Wind Star 2007 (7) |
Panama Canal and home This page created 12/19/07
|
|
|
Gatun Lake is an artificial lake created by damming several different rivers. It is filled with small islands which once were the tops of the hills. It is illegal to build on any of the islands in the lake. The one exception is the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island. |
| Work is underway to expand the canal by building two new lock complexes, constructing approach channels for the new locks and deepening the existing navigation channel in Gatun Lake. The plan is to have this completed by 2014. Here is one of the barges seen going into the Gaillard Cut. I don't know if it is involved with the expansion project or just part of the normal maintenance of the channel. | 
|
|
This is the visitors center at the Miraflores locks, the last locks before we enter the Pacific. Unfortunately there was no way that we could go ashore and see the center. I am not sure if the crowds of people watching and waving were just for our sailing ship or if people greeted all ships that way. |
| This is the Bridge of the Americas which carries the Pan American Highway over the canal. Because of the tall masts on the Wind Star, we had to tie up at a dock until low tide in order to have clearance when passing under the bridge. | 
|
|
After the canal we had two more days at sea before landing at Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. For me the remainder of the trip was a good excuse to relax and read. Nothing, in my opinion, could top the passage through the Panama Canal. We stayed over for one day in Costa Rica but did not do any touring. I think we were wearing out and ready to go home. We'll save Costa Rica for another trip someday. When we finally did get home, this is what greeted us! |