to boat watch
Railroad Tressle - normally up to for tall or large boats to pass under
Boats heading into the lock from the Puget Sound
Interesting sculpture at the Locks
Comments (20)
Good one Marta - I always enjoy seeing canal lock pics. Yours are great! :)
Posted by leslie | June 13, 2009 2:44 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 02:44
Nice pictures, Marta. Everytime you post something about the area, it makes me want to get back to the NW to explore some more. It's been at least 6 years.
That sculpture is very cool.
Posted by Deborah | June 13, 2009 4:01 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 04:01
Great shots - I was going to go there as well but couldn't find my pictures of the locks we travelled through last summer. There must be a better way to organize photos. *smile*
Posted by Jerry | June 13, 2009 4:17 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 04:17
Great photos. The technology behind a lock like this is amazing. I love that sculpture (and that moving tressle looks like a sculpture too).
Have a nice weekend.
Posted by Annie | June 13, 2009 7:27 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 07:27
I never thought of that kind of lock. Good one!
I played too :)
Posted by Teena in Toronto | June 13, 2009 8:24 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 08:24
Great photos for the Lock subject:)
Posted by bookbabie | June 13, 2009 8:42 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 08:42
Great take on the theme. Interesting shots. I love the sculpture.
Posted by Debbie@Like a Rose | June 13, 2009 8:55 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 08:55
didn't know about that type of locks, now I do
that is an interesting sculpture, quite a beauty
thanks for your visit to my photohunt, I hope you are enjoying your day
Posted by lissa | June 13, 2009 9:46 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 09:46
Great job...I love to find multiple meanings for the themes!
Posted by Claudia | June 13, 2009 10:02 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 10:02
Great series of photos! I would like to take a boat trip through the locks one day :)
Posted by Sue | June 13, 2009 10:16 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 10:16
I find this kind of lock endlessly fascinating.
Posted by Alice Audrey | June 13, 2009 10:18 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 10:18
What a beautiful boat! We have one of these near our home.. on the intercoastal waterway that runs down to Florida. It is an amazing structure! Mine is up here.
Posted by srp | June 13, 2009 10:59 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 10:59
This was a fascinating post and a wonderful look into a beautiful place through your text and photography. Great take on the theme.
Posted by Carver | June 13, 2009 11:03 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 11:03
Great take on theme! I love your photos!
Posted by candi | June 13, 2009 11:39 AM
Posted on June 13, 2009 11:39
Interesting take on the theme! I'd love to be on that grassy hillside overlooking the locks having a picnic and watching the boats pass by.
Cool sculpture. It looks like a curly Q.
Posted by María I. | June 13, 2009 1:10 PM
Posted on June 13, 2009 13:10
Great photos and way to use the theme! I also love the sculpture.
Posted by Palma | June 13, 2009 10:07 PM
Posted on June 13, 2009 22:07
Hey I have been there! I still do not understand the whole concept of how the locks work. I get the purpose but...
Very cool sculpture. Wonderful photos! The Ballard Locks was the first thing I thought of when I saw the theme this week.
Posted by girasoli | June 14, 2009 1:07 AM
Posted on June 14, 2009 01:07
Hi Marta, great take on the theme! Never even thought about this meaning. I also really like your series of photos of the lock including that cool sculpture. That was also interesting seeing the construciton photo and reading about the history. Really amazing.
Have a great Sunday!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 14, 2009 6:18 AM
Posted on June 14, 2009 06:18
Great post on the lock theme.
The seaway locks are so fascinating.
Posted by nancyhol | June 14, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on June 14, 2009 12:53
Very nice sequence of shots of the locks! I thought of using a shot of one of the locks on the C&O canal, but didnot have a good one handy.
Posted by Lew | June 17, 2009 10:55 PM
Posted on June 17, 2009 22:55