Bridge to Ballard

URBAN HIKE: This afternoon we were in search of an adventure. I decided it would be interesting to go somewhere we've been thousands of times before, but never been, in a way. ...

We decided to park at Fisherman's Terminal, at the southwest end of the Ballard Bridge, and then walk across the bridge. It sounds simple enough, but it's a heavily trafficked area, there's construction everywhere around the south end of the bridge, and there are surprisingly few entry points to get on the bridge. You can (and we did) wind up going quite a ways out of your way at points.

It was a very urban hike. We passed many a homeless encampment, tons of graffiti and litter, and inhaled far too much auto exhaust. I'm hoping the walk was still good for us, however. It ended up being a 2.5 hour adventure. 

It was cool to get to see things we can't see from the car, like what's over the east side of the bridge. We saw a 1908 boat being restored, and marveled at its big ol' wood beams in its hull.

And I just loved the flower box on the dilapidated building on the pier. Can you spot it?

We checked out the bridge tender's quarters like never before. 

We finally reached the break in the bridge, where it separates when it lifts. We peered at the sparkling water below.

Here's CJ living dangerously. Good thing no big ships came! ...

As we got nearer the east end, the kids knew a Top Pot Donuts awaited in that gray building you see beyond the big boats.

At the east end of the bridge, we stopped to admire the iconic Mike's Tavern sign. The place has been in the family for three generations, and has been featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives."

South Ballard has also become a destination for microbrews. Within a few blocks you'll find Maritime Pacific, Reuben's Brews, Peddler Brewing Co., Hilliard's, and NW Peaks. We stopped by NW Peaks for the first time ever today. It's cozy (translation - tiny!) and it's dining (quaffing?) area is mainly a small patch of blacktop surrounded by chain link and plastic tables dotted with bird droppings. Such ambiance! But we enjoyed it nonetheless. The hard working owner was very friendly and knowledgeable, and we were thrilled to have a place to sit for a few minutes.

On our way back across, I was actually quite happy to see we got stuck by a bridge lift. It gave us a chance to get a real close look at the opening mechanism (so quiet!), and more time to soak up the view.

We had a nice look at some boats heading for the Ballard Locks ...

and Fishermen's Terminal. Our neighborhood is the hill in the background. 

Back at Fishermen's Terminal, we checked out acres and acres of nets, hundreds of pots, and the always interesting boats. We found this short, stout one sitting on the dock. I bet these are pretty hard to sink.

BUGGED OUT: At the Science Expo last weekend, Seattle Children's Museum was giving away little Ziploc bags with recyclable items (straws, cups, scraps of paper, etc.) in them, as well as a little sheet encouraging kids to make their own bugs.

We plugged in the glue gun and the kids got busy. About a half hour later, they'd produced these...

CJ's in on the left, Annabelle's is on the right.

I asked them each to write a paragraph or two about their bugs. Here's the 411 about Annabelle's bug:

SPECIES FEATURES Species Name: Sluggus Maximus, AKA the Flying Slug Common features: Derp eyes, shell, wings, dual  tails, orange and yellow cottonballs, antennae Eats: Is an omnivore, eats small seeds, tiny flies. Where: Seattle, Washington. Origin:Sluggus Maximus was growing inside a slug egg, when suddenly some extra DNA poured in, leading to the mutations that resulted in wings, a shell, antennae, tails, and its signature poisonus cottonballs.When sluggus maximus emerged from their egg, its wings were all crumpled, and after 3 months it would be able to fly. PERSONAL DATA Name: Charles Gender: male Likes: loop-de-loops, soil, flying Dislikes: being grounded, not being able to find mud, failing a loop-de-loop Family: Slugs, no Flying Slugs yet.

And here's what CJ came up with ...

Common name: Troll

Scientific name: Artemis Maximus

Biography: In 2013, a bug was found in the MPA house. This bug was named Troll, and it appeared to have evolved from spiders, having hatched from a spider egg with genetic mutation along the line. His full scientific name is Artemis Maximus. One of the things that makes him interesting is that he only has 4 legs, and all of them are different colors, although there is a 0.001 / 99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 chance that they will all be the same. Artemis Maximus is omnivore type of animal.