"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." - Will Rogers

If you have a flat tire and decide to change it yourself, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, 

especially regarding jack placement. 

Just a quick post from a McDonald's and their free wi-fi before heading back to my brother's for the night. (For reasons I don't understand he doesn't have wi-fi.)

We had b'fast at an indie coffee shop and then headed down to the Ballard Locks where we met my older brother Scott & his wife Lora, and Scott's son and wife Paul & Debra, and their daughter Lauren. Paul was my associate at our church back in MI.

The Locks are a must-see when visiting Seattle. Fascinating. In addition to the locks themselves which get boats from one level to the other (Elliot Bay on Puget Sound to/from the Lake Washington ship canal, about 40' higher in elevation) there's the fish ladder that allows salmon to make that same journey. Right now the Sockeye run is in full swing and they're seeing all-time record numbers of fish all over the spawning routes in the Northwest. Sockeye are the smallest of the species and the Chinook and King that will go through later in the season are more impressive for their size, the sheer number of fish today was amazing. 

On a summer Saturday the pleasure craft are almost as numerous as the salmon. OK, not really close, but there are a lot of them. All sizes, kinds, and abilities (behind the helm). Fascinating to watch, and fun to pick, "OK, that's my favorite." By the time they had the bigger of the two locks loaded with boats we needed to move on, so we never did see the completion of the transit. 

But wait! There's more!

I had posted that we would be at the locks this morning and as we were walking in who should appear but the Jelsemas! Vince and Kathy and their kids were in our church in MI and moved to the Seattle area not long after we moved to Arizona. They had planned a trip to the locks and when they heard we were going to be there they decided this was the time. It was GREAT to see them, their girls so tall and growing taller, and see the three youngest for the first time. A treat indeed!

Lunch with Scott & Lora, then over to the folks' where we visited. Scott & Lora had to leave but we enjoyed dinner and more visiting with mom and dad. 

The weather once again was perfect. A great day in every respect. Now a night's sleep, b'fast with the folks, and getting the trailer hitched back up. Then south to Jesse Honeyman State Park just south of Florence. The next post from camping!!