Whale watchers trying to help a mother humpback and her calf that strayed into a California river report the pair has finally headed back in the direction of the Pacific Ocean.

That’s exactly what marine biologists and wildlife officials have been trying to get them to do for more than a week after they were first spotted in the Sacramento River.

The whales, nicknamed Delta and Dawn, still have more miles to go before reaching salt water again, but after passing the Rio Vista bridge Sunday afternoon, whale watchers are hopeful they will make it back out to sea.

The humpbacks have been treated with antibiotics to help them heal from apparent propeller injuries suffered during their ordeal. The whales long exposure to freshwater has hampered their ability to heal those injuries.