Leaving Fort Myers

 We are leaving Fort Myers, FL    May 6th

Land still barely in sight.

We are not entirely alone...

Not much wind on the Gulf; Michael takes a moment to relax.

 
Sunset on calm water     May 7th

 
The dolphins are saying "Hi."    May 8th

And they told two friends...

Today there is not much wind so we are using the main sail and the genaker (red and white). The genaker alone has almost 900 square feet.

Here's the lower half of the main and genaker.

 
The sun sets on May 10th...

 
...and rises on May 11th.

 
The wind is picking up.     May 13th

It's blowing 22.6 knots!

One of several large ships we encountered. The square shaped design maximizes the cargo they can carry through the Panama Canal.

 
Now we are in the harbor city of Colon, Panama at the Port Captain's office, Autoridad Maritima de Panama.           May 21st

Proof that Sharon was here....

...and Michael too!

View from the Port Captain's office, overlooking the entrance to the Panama Canal.

Another view of the Puerto de Colon.

Right behind the Port Captain's office is the Bus terminal.

After the Port Captain's office, we went to the shopping mall (this picture) including the supermercado where we bought fresh
groceries (not shown).

We relaxed with some ice cream outside the dollar store. Panama uses the U.S. dollar as the official currency unit.

 
Larabeck (second from left) and next-door neighbor Imajica (third from left, yellow sails)

Live Jazz at Shelter Bay

Another view of Shelter Bay Marina

Larabeck ready for transit (tires will serve as fenders)

Imajica in the out-haul slip

Sharon and the Imajica crew, Judy and Doug, at the Miraflores Locks Restaurant

Ready for take off

Larissa and Mike with a big ship behind them

One of the Gatun locks at twilight

Tourists on the catamaran Discovery come outside to see the lock in action

Moving water in a Gatun lock

Michael at dawn on the Gatun mooring site (literally on the mooring)

Sharon with a big ship behind in the lock

The advisor explains the plan to Mike, the captain of Walk On

Larissa and the Bridge of the Americas

Yours Truly and the Bridge of the Americas