January 10, 2025 - Transiting the Panama Canal

Dear friends and family,

What an extraordinary day! Today, we made the full transit through the historic locks of the Panama Canal. The canal—linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—is one of the great achievements of the 20th century.

From Ferdinand de Lesseps’ initial attempts to the eventual triumph by the United States in 1914, the canal’s history is a testament to perseverance.

I reflected on my trip through the canal and visit to Panama in January 2023 when I explored our old family home nearby with my brother and sister. Today brought those memories flooding back, along with a renewed sense of wonder.

Panama City

As the ship passed through the locks, I couldn’t help but feel connected to the history and beauty of this place. When we were eating lunch we were coming through the middle lock, just inches to spare on either side as the water rose.

I didn’t get very good pictures of the three wonderful suspension bridges from the angle of my starboard side balcony. They are fairly recent. When we lived in Panama from 1953-1955, we drove across the tops of the canal gates. Imagine if footpaths across the Ballard Locks were wider and more substantial.

With love and a sense of wonder,

Chris