Dennis - damage reports & requests - merged to this thread

Kurt,
So you owe us(the family) some cool pictures then right??

I would say you have paid us all back with this wonderful site. Let us know when you want to stay again.

It is a cool house and a true reflection of the history of the area. You stayed when there was no A/C at all in the house, really like history.

LM

Let me assure you that the house was in much better shape when I left, after a few days of laying in the hammock I started fixing things.

No Ac was needed in early May. :clap_1:

Let me assure you that the house was in much better shape when I left, after a few days of laying in the hammock I started fixing things.

No Ac was needed in early May. :clap_1:

That is half the fun of staying there.
But darn, I was hoping you give us a cool picture.
I know that some of your work would really make the place better!!!!!

Hi Kurt and thanks for all you do!!! We are homeowners in Seagrove, on the gulf and were sick to see that we lost 5 plus feet off the back yard. Granted we are/were 30 feet from the dune and my heart goes out to our neighbors. Still we have to consider that another storm could put us in the same situation. I am just curious, could you be a bit more specific about your response Sailin". We value your opinion and you were a bit vague. Thanks!!!!

That is half the fun of staying there.
But darn, I was hoping you give us a cool picture.
I know that some of your work would really make the place better!!!!!

My name is not Kurt, but you can have this one to watch over your house.

Thanks for all the info and honest assessment. This website has been extremely helpful! Thanks! I really feel for the people who live and own there.

We are due there 8/6-13 and do not wish to come now. Do you have any idea if owners and/or BRoSW are allowing cancellations and deposit refunds since it's really not what was reserved originally? I understand that there are other things to do there besides play on the beach, but the beach is virtually GONE and that's the reason we were going to drive 12 hours to get there. If we wanted a condo/hotel with a pool, area concerts and movies etc, we could stay home.

Any advice for a renter ?

My name is not Kurt, but you can have this one to watch over your house.

SJ
That is just so kind of.
I will save this file and make it bigger and print it on my Lambda printer and hang it in the house.
:clap_1:

SJ
That is just so kind of.
I will save this file and make it bigger and print it on my Lambda printer and hang it in the house.
:clap_1:

Go to my photo album and pull it up, maybe about 3 pages back. You can double click it to enlarge. It will get fuzzy as poster size, but will probably work well as a 8"x10."

The Red Fish Blue Mountain

Anyone have any information on the Rental House "The Red Fish"
Blue Mountain road...Photo's?
Comming Down Aug 27...............Any Local news on Brooks Bridge Marina at Ft Walton?
Thx
Carpe Diem

My husband and I have been coming to this area for many years now. We have been there before and after storm damage. We have seen the beaches in all their glory and when they were not. However, even when we wished the area looked like previous times, we always still had fun. The people were great, and we always had a great time. Sure, we had to be careful when walking the beaches when the sand wasn't the same as the trip before, but the water was beautiful. Our walks were still peaceful.

If we couldn't be on the beach as much, there is always so much to do. Yes, a lot of things will take time to repair, etc., but the locals and owners, (some renters) take great pride in this area and will work extremely hard to get things looking good again. We have never been disappointed by lack of site seeing, and fun activites to do. Whether it was great beaches, poor beaches, rain or shine, there is such an experience to be had in this wonderful area! We drive over 18 hours to get there, and are thrilled to go down any chance we get, even after such a storm!

Our prayers are with all at this time, and we wish we could get down there to assist in the clean-up, but we can not get away from work at this time. We will be down as soon as we can. Hang in there all!

Thanks for all the info and honest assessment. This website has been extremely helpful! Thanks! I really feel for the people who live and own there.

We are due there 8/6-13 and do not wish to come now. Do you have any idea if owners and/or BRoSW are allowing cancellations and deposit refunds since it's really not what was reserved originally? I understand that there are other things to do there besides play on the beach, but the beach is virtually GONE and that's the reason we were going to drive 12 hours to get there. If we wanted a condo/hotel with a pool, area concerts and movies etc, we could stay home.

Any advice for a renter ?

You could reschedule instead to Beauty, Kentucky (look it up on the map).

In all seriousness, sorry Mother Nature "ruined" your vacation plans. We didn't want it either... Most rental agencies will be understanding to your decision. How about you agree to a full refund, applicable to the same accomodations next year? Give us a chance to get some walkovers built, the beach cleaned up, and hopefully with Mother
Nature's cooperation, some sand replacement.

Thanks for all the info and honest assessment. This website has been extremely helpful! Thanks! I really feel for the people who live and own there.

We are due there 8/6-13 and do not wish to come now. Do you have any idea if owners and/or BRoSW are allowing cancellations and deposit refunds since it's really not what was reserved originally? I understand that there are other things to do there besides play on the beach, but the beach is virtually GONE and that's the reason we were going to drive 12 hours to get there. If we wanted a condo/hotel with a pool, area concerts and movies etc, we could stay home.

Any advice for a renter ?

It is a shame you feel that way. The area and its people have so much to offer other than the beach. This is why I value my returning renters so much. I had my renter enter my house yesterday. It was not cleaned, it was still boarded it up, the pool had turned green; guess what no complaints. They were happy to be there and made the best of it. They know life is not perfect. It is probably best that you stay home. I am sure if you complain enough you could get your money back. There are renters from the Destin area searching for replacement rentals.

Thanks for all the info and honest assessment. This website has been extremely helpful! Thanks! I really feel for the people who live and own there.

We are due there 8/6-13 and do not wish to come now. Do you have any idea if owners and/or BRoSW are allowing cancellations and deposit refunds since it's really not what was reserved originally? I understand that there are other things to do there besides play on the beach, but the beach is virtually GONE and that's the reason we were going to drive 12 hours to get there. If we wanted a condo/hotel with a pool, area concerts and movies etc, we could stay home.

Any advice for a renter ?

Which house are you staying in? If it was beachfront, you may have your cancellation taken care of for you. If not, depending on the area, maybe there will be beaches open by the time of your vacation. Not every area of 30-A has cliffs requiring beach walkovers...Grayton and part of Dune Allen have flat access points. BRoSW told us today that they are intending to rent all rentable houses as of this weekend.

My husband and I have been coming to this area for many years now. We have been there before and after storm damage. We have seen the beaches in all their glory and when they were not. However, even when we wished the area looked like previous times, we always still had fun. The people were great, and we always had a great time. Sure, we had to be careful when walking the beaches when the sand wasn't the same as the trip before, but the water was beautiful. Our walks were still peaceful.

If we couldn't be on the beach as much, there is always so much to do. Yes, a lot of things will take time to repair, etc., but the locals and owners, (some renters) take great pride in this area and will work extremely hard to get things looking good again. We have never been disappointed by lack of site seeing, and fun activites to do. Whether it was great beaches, poor beaches, rain or shine, there is such an experience to be had in this wonderful area! We drive over 18 hours to get there, and are thrilled to go down any chance we get, even after such a storm!

Our prayers are with all at this time, and we wish we could get down there to assist in the clean-up, but we can not get away from work at this time. We will be down as soon as we can. Hang in there all!

I feel blessed that there are people like you who love the area and its people as much as we do.

I'm with Seashell. We are driving 12 hours (from KY) on 7/23- and we wouldn't miss our 10th year in Grayton for anything. Other trips throughout the year are optional, but Grayton is MANDATORY. So everyone look for the goofy happy family of 4 paddling around the lake, picking up debris (and maybe finding treasure?), taking nice evening walks, grilling yummy seafood, and in general, being glad that Grayton is still there, in whatever condition, and thankful the residents and property owners are so wonderful.

Pool still looks great!


Oyster Lake

These photos are from Dune Allen on Oyster Lake.

Can't believe that pool either! SJ, thanks so much for taking this much time to report to strangers. You've been our eyes and ears over the past days reporting on the place so near and dear to our hearts. You've got some serious good karma coming your way! I think Emily will steer clear just because of all the good vibes you've been sending out the past few days!

I'm so saddened to see the devastating photos of the area. My heart goes out to all the homeowners who've lost so much here.

Personally, I can't wait to come back down to support the area...great food, beautiful water, sunshine, fishing, sailing, golf, more great food (can ya tell I like seafood?!?)...what more could you want!

Have a great trip SJ, you deserve some R-n-R!

Best wishes to all!

My husband and I have been coming to this area for many years now. We have been there before and after storm damage. We have seen the beaches in all their glory and when they were not. However, even when we wished the area looked like previous times, we always still had fun. The people were great, and we always had a great time. Sure, we had to be careful when walking the beaches when the sand wasn't the same as the trip before, but the water was beautiful. Our walks were still peaceful.

If we couldn't be on the beach as much, there is always so much to do. Yes, a lot of things will take time to repair, etc., but the locals and owners, (some renters) take great pride in this area and will work extremely hard to get things looking good again. We have never been disappointed by lack of site seeing, and fun activites to do. Whether it was great beaches, poor beaches, rain or shine, there is such an experience to be had in this wonderful area! We drive over 18 hours to get there, and are thrilled to go down any chance we get, even after such a storm!

The above photos were taken on July 11, 2005 at Grayton Beach. We are open for fun and relaxation.

What a great post Seashell! My thoughts exactly, except mine is from a local's perspective. Unfortunately, I have been so extremely busy the last three days helping people assess damage to their homes, that I have not painted a fair view of the beauty that abounds here. Believe me when I say that I would much rather be taking photos of fun stuff, and I know where there is plenty of fun around here, look no further than the beach. I feel that it is more important to be the eyes and ears for owners and guests at this time, rather than capturing the beauty. I have not even taken much of a moment for myself, well maybe only for a minute as you will see above.

Seriously, have we forgotten how to have fun? Does everything have to be to perfection like the airbrushed models on magazine covers. Give me some real people, please, like those who own here or come to our beaches. You certainly don't need white and fluffy sand to have fun. The Beach vacation is about relaxing. How can you not do that here? I understand the inconveniences some of you may have driving to another place in order to get to the beach, instead of walking out into your own back yard at the condo/house, even more so, I understand the inconvenience of not knowing if you will have a room when you arrive. Local operations will be back up shortly and the beach sand will come back soon enough, the dunes are another story. Many people have suffered major losses, both owners as well as once-a-year vacationers, but the beach is still here for anyone who knows how to relax and have a good time. Please stay away from our beaches if you are going to pout and put on a frown about loosing the white fluffy stuff. I enjoy seeing people having a good time and you will just get in the way.

Jdarg,

Thank you to you and your family for sticking by our side during a tough time. I have been told to pay ahead instead of always paying back. Your family deserves the best vacation ever. Who knows what hidden treasure you will find on this trip. Maybe it is a smile or just a thank you or just a feeling that you are helping so many people by just coming down.


Thank you again. Have a great trip.

I'm with Seashell. We are driving 12 hours (from KY) on 7/23- and we wouldn't miss our 10th year in Grayton for anything. Other trips throughout the year are optional, but Grayton is MANDATORY. So everyone look for the goofy happy family of 4 paddling around the lake, picking up debris (and maybe finding treasure?), taking nice evening walks, grilling yummy seafood, and in general, being glad that Grayton is still there, in whatever condition, and thankful the residents and property owners are so wonderful.

If anyone digs up my buried treasure please return it to me ASAP.

You Go Smiling Joe!!! You always lift me up!!!!! Thanks.

WOW- just keep psyching me up with those picutres Smilin' Joe! I am picturing you at your computer typing away with an ear to ear grin all the time -thanks to your name!

And RPB- I may be a whiner at home (I'm the mom and I earn the right), but there is no reason to can whine at the beach. And if Rivard calls and tells me we have no house, guess we will camp on the street. Or on their office porch!

I think Emily will steer clear just because of all the good vibes you've been sending out the past few days!

Funny thing, I met a cool girl (just friend) 2 weeks ago at Bud and Alley's. She is from the area north of the Sweet Tea line. Anyone want to guess her name? I told her not to come back to town. She the person can, but I don't want her name sake or my brother's namesake to rear their heads.

I wonder what I should read into this sign.

We can handle the debris and the lack of sand BUT Raw Sewage, we're not sure we are ready to deal with that. Can anyone please advise as to the status of that.

WOW- just keep psyching me up with those picutres Smilin' Joe! I am picturing you at your computer typing away with an ear to ear grin all the time -thanks to your name!

And RPB- I may be a whiner at home (I'm the mom and I earn the right), but there is no reason to can whine at the beach. And if Rivard calls and tells me we have no house, guess we will camp on the street. Or on their office porch!

I would let you have my house while I am gone, but I already have my replacements (other friends) on the way. I always tell my friends that they have to book my house really early on the occasions when I leave town. I always seem to have someone in my house. Go figure. It must be the beach.

We can handle the debris and the lack of sand BUT Raw Sewage, we're not sure we are ready to deal with that. Can anyone please advise as to the status of that.

They should be testing soon for all bacteria. Look for weekly reports in the Walton Sun. We are usually good to go.

Why thank you for the offer - real Southern hospitality still exists!

Emily who?????