The Locks are (is?) one of our favorite desitinations in the Seattle area. Whether it's after a special day celebrating at Ivar's Salmon House or a Sunday AM at Ballard's Trinity United Methodist Church, when we are in the area we almost always stop at the Hiram Chittenden Locks. The beauty of the gardens, the excitement of all size vessels locking through, the band concerts on weekends, and of course the wonderful fish ladder make for a fine day's outing. ...and it's free! If you are in Seattle and Ballard particularly, be sure and stop at the Locks. Here's a picture of the big lock with outbound boats one Sunday in 2007