Kayak Ballard, Lake Union & Arboretum

Saturday September 1, 2012

Today we did A LOT of kayaking!

We put the kayak in at 14^th Ave NW Boat Ramp in Ballard.

The first part of the paddle was through the industrial shipyard area of Ballard. 

We made our way through the Fremont Cut to Lake Union. 

Paddling under the Fremont drawbridge. 

Then under the Aurora (Hwy 99) bridge that the Fremont troll lives underneath. 

And the houseboats begin. 

Northwestern Lake Union shoreline. 

This sailboat totally cut us off. 

Gasworks. 

More houseboats. 

THE Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. 

More houseboats on the west shorelines. 

The one doing all the paddling. 

Gasworks. 

Downtown Seattle. 

Seaplane landing. 

Caution Seaplanes near the Space Needle.

This seaplane looks like its smiling. 

Great view of the Space Needle & South Lake Union Park from the kayak. 

It was a little nerve-wracking tight quarters when the seaplanes are coming in for a landing, but it made for some nice easy shots. 

Houseboats along the northeastern Lake Union shoreline. 

Saturday of Labor Day weekend on such a gorgeous day has Gasworks Park swarming with people. 

We made a quick pit stop for a potty break at the park.

More north shore houseboats. 

Entering waters along UW campus. 

We paddled through the rough waters of the Montlake Cut 

All the way out to the Washington Park Arboretum. 

Navigating through the lily pads.

View of the UW Stadium under construction while we ate a snack. 

Paddling back to Ballard. 

Downtown view from Lake Union. 

Popular Gasworks Park today.

Big ships getting painted. 

Cute tire-lined bumper boats under Aurora Bridge. 

Cute office building along the Burke Gilman bike trail & the Fremont Cut waterway. 

Boat dog…we’re jealous. 

More tire-lined boats. 

Finally nearing the Ballard dock. We were exhausted. 

We think we paddled close to 15 miles today! Our arms were very weak after all that.