- The Ship Canal Bridge is a double-deck steel truss bridge that carries Interstate 5 (I-5) over Seattle’s Portage Bay (part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, after which it is named) between Capitol Hill and the University District. The canal below connects Lake Union with Lake Washington. Construction was completed in 1961 and the bridge opened to traffic on December 18, 1962. It is 4,429 ft (1,350 meters) long, stands 182 feet above the canal and is 119 feet wide at the upper deck. It was the largest bridge of its kind in the Northwest when it first opened. The bridge is double-decked, with the upper deck carrying traffic in both directions and the lower deck (the express lanes) carrying traffic southbound in the morning and northbound in the afternoon.
- Diablo Lake (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Diablo Lake is a teal gem nestled in the Cascades. Travelers on State Route 20 often stop at the Diablo Lake overlook to marvel at the lake’s vivid hue. Diablo Lake is used as a reservoir, created by the Diablo Dam. It is one of three lakes in the area used for power generation, along with Ross Lake to the north and Gorge Lake to the south. Seattle City Light manages the power generation as part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. The lake is a popular place to kayak or canoe, but be prepared for a chilly swim should the boat tip over; the water temperature of lakes in this area rarely exceeds 50°F, even in summer. This stop is more than just a place to stretch your legs. It is a world of quintessential Cascade vistas of rock spires and snowfields set against a multitude of striking greens and blues. You won’t be disappointed.