COUNTDOWN TO PANAMÁ CANAL

It is our final day of preparation before Hazel begins her long awaited transit through the Panama Canal. As you will see in the photos, we have welcomed a new crew member, Adriana Darula, Peter’s wife.

What a joy she has been aboard Hazel. Her fluent Spanish has already proven invaluable, and her connection to the Canal runs deep. Her uncle served as a Panama Canal pilot for 30 years. For vessels over 65 feet, the law requires captains to hand the helm over to a Panamanian pilot, so she grew up hearing stories from the very people who guide ships through this engineering marvel. Now she gets to experience it firsthand.

Before we cast off, we are squeezing in the last round of prep work and sharing a few good meals with new friends we have met along the way.

For my friends at Red Wing Shoe, you will appreciate this. Every reinforcement on our canvas dodger was done with Oro Legacy Leather. Yes, I keep a roll of it on Hazel, as any self respecting Red Wing retiree should. Our canvas maker took one look at it, declared it the finest leather he had ever worked with, and promptly bartered his labor for half the hide.

Once your transit time is assigned, you are responsible for having the proper lines and fenders on board. As you will see in the photos, Hazel is fully outfitted and ready.

Tuesday is the big day. We are excited, grateful, and ready for an unforgettable passage.