The Sea Hope, a grain-carrying vessel, moves through the Gatun locks with us. Canal management prefers ships to travel in one direction for one part of the day and then travel in the other direction for the other part of the day, but the Canal can handle two-way traffic.

Out in the distance you can see Gatun Lake.

Here we’re about to enter the last chamber in the Gatun locks before making our way into Gatun Lake. Notice the double set of gates. These provide insurance against having a ship ram into the gate for the next chamber.

Here’s a close-up of a two-ton mule. These mules eat diesel fuel when they get tired of keeping huge Panamax vessels in the exact center of the chambers. The concrete over which the mules trod is the same concrete that was poured when the Canal was built.

Beautiful landscapes flank the Gatun locks. The locks themselves look a little dreary, so it’s refreshing to see such vibrant landscapes on both sides—unless, of course, you’re the poor hombre who has to mow all that! Notice the incline the mules have to climb as they travel guide the ships through the locks.

Speaking of beautiful and landscapes, here’s my wife with a beautiful Panamanian landscape behind her. The little body of water you see in the background is the French attempt to build the Panama Canal.