Wednesday morning started with a bit of kayaking after breakfast. We paddled into one of the many small streams that join the main river channel. It was very peaceful and beautiful.
Kayakers Extraidonaire
After the kayak, I took a little dip in the river to cool off. The water was pretty salty—not as salty as the ocean perhaps, but enough to allow this sinker to float with ease. The water temperature was probably about 80 in the top foot or so and warmer underneath. There was no shock of coolness when I jumped in.
Before lunch we took a hike to Fort Lorenzo. It was about a mile mostly uphill on a hot, surprise, humid day. The fort is situated at the mouth of the Chagres river and has a view of the river and the ocean. The structure on the right looks like an ornate entrance. And perhaps it was, but its main function was as the command post for the battle generals There are multiple viewing holes in the building allowing the commanders to see the battle and remain protected.
I suppose you could caption this picture Beauty and the Beast.
Our ship from the fort looking up the river. It is a mile or two
to the dam from the mouth of the river.
After lunch we headed back to the Atlantic end of the canal and anchored waiting for a canal pilot to join us for the trip through the locks.