Across the Bend!

We did it. Whew.
Yesterday at 3 we arrived at Steinhatchee, 88 miles (dock to dock) from Carrabelle, traveling with Tony and Joan on Destrier. This was the most 'open water' on which we have had (thus far) to travel, and the one we began with the most apprehension. We left at 7:05 am in faint daylight, and were escorted out the channel by a dolphin who kept surfacing and diving right in front of the boat. (wish we'd gotten a pict.) We hoped that was a good omen for the day.
We had following winds which gave us a little extra speed, but we also had greater swells and higher waves than anticipated, bringing some real excitement and pushing both us and the Eschaton to our limits... so we were thrilled to enter the calm of Steinhatchee! We are told that the axiom is that boats can (almost) always perform beyond their owners expectations. That was surely true yesterday. I'll add a some picts from the last few days.
Today we have rested, put a few things back on the shelves that got dislocated in the rough water, and generally re-grouped for tomo's travels. We will leave for Yankeetown in the morning, still seeking warmer temps, and headed for a more extended stay in the Ft Myers area. Reports say we will have calm seas, and, of course, we will be following the coast. I'll add a few picts from the last few days.
For you armchair cruisers to have a feel for what we experienced yesterday, stand with your feet about 18" apart and sway back and forth for 8 hours with your shoulders arched and tight, gripping a rail. Then close your eyes and imagine rolling seas around you. Use Dramamine and Aleve as necessary. See? What fun!
From the Gulf of Mexico,
nan and jack