I woke up one recent Saturday with an urge to paddle a board around on the water. Why? Probably because my wife bought me a board rental and lesson with Washington Surf Academy for Father's Day in cahoots with my brother's wife, who did the same for him. Ever paddled a board around on the water? According to Surf Ballard, where we rented our boards, it's the fastest growing watersport in the world. I'd had an interest in trying it out for some time. My wife knew this, I guess, and set me up for a fun day.

So we ventured forth towards an enjoyable day out. Or maybe a day in. Puget Sound, that is. As it turns out, it's quite fun, and even more relaxing.

From Surf Ballard, we cut straight down to the water and climbed up on our boards in a shallow little bay. Then, because the wind was strong and not going to allow us to head southwest towards the lighthouse at Discovery Park, we curled southeast along the shore and followed the inlet towards the Ballard Locks.

We celebrated Independence Day this year by kicking off the crabbing season - for the first time ever - at Kayak Point. Since you can see that I have no pictures of crabs on display below you might guess that we didn't catch any. That would be correct. The crabs held their independence this round. It was only fitting. 

We stayed until just dusk was approaching and then scampered back home just in time to grab a quick dinner and head over to catch the dazzling display of fireworks shot high above the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. My daughter enjoyed the their sight, not as much their feel. So we watched from the car and saved "film" for the real show. A private show, for which we had an exclusive invite. My buddy's. I actually wasn't planning to shoot fireworks at all, but after watching for a bit I thought, hey, I might as well have some fun doing what I do while my buddy's having fun doing what he does. So I fetched out my camera and took a couple impromptu shots of him lighting off things that shot around and exploded.

Hadn't been to the Woodland Park Zoo in awhile. Maybe since elementary school. It seems like many of the exhibits have been remodeled or renovated since then, but it could be I just don't remember those details. We got the discounted winter rates, and animal activity. Not much, that is to say. I think everyone and everything was just trying to stay warm. Lots of huddling in little corners and such. The Pacific Blue Chowder house served us some clam chowder that really hit the spot, along with a complimentary fry. That was a little bingo.

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In Deadwater Slough, off the Snohomish River near Everett, WA, there's an old abandoned boat. It's been there for years, isn't unknown, and apparently might be there for awhile. It's been on the back of my mind to take pictures of it since I first noticed it several years ago. I had some free time this past weekend to go out shooting with one of my nephews, so we settled on this and I started mapping out how we might get access to it. As it turns out, just north of where the slough joins the Snohomish, there's a little park called Spencer Island Park. Maybe standing on the south tip of the island would get us close enough for a telephoto lens? ... Wait, what's this park all about now? Maybe it'd be worth checking out. Plus, no mapping and brush-busting necessary. And it wouldn't be a problem for the family either so my little girl could get some fresh air. Talked myself right into it. We headed out just before dusk. The abandoned boat at Deadwater Slough would be tabled yet again.

As the tide came in, the sun set, and the temperature dropped, we walked along the main trail and watched for birds and signs of other wildlife. There were mostly ducks and herons, lots of them. For being so near the city, the setting also offered some neat wetland reflections and landscapes. And although it wasn't totally serene (there were some funny smells that we chalked up the saltwater and there were other folks about), it was something to explore. If we didn't get any startling imagery, we at least found a new place to take a stroll. That's something, isn't it?

There's many birds to complement the many shops at Country Village. These doves were tucked way in the back by the Iron Horse Railway train. This was the first time I'd heard a dove call, that I recall, and now I understand why they represent "peace." That is exactly the feeling you get when you hear their call.

Pass me the horn, I want to give a toot for Washington. You don't need to travel far here to view some world-class scenery. For a guy with such an affinity for taking pictures - such as me - it sure is a great place to call home. I'm a lucky guy.

Even though I've lived in Washington my entire life and have spent a lot of time exploring it, I still find out about things and places I never knew about. Picnic Point was almost just such a place. I'd seen it before, but had never been there. Let me explain. Many years ago I rode the Sounder commuter train from Everett to Seattle. A ride I recommend, by the way, especially at sunrise. It is prime! Anyway, the route follows the east shore of the sound and you pass some beaches along the way. Mukilteo and Golden Gardens are a couple of them. I'd already known about Mukilteo. The others I didn't know about. I later searched out Golden Gardens. I didn't search out Picnic Point and until just recently, when some friends invited us to a BBQ at Picnic Point, I had only a name-less and place-less memory of it as just one of the beaches I enjoyed viewing from comfort of the train. Now, I'll have to go explore the others. I'm sure they're also worth the trip.

Picnic Point is, as the name suggests, a great place to have a picnic. Or a BBQ. From the parking lot, you cross the railroad tracks, fenced on both sides, via a footbridge and come out on the grass. The grassy area is a nice and is supplied with picnic tables, grills, and a view of the Olympic Mountains across the sound. Trains occasionally pass by and you get to see, hear, and feel them as they roar along. Walking out onto the rocky beach gives you a view up and down the Sound. Although I didn't go in the water, it appeared to be a pretty shallow and safe slope. However, don't take my word for it. All in all, it was a great place to finally go.