We had never been through the locks into the ship canal and beyond to Lakes Union and Washington, so we gave it a go.  We transited the ship canal through the “Ballard Locks” (really the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks run by the Army Corps of Engineers).  We locked up with dozens of king salmon ready to spawn.  We were the first into the locks and they were ahead of us waiting for the gates to open.

We had to make it through 5 drawbridges (the Burlington & Northern Railroad, Ballard, Fremont, University, and Montlake) on our way to Lake Washington.  All were down as we approached them and we had to signal to them (one prolonged blast followed by a short blast of the horn).  We went both ways, so that was 10 total bridge openings.

It was a busy weekend on the water, including all the football fans who go to Husky games via boat, small and enormous.

We stopped at the public dock in Kirkland, and then anchored in Yarrow Bay, anticipating an overnight windstorm and not able to secure moorage at a dock.  I was feted with a lovely dinner, of which, I only had to grill the shrimp.

We were not disappointed, as williwaws hit our boat from 3-4 AM.  As captain of the vessel, I did not sleep through that, feeling and listening (and occasionally looking) for signs that our anchor was dragging or we were to go up onto a lee shore.   In the morning, I had to cut off about 100 pounds of milfoil off the anchor, as it had plowed it up during the night.

The following day, we retraced our steps.   There was a very stiff breeze on Lake Washington, blowing 20+ knots.  Ultimately, we furled our only sail up into a handkerchief size and still did over 7 knots.

We don’t get to see them as often these days and this weekend was a real treat.  They put us up in their MIL upstairs which they rent out as a vacation retreat.  Thanks, guys!

We enjoyed good food and good wine (Walla Walla is known for the latter), and most importantly good company.

There was a side trip to see Waitsburg and Dayton, which are both in the southern end of the Palouse.  I enjoyed seeing both small towns, as I’ve been very curious about them.

Spirit was welcome and that was very nice.  We didn’t have to worry about getting a sitter for her and she joined us for the weekend.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn heard the whole thing and accidentally took my seat when I went up to do a Q&A with Camille.  I thought the Q&A thing would facilitate Camille’s public speaking performance.

Yesterday, in replacing some split siding near the front door, I found these two items.  I believe the first is our original street address.  Our street was named North St before annexation of Ballard by Seattle.  I think the number is likely our house number, as 17th Ave (the nearest cross street to the east) was 1st Ave in the old system.

121 North Street (old Ballard address)

121 North Street (old Ballard address)

Then, to the left of the front door, I found this.  I think it is a man’s name and address.  I’m guessing that he was the builder (or framer) and that the address listed is his.  I only use male pronouns, because it was likely in 1886 that only men built homes.  The writing is cursive, though, and implies some level of literacy.

Neuman

JB Neuman - 1003 2d Ave

I love these discoveries.  They are treasure beneath the surface.  It’s like an archeological dig, right here in Ballard.

Both Kasey and Lucy accepted.  It was planned for a Thursday, so I supervised.  They started the play date by pulling 27 buckets of weeds from the garden!  I didn’t ask them to do it; I merely said I had to do some work on the park (on a computer inside) and they entertained themselves in our vegetable garden by pulling weeds.  You would know how remarkable this is if you understood how hard it is to get the kids to do small chores around the house.  Later, I realized that Camille was, in part, motivated by a standing offer of $0.25 per bucket of weeds pulled.  This netted each girl $2.25.

Then after a bit, we headed to Than Brothers for pho.  After the cream puffs (it must be the French influence on Vietnam), we headed to Golden Gardens for some sandy fun.

Lucy, Camille, and Kasey enjoy pho

Lucy, Camille, and Kasey enjoy pho

beach time at Golden Gardens

beach time at Golden Gardens