Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Lake Washington Ship Canal


W is for Lake Washington Ship Canal

Between the southeast end of freshwater Lake Washington and the salt water of Puget Sound there's a man enhanced connector called the Lake Washington Ship Canal.


Using this waterway boats and other watercraft can make their way from freshwater Lake Washington, through the Montlake Cut to Portage Bay and Lake Union, through the Fremont Cut to Salmon Bay (which is a mix of fresh and salt water), and finally through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to Puget Sound.

A cruiser heading through the Montlake Cut.

Wayne and I visited Seattle to go to the University of Washington for NCAA women's softball regionals and a WNBA Seattle Storm vs Phoenix Mercury basketball game at Key Arena.

Brittany Griner and the Phoenix Mercury vs Seattle Storm.

We walked a lot and enjoyed the Lake Union Ship Canal Trail from the UW campus down to Portage Bay. Rather than following the traditional southern route, we used the northern side to reach the Aqua Verde Mexican food restaurant for dinner one day, and lunch the next. I highly recommend them. There's a great view and I had the best chili rellano ever!

All along the Montlake Cut there are benches and picnic tables. We relaxed after our lunch one day watching kayakers leaving the Aqua Verde Paddle Club and geese and ducks enjoying the fresh grass and flowers.

Two families of Canada Geese enjoying a Portage Bay park.

There was even a beautiful Laburnum tree in full bloom.

Beautiful Laburnum Tree in bloom and I-5 in the background.

On the way back to the UW campus for a game we passed the university's oceanography dock with it's hefty research boats waiting for another expedition.

The UW research vessel dock at the end of the Montlake Cut.

Seattle has many areas to explore, but for us the University District is a favourite. What's yours? Do you have any recommendations for restaurants and places to explore? -- Margy

23 comments :

  1. On the map it looks like a fun byway. Traveling through a city that way seems so mellow.

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    1. The boats were very slow in the narrow channel to keep the wakes down. - Margy

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    1. We've been to this area many times, but this was the first walk down the Ship Channel. It was very beautiful in a busy city. - Margy

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  3. Hello, it is a pretty area. I have always loved visiting Washington State. Have a happy day!

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    1. There are so many things to see and do in our State. - Margy

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  4. Live basketball is more interesting than watching it on TV

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  5. Wonderful views... a places on this planet I most probably never will see for my self… what a wonderful result of a meme on internet

    Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/22-w

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    1. That's the beauty of link parties. You get to travel the world from home. - Margy

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  6. Great visit you had. Loved the water shots!

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    1. We enjoy visiting Seattle. It has lots of things to do and see. And it has some great restaurants. - Margy

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  7. Looks like you had a grand time in Seattle. I think the city is beautiful but I'm afraid I don't know it well. My favourite route is the drive from Pike Place Market area up to Daybreak Star Cultural Centre located in Discovery Park. I haven't been there for many years.

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    1. We have favourite spots too. Thanks to Google maps we can get around to other spots if needed, but it is a busy place to drive for sure. - Margy

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  8. The Pacific Northwest is truly beautiful, both USA and Canada!

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    1. We enjoy both sides of the border, but of course Powell River and Powell Lake best. - Margy

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  9. ...beautiful skies out there on the 'wetcoast.'

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    1. Yes, we can get a bit wet in most seasons except summer. - Margy

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  10. Beautiful photos. Although I am a bit afraid of those geese, geese and I are not friends.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Birgitta. - Margy

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  12. Thanks everyone for stopping and taking the time to comment this week. I love sharing our fun trips and other experiences. - Margy

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy