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![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7188/1488/400/the%20gate.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7188/1488/400/in%20the%20lock.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7188/1488/400/gates%20closing.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7188/1488/400/gates%20close%20behind%20us.jpg)
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7188/1488/320/rising%20water.jpg)
we spent the day on a research vessel today - mostly taking readings of water properties and collecting water samples. Raising and lowering the line with one piece of equipment or another all day - but it was fun. For the most part it was gray and spitting rain, but on the way back home there were a few sun breaks. We saw a bunch of sea lions just hanging out in the water together - too cute. And I got some pics of the ballard locks as we were going through.