Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Panama Days

















It is great to be back in the Pacific now and getting ready for the final leg of the trip.

We have been doing some last minute repairs and talking about routes northwards. I have also been interviewing quite a bit which has kept me very busy.

The trip through the canal went very well. I ended up rafting up with some friends of mine on a catamaran called Pura Vida - it means something like pure life.

Anyway, we motored toward the first locks (the Gatun Locks) just as the sun was setting and by the time we reached the first set of locks it was dark. The canal operates 24/7 so we got raised through the first set of locks which consisted of three chambers each raising the boat about 20 feet.

The way we went through was with Intrepid tied alongside Pura Vida and Pura Vida rafted to a tug. The tug eventually lashed alongside the wall of the canal and as the water rose the tug would pull their lines in keeping the themselves tight to the wall. After the water rose we untied from the tug. As the tug revved their huge engines, their prop wash spun us toward the wall and with some creative steering and a slight bump of the wall while still rafted up to Pura Vida we motored in to the next lock.

The next two lock passages went smoothly and when we were finally raised to the level of the lake we untied from Pura Vida and motored over to a mooring. We hooked up to the same mooring as Pura Vida and went over to their boat for dinner and a great evening. At about 2:00am everyone just kinda found a flat surface and crashed. I was up at 5:00am the next morning. I was woken up by the howler monkeys just in time to see the boat with the adviser coming out.

Well I've gotta run but I'll try to finish up with day two tomorrow.

Cheers,

Zac



















Link to Ventura County Star Article:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/may/19/thousand-oaks-teen-enters-final-leg-of-around/

14 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac-
Great shots from the point of view of Intrepid going thru the canal.
Thanks Jen! Much rest and good food to all!
Kodiak Mike

May 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM  
Anonymous Marie from WA St. said...

Very cool! Thanks Jen!!!

May 21, 2009 at 9:51 AM  
Anonymous Laura said...

Wow feels like im on Intrepid..great pictures Jen and thanks for taking time out for the post Zac!
Laura

May 21, 2009 at 10:01 AM  
Blogger Joy on Journey said...

Very cool! THANKS for the update. Links to the interviews when they turn up would be so cool.
When do you get to head out again?
Blessings on it! Prayers guide ya.
~ LA in MN

May 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM  
Anonymous Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher said...

Will be fun to read the rest of your description of the Panama Canal, since so many of us watched you live! Great pics, Jen - brings it that much more to life for us. Get some zzz's, Zac, before you get back out there and head home! Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher

May 21, 2009 at 11:35 AM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

Go Cap'n Zac! Pura Vida is indeed "pure life". I know it better translated to "The good Life" or "Life is Good". Fine name for a boat...

willy
milford, ohio

May 21, 2009 at 12:11 PM  
Blogger Mona said...

Just read the story in the Ventura County Star. What a great story and great shots Jen.
Can't wait for part 2 of the canal crossing.
Go Zac go!
Mona,
Tucson, AZ

May 21, 2009 at 12:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac-I have a question. I have been following your trip from the beginning, and trying to tell everyone I know about you and what you are doing. I am so impressed!

In going through the Panama Canal, I have seen other people on the boat with you. Is this something that has to happen? I know the point of your trip is to sail alone, so I was just curious.

I have enjoyed seeing your family on interviews and photos, as well, and look forward to whatever documentary things will be put together after your arrival home. God Bless You and stay strong during this last leg!!!

In Christ,
Frances

May 21, 2009 at 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Jen said...

must admit, that was all pretty exciting.... thanks to the people you did the youtube vids too....

Great great job Zac!!

Jen

May 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update....it was wonderful to kinda be there with you when all this was happening.
The guys operating the webcam at the Miraflores lock were stars and gave us the best view!
It was an amazing experience for us too!
Glad you had some friends to go through with...that was great.

UK friend

May 21, 2009 at 2:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ Jen....forgot to say....love the pictures and a big thank you.

UK friend

May 21, 2009 at 2:57 PM  
Blogger Anita said...

Hello!
Jen thanks for the photos. I always enjoy them!
Have a wonderful time in Panama, enjoy the sights; can't wait to read all about it!
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"

May 21, 2009 at 4:45 PM  
Blogger Croaker of FrogPond said...

So many times I've felt like I was aboard the Intrepid, but never like this! I may even be getting a sunburned nose. Thanks to Marianne's updates, Jen's photos, and the grand work of Canal personnel, and to the ultimate sailor, Captain Zachary, it's so real.

Won't be long now. Marianne, get the meatloaf and mac n cheese fired up!

How long is the projected time in Panama and what is the ETA for MDR, Ca?

Prayers protecting everyone!

The Croaker

May 21, 2009 at 11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So what did it cost to go through the canal? If you can break down the cost to all of us that want to do the same one day.

May 22, 2009 at 6:47 PM  

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