September 29th was departure day for my guests. The plane left late afternoon, so the morning was available for activities. Yvonne decided to stay home and prepare for the journey ahead, while Peter and I stayed close to home, not wanting to be delayed somewhere and miss the plane.
There always seems to be activity at the Locks, and today was
no exception. And this seagull seems to be keeping an eye on it too.
Being mid week (Wednesday to be precise) there was quite a bit of
commercial traffic passing through. The larger boat at the back
is a tour boat. And the lock gates at the far end are starting
to close, so the lock was about to fill.
After the water level was raised, the craft in the above photo
left, and the downstream traffic entered. The
"Virginia V"
is now operated by a non-profit corporation. It is a National
Historic Landmark, being the last wooden hull, steam-powered
vessel on the US West Coast, and the last of Puget Sound's
"Mosquito Fleet", which provided transportation before the
state ferry system, or even many roads were built. When the
ship pulled into the lock, Peter asked one of the people on
board about it. You'd have thought he asked for some deep state
secret, and eventually we got the answer "Virginia V". Oh well...
Fortunately the WWW is around to help out.
Not need to introduce the Concorde - a plane unlike any other.
Well, except the Russian equivalent!
Peter in front of two of the Concorde's engines.
The very first 747 built. Showing some signs of wear, but then
it's over 30 years old, and been out in the weather most of its life!
A trio of Boeings - 747 number 1 on the left, a 727 on the right,
and the top right is the tail of a retired Air Force One, used
by the Kennedys and LBJ.
Also parked out the front of the Museum of Flight is a B-47,
a plane I can't identify and a Harrier 'jump jet' in the foreground.
Developed by the British, and with vertical takeoff capability,
this one was used by the US Marines.
By now it was time to head home, and finish packing before taking Yvonne and Peter to the airport to catch their plane to Chicago and thence London. It had been quite an enjoyable trip, and we had seen quite a few new parts of the country.
And in less than 2 days, I'd be off to Quebec.
RtW Tour Pages