We Made it!

As mentioned yesterday, we began our "Crossing". Having left Carrabelle at 2:00 in the afternoon with the anticipation of 2-3' waves and some wind, we were excited to get started on this part of the journey. Glen and I had experienced a 15 hour diagonal cut across and down Lake Michigan with some high seas and storm chasing. How's a well thought out and weather calculated 18 hour cut across the Gulf of Mexico gat about 3:00oing to be any worse. We were across the Bay and into the Gulf about 3:00. As predicted, 1-2' foot waves at 4 second intervals. At this point we all made a unanimous decision to continue. Bad weather was predicted for the remainder of the week and this was our window. Here we go.

Seas begin the build over the next couple of hours and we find ourselves in 4-5' waves in no time. Our direction of travel was Southeast. Winds and waves were South by Southwest, making for a rather uncomfortable ride as they hit us on our Starboard beam and rolled us to and fro. I felt like I was on a toy boat being tossed about in a child's playful bath. Several

While Glen was at the helm for that first hour of the turbulence Ant and I were up and down securing provisions, furniture and anything that wasn't tied down. This was a big lesson on battening down the hatches. The dogs were handling things in their own ways. Lainie was creating her own pool of nervous drool at dad's feet and Shelby was vomiting at mine. These are all things memories are made of (so I'm told).

Oh, one bit of comfort was we did end up traveling with another boat throughout the night. Satisfaction was also crossing but on a slightly altered path to the south. But it kept us with in sight and radio contact of one another throughout the entire night. Safe travels Satisfaction".

As predicted, seas began to calm and we watched a beautiful sunset before Glen handed over the helm to Ant at 7:00 p.m. and went down with Lainie to get some sleep before his next shift. Ant and I sat up and talked and had random conversations like "do dolphins sleep?". Look it up. The answer is actually quite fascinating. Between 9 and 11 we were crossing paths with several boats that were making the journey in the opposite direction to Carrabelle. Greeting and small talk were shared across the radios as we literally passed as ships in the night. By midnight it had quieted even more and it was my turn at the helm. It was quiet enough that we engaged the autopilot and I could sit back, keep and eye on instrumentations and a watch for vessels or objects that might be in our path. Glen got up about 2 and Ant went to bed. I continued to man the helm with Glen available for support. We watched an early morning moon rise over Clearwater and later the sunrise.

Finally! We arrived about 9:00 and fortunately our slip was available already. Another slip right on a channel. Glen's getting lots of practice backing our stern into a slip with strong currents. We got tied up and other Loopers were coming from all directions to meet and greet us. I really just wanted to give the dogs a much needed walk (the poor things wouldn't use the area we provided for them and held it for 19 hours), get all the salt rinsed off of Saunter, have lunch and finally get some sleep. And that's exactly what I did. In that order.

After a two hour nap, here I am, sharing our "Crossing" adventures with you.

Yesterday's last thoughts and photos didn't download. Here's another attempt. I apologize if they are duplicated.