by Dennis Augustine
Cecile and I spent part of our day exploring the Seattle Aquarium, located right on the waterfront at Pier 59. It’s a beloved local institution—ranked among the top aquariums in the Pacific Northwest and visited by nearly a million people each year. Their mission is deeply tied to marine conservation, especially protecting the ecosystems of Puget Sound and the greater Pacific Ocean.
We were especially captivated by the Window on Washington Waters exhibit—a massive 120,000-gallon tank teeming with local marine life.
When I think of Puget Sound, I think of our friend Brian Walsh, whom Cecile and I met on a small ship operated by American Cruise Lines along with our friends Nelson and Susie Bye a few years ago. He was the guest speaker on a weeklong Puget Sound/Salish Sea voyage.
Brian’s a talented photographer and environmental policy professional, and one of the founding members of #WeArePugetSound, a movement dedicated to preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity. The last photo of the sea lions was actually taken by Brian—reminding us how interconnected these experiences really are.
Seattle’s aquarium is more than a tourist stop—it’s an immersive journey into ocean life, and for us, a meaningful return to the stories and people who’ve deepened our appreciation for these waters.
