Our Big Day!

Heading for the Inlet

We had worried, fretted, stewed and sweated the arrival of the time where we would do the 170 mile crossing in open water on the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the time we would be about 50 miles offshore, and the crossing would take about 10 hours. Jane was a wreck! Fortunately there appeared to be a really good weather window which started on Saturday, but would even improve more on Sunday. So Sunday was our day. We spent Saturday afternoon going over the boat, securing anything that would fly around in rough seas, and reassuring each other that we could do this.

Cruising on the Gulf of Mexico

Keeping Warm on the Cool Gulf

We didn't expect to make the crossing with the change to daylight savings time. So we lost an hour meaning we would arrive in Tarpon Springs later than we had originally anticipated. We set out at 0745, and headed for the inlet. The sunrise occurred on our way to the inlet. We had the boat on plane, the autopilot on, and headed out. Conditions could not have been better for the crossing- waves <1 foot, winds <5 knots, sunny skies, and fairly warm temperatures. In fact, things went so well that the trip turned out to be a little boring.

Dolphins Running with the Boat

Jane and R4- the End of the Crossing

We both read books, listened to music, and talked until we hit the R4 marker at Anclote Key and made our way into Tarpon Springs. We arrived at the marina to find it closed, but another looper was there to help us tie up. Exhausted, we showered, at a light supper, drank some rum, and went to bed.