Back in the Pacific!
Screen shot of Intrepid passing through the Miraflores Locks
What a morning! I woke up with Ben, sat for a quiet few moments before the boys called with the news that they would soon be in the Miraflores Locks!
I got to the computer but there was no Internet connection! Not good.
It wasn't long before we were online and on the web cams at the Centennial Bridge and Miraflores Locks. The web cam handlers must have known that Zac was coming because at one point the camera zoomed straight in to the cockpit of Intrepid! (see photo above)
The banner on the bow is a sign that Laurence made for our anniversary - which is today. It is hard to describe the emotion of seeing them pass through the last locks, knowing how far Zac has come and having a love poster as well!
It has been an incredible day for sure.
They are heading over to the Flamenco Marina in Panama City and will hopefully find a slip for a few days. Zac's sail is due to arrive soon. He will have quite a welcome once he arrives. He has been invited on a tour of the city by the Tourism Department in Panama City. He has some filming to do and some photo ops for sponsors and then to the grocery store to reprovision and make that 'right turn' towards home!
Thank you to all of you who met this morning on the blog. It was a blast.
Unfortunately, there was a link posted last night while the comment moderation was off that apparently linked to a place with a virus. Therefore, I'll be turning the moderation feature back on - so sorry!
More news later...
Marianne
posted by Zac at
11:07 AM
32 Comments:
Indeed Marianne, what a morning! Just incredible. It won't be long now and you will get that hug you have waited so long for!
Blessings -
Marie
Marianne, Zack has a lot of us Grandmas following his journey.
He is almost home, and yes, your son is returning a man.
Our hearts are filled with joy and pride.
Love Judith
YEAH ZAC!!!!!!!!
I've been working and not able to join in the watch party, but is is sure great seeing you back in the Pacific... Great times and milestone in the quest.
Congratulations!
Bob in OKC
Marianne,
First, Happy Anniversary!...Second, I was able to catch the last few seconds of Intrepid crossing Miraflores locks...I was so bummed that I was not able to see the whole thing but delighted to read all the comments by the Zac pacers...thank you so much...Zac...you are tremendous...enjoy your respite.
Betty E., Lomita, CA
WOW he is around the corner from home ! it doesn't seems like Zac has been on this adventure for almost a year, prolly a life time for his family.
This is so exciting. I will be in line for his book when it comes out. Any chance of getting an autographed copy? even if I have to pay $$ for one. He sure seems like a great kid and the story he has to tell. WOW, I'm about to burst with pride and excitement over this accomplishment and I don't even know Zac except for here.
bob
Missed the show....couldn't get any screen up/running here in South Africa...of course to many of you blocking the data !!
Now Zac can go for the last leg and as usual I say........Go Zac, Go !
A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY INDEED !!!!!! I sit amazed, but not really, that Zac is back in the Pacific. Wow, such a year - I know, it is not over yet and the prayers will continue for Zac to be diligent and joyful every minute on the sail for home.
Have a great rest of the day, Marianne.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Happy Anniversary to some very proud parents! I have been in awe of your family! I have loved following Zac's journey...just another month to go! The prayers will continue...
Another one of those Grandmas!
Martha Holley, Ventura, CA
Here a batch of hi res and low res shots of them approaching and exiting the lock as well as the closeups of the sign etc., that was posted earlier, in case anyone missed it.
I hope Mom isn't refering to me having posted the link to the zip file as being a virus :-( nothing but images in a .zip file.
Mom can collect them from here, it will be on the server for 7 days, and she can sort through them and post whatever she likes, or simply repost the .zip on her server.
http://www.yousendit.com/download/MnFpL0dITmF0QTNIRGc9PQ
It's so exciting to know that he is almost home! Happy Anniversary!
Margaret
Congrats! You (all) have been in our prayers for some time. Glad that you are back on this side of the globe. You are a great example of having a dream and then making it happen. It is impossible, yet you have done it!- burkebile@hotmail.com
Marianne,
What a wonderful morning!
I join the the large group who have such admiration for Zac and your family.
It won't be long until we're together and watching him arrive home.
Thanks for making it possible for us to tag along on the adventure.
Linda
Pasadena
Our 2009 American Idol is for sure "Zac Sunderland"!!
How is this a solo navigation when he has about 3 other people on his boat going through the canal. Just a thought. Solo on aircraft mean the pilot is the sole person on board. Still a great feat. and I have read every day since the beginning.
What can I say? Awesome, epic, another victory of being wild at heart (in a good way) and doing hard things.
Happy anniversary to Mom and Dad.
--Jack Mulkey in the South Bay
Happy Anniversary, Marianne and Laurence! And what a unique message!
And of course, Welcome back to the Pacific, Zac!
Happy Anniversary to a GREAT COUPLE! How shmoopie that Lawrence would send you a virtual LOVE NOTE - you have some good men in your life, M.A. A mother's card all the way from St. H and an anniversary "card" from the Panama Canal! Very cool!
God has truly blessed Zac's "Great Adventure!" I am looking forward to "seeing" Panama City through the eyes of Zac, Jen - and how much longer will Lawrence be down there? Well, MORE blessings and travel mercies to all of Team Intrepid.
Are you on to the Galapogus Islands after this - or straight home to MDR?
Rest, Repair, Reprovision and Recreate, Captain! ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURE - as we tag along!
LA in MN
Was Laurence able to "hire on" as one of the linehandlers? How cool would that have been!
Apologies for the bad post last night. Have much to learn. Quite unintentional, if any problems were caused. Scary!
On a more positive note:
Blessings to all. Thank you to Zac and to all the Sunderlands for sharing this fantastic voyage.
Janis
Woodland Hills, CA
What a great day!
Happy Anniversary!
I was in meetings most of the day and wasn't able to watch live. Following Zac has been a blast and I can't believe that he is winding his journey down! Pacific Ocean! Wow, the days seem to fly faster than ever now.
Enjoy the party Zac!
To whomever posted the yousendit.com link to the canal transit photos. The link just goes 404...can you check and re post please.
I missed the real time event this morning!
Steve in CA
Jeeze back with the solo Panama Canal thing.
Let's do it the easy way shall we :-)
Let's pretend Panama City on the other side is the main port of Panama. You approach Panama from the Atlantic side. Once you are in Panamanian waters you are in Panama. You have arrived. Your journey stops there. Now to get to the port of Panama you take this long river inland in order to reprovision and do repairs. Since you have already arrived at Panama, it doesn't matter how you get to the port inland. Whether boat tows you up the river to the port or a river guide sits on your lap instructing you :-)
The only Port to Port that counts is the start and finish port.
Very very simple :-))
The link that starts http://www.yousendit.com is incomplete - takes you to a "404 Not found".
Can you re-post?
Thanks
DD (UK)
PS: Sorry about double post - I didn't see moderation was back on and thought I'd not actually posted! :)
Anonymous -
You are legally required to have line handlers going thru the canal.
Congrats Zac. Even though you are still a ways off, it still feels closer when you are at least on the same ocean I can look out and see! Home is just around the corner and down the block!
Karyn in Simi
Here the photos in a 7 mb zip. Start from 26 backwards to see them arrive etc. I think blogger blocks dot zip urls:
http://tinyurl.com/otqca3You'll click a download button which takes you to another page.
Scroll down to where it says premium and you will see a timer, wait 60 seconds and the timer turns into a button that you click to down load the file.
Free file hosting services, what can I say.
Thanks for the photo!! Lovley (:
God Speed to Zac! Safe trip home for Laurence and Happy Anniversary!
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
ps.....the bottom on Wombat is complete and looks awesome....tomorrow.....wax ON, wax OFF!!
Isn't it amazing what a difference sleep makes - even though I missed the live coverage of the rest of the passage through the canal, having now rested I am SO chuffed to bits for Zac, Marianne, Laurence and the whole tribe: what a landmark (should that be waypoint? LOL) day for all of you!
Let's all take a minute, if you please, to reflect on the skill and expertise of ALL the crew on board those 2 sailboats during this transit...
a monohull rafted to a catamaran;
not only moving forwards but even making controlled turns in closely confined quarters (at times only 100' wide with a combined vessel length & beam of about 50' square) - and all that despite being uneven, unmatched, unbalanced & out of sync. (and so on & so forth, you get the idea!) in terms of engine/prop position & power etc..
Good job, well done - not bad... not bad at all!
(Going back to bed to get more sleep, now - it seems to do me good! LOL)
PS To those who KEEP asking about the validity as a solo circumnavigation, this has been covered repeatedly in previous blog entries and associated comments thereafter - and I'm pretty sure it's dealt with in the FAQs of Zac's mainsite... PLEASE take the time & make the effort to look first ('cos otherwise you're actually missing out on good stuff!), think second & "speak" last! ;-)
@Anita... Congrats for finishing the paint project! This will be a day you'll not soon forget! Enjoy!
What ARE we all going to do once Zac gets home???
Marie
WA St.
I reckon they are sucking back a few icey cold beers!
Marianne HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! I'm sure you'll both celebrate when Laurence gets home. I must admit watching your two oldest men going through the locks was not that bad. Zac will be home soon and I'm sure it will make you feel tingly all over when he arrives back in MDR.
Great job with the banner Laurence!!! I know your smiling Marianne. The entire family will reunite very soon.
Locked in MDR,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
OMG! I can hardly believe this whole scenario! I feel so much a part of it. I have been reading the website everyday, in some cases waiting a few days for Zac or Marianne to post, ha- since before he left Ca. Now, he is only a mere 3500 miles away. The adventures, the problems, the people, the elders, the weather and Zac the man. My hats off to you. But like they say, “it’s not over yet”. Do not let your guard down. Beating to weather will be a lot of work. Cudos to Lawrence and Marianne for your anniversary. Lawrence I love the way you sent your anniversary card on the side of Intrepid. It’s nice to know the spark is still well and alive as it shows in the love that Zac has spilled forth around the world. In less than 30 days Zac will be back and most likely looking for another adventure. Ah, but it will be study time again. From all of us in Reno, we’re looking forward to the book that will follow. Best of luck.
Captain Xray ~_/)
PS Don't worry about the naysayers and the solo through the canal. There is only one way to transit through there.
Hats off to the parents of Zac! You guys are awesome! Happy Anniversary! Second, standing ovation for Zac. What a MAN! My four year old son Jackson and I have been following you since you left Marina Del Ray last June. We read your blog everyday. An incredible inspiration to all of us. God speed and God bless you all. You are all in our prayers.
The Marks Family
Raleigh NC
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home