We walked from Bothell Landing today towards Kenmore on the walking vigil placed along the trail by the Bothell Community Kitchen and other groups in the area to remember George Floyd and 21 other unarmed black men, women and children who have been killed.  It was a meaningful walk, some names I knew and others were new.  I highly recommend.  

Oh, and if say you have to step off the trail to retrieve a name that someone callously vandalized by throwing into the grasses, watch out for nettles.

Walked the Burke Gilman north up to Golden Gardens from the Hiram Chittenden locks on this beautiful though chilly Sunday morning.  Parking at the locks is free and plentiful on Sunday. Restrooms at the locks are open and in good condition. Note - the fish ladder observation area is closed for remodeling.  Our route ran up the bluff through the neighborhoods to Sunset Hill park, down through all the Golden Gardens trails then back along Burke Gilman. Total mileage for this messy loop is about 5.3 miles.  No trail issues at all other than minding the “on your right” warnings along Burke Gilman.  

Lots of folks out watching the boats, taking in views and walking their doodle poodles, etc around the neighborhoods and the big dog park at Golden Gardens.  The Army Corp of Engineers is working on their rehab of the big lock and you can see the entire huge insides. Quite a bit of wildlife out, a heron pair making a new nest at the local rookery, lots of ducks at the Golden Garden wetland pond, three big bald eagles circling high over the locks while being harrassed by gulls and crows.  Many people busy getting their boats ready for spring along the Shilshole marina and we had a Coast Guard Marine Protector class Coastal Patrol Boat run up the sound and a pair of F-18 F Super Hornets overfly us southbound while we were out. We also got to watch the BNSF Ballard local back onto the main and make its way south over the big bascule bridge.  Fish & chips at the Totem House or Lockspot make a nice post walk recovery meal.  

A nice little walk with a bit of forest and lots to see. 

With the short days, if you oversleep you may miss your chance to get out there.  I did Forks of Canyon Creek 4 days in a row last week, leaving home before 6 AM and returning after dark.  Today I didn't get up until 11:30 so had to find something close to home.  I rode my bike around the base of Queen Anne with a side trip to SODO.

From Ballard I took the Burke-Gilman to and across the Fremont Bridge.  I went up the Westlake Trail and before Mercer I angled up to the Seattle Center, then over to the waterfront and the Elliott Bay Trail.

I went down the Viaduct-free Alaskan Way to SODO, I wanted to check out the new Northwest Harvest Food Bank on 4th I had seen on the news (it wasn't open).  The US Bank branch in the Starbucks building was giving away coffee, I had to stop for that.

I made my way back up the waterfront, through Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks, the newly completed section of trail past Expedia, and to it's end at Smith Cove Park.  Then took the trail along 20th Ave.W to the Ballard Bridge and home.

Nearly this whole trip is on paths separate from traffic, could be walked but very flat and perfect for riding, took me 4 hours.  I had to add Westlake Trail to the database, may be in there under another name but that's what the City's website calls it.

I walked down to Fred Meyer Ballard, then up the Burke-Gilman to and across the Fremont Bridge, then took the South Ship Canal Trail to the Ballard Bridge and back to Freddy's.

I wasn't going to write about this neighborhood stroll, but I was so surprised by the lack of garbage along the way I wanted to give a shout-out to The Millionair Club and Ballard Alliance for their great work.  I have never seen this area looking so good, I didn't think it could be done.

I used to pick up trash along 65th from Greenwood to 15th nearly every day until my back couldn't take it (I never got one of those gripper things), I know how much work it is.  The Millionair Club is hiring homeless folks to do this work here and around the city.

City walks are some of the best hikes this time of year.  No 10 essentials required, just grab a little cash and go.  I didn't even take water.

I was honored to be the one to enter the Burke-Gilman into the database, I can't believe it wasn't in there already.