More Paddling to the Ballard Locks with Felix
We pass Gas Works Park which was built in 1906 to convert gas from coal and later on from crude oil. It was abandoned in the
1950s when natural gas became available.
1950s when natural gas became available.
As we approached the canal, we discovered that Felix had arranged for the four lane draw bridge to be raised for our passage.
On the canal, we passed many docked boats.
Nine miles into our paddle, we arrived at the Ballard Locks. The voice of God boomed over a speaker. "Kayakers, get out of
the way. A big barge is coming through." Then the voice of God declared, "Kayakers, the small lock is closed. Kayakers may
not go through the big lock." A little disappointed, we paddled back a half mile to a take out where Felix's wife Connie met us
with their car. After shuttling to our cars and mounting our kayaks on our cars, we went to view the Ballard Locks the ordinary
way, from the side of the Lock. (The yacht, the Sweet Pea, according to a web site, gets 15 gallons per mile.)
the way. A big barge is coming through." Then the voice of God declared, "Kayakers, the small lock is closed. Kayakers may
not go through the big lock." A little disappointed, we paddled back a half mile to a take out where Felix's wife Connie met us
with their car. After shuttling to our cars and mounting our kayaks on our cars, we went to view the Ballard Locks the ordinary
way, from the side of the Lock. (The yacht, the Sweet Pea, according to a web site, gets 15 gallons per mile.)
Finally, we went down to the fish ladder where we looked at the salmon coming up the fish ladder.
As usual, Felix gave us a wonderful paddle.
