Cutting Oak's toenails is a very stressful activity for the whole family. To avoid such unpleasantness Oak tries to remove my arm from its socket as we attempt a dignified stroll down city sidewalks. Oak's forceful insistence on a quicker pace is so effective that he has not faced the clippers for years. This weekend we tried two longer loops to my nearest urban fishing retreats.
Green Lake
Green Lake also happens to be one of my favorite examples of grand planning that would never fly today. The Olmstead's (of Central Park and Chicago fame) designed many of Seattle's green spaces. The lake was surrounded by a road and homes but the master plan called for the lake level to be lowered 7 feet, creating ample space for joggers, hula hoopers, fishermen, and flame twirlers to mingle.
 |
Duck Island - Not natural either, its floating habitat. Good roost for bald eagles and osprey |
The Arboretum
Sunday's walk was a chance to stroll along another former lake bed and marvel at the stones of Seattle's early residents. Lake Washington was dropped by 8 feet to allow for a lock system to connect it with the Puget Sound. Rivers were redirected and new islands saw the light of day. Our path took us over a series of these young islands connected by board walks. As anyone who has had the misfortune of experiencing my version of a Seattle tour or stood too close at a party can attest, I am a sucker for a good construction project. This walk had the bonus of being alongside the new 520 bridge (April opening) and the newest light rail extension (March). The bridge floats on concrete pontoons that were built next door to our biodiesel plant in Aberdeen, floated across the ocean, and passed through the locks. Sometimes having a senior politician in your district pays off...
 |
| Oak - Not the least bit interested in history or investigating new construction |
 |
| Montlake Cut - What you need to dig if you want to drain a lake. A tricky bit of water to navigate when the yachts start the waves bouncing off the walls. |