10/25/15 - On 10/13 we started to get ready to go thru the Panama Canal.  The day before Aunt Esther and I checked many different areas to see where we wanted to spend out day.  I learned that the front of the ship which was opened for the day would not work for me.  It was recommended that I set up shop at the Spinnaker Lounge which was on the very top and front of the ship.  We were scheduled to sit at the beginning of the channel waiting for our turn at around 6:00am.  I got up a little after 5:00am and Aunt Esther had ordered some coffee to be delivered at 6:30am so I headed up to the lounge at around 5:40am to learn that all of the very front was already taken and that some passengers had been there since 4:00am!!  I was a little disappointed but we did get a good table and chairs on the side up front.  The complete process took 14 hours since we had some delays but it is a long process to complete the over 50 mile trek across the canal. It was extremely interesting and I have attached a few pictures:

                                         All of us waiting for our turn to start thru the canal

                                          The locomotives waiting to tie up with us.  They
                                           will guide us thru the locks ahead

                                           Finally the gates are opening up!