Folks:
We are not trying to be heavy handed here, just giving those who are arriving soon a realistic perception of what to expect (managing expectations). To be honest, we are amazed at some of the posts here as it seems some people just don't understand the situation. "Access" or "walkovers" aren't the issues right now. The point is, once you get to the beach, what do you have?
I would suggest going back and looking at the photos posted here.
The beaches have been stripped of a deep layer of sand. They are down to the "hard-pack" and in may areas the underlying layer of peat (formed over hundreds and thousands of years with the literal ebb and flow of the sea) is exposed.
The pristine deep "sugar sand" that your kids are used to playing in is gone. There is no sand to replace it. As someone posted above, nature might accomplish this in 5-10 years - or more. The TDC beach replenishment funds took a hard hit with last year's storms. Basically, there is not enough sand or resources to replace the beach in the near future.
Most likely, it will require dredging. (Just WHERE did the sand go? The wave action and high tides ripped it loose and carried it back out to sea. It's out there, it will take heavy dredging machinery and lots of time to remove it from the ocean floor, sift it and return it to the beaches). Will that be done this season? Most likely not. This is the BEGINNING of the hurricane seasone. IF sand were replenished tomorrow, "Emily," or the next storm, could come along next week and take it out to sea too.
Our point is that many people posting here are concerned about beach access. Like it or not, the beaches have been ripped apart. In some areas, we saw raw sewage from ripped up and exposed septic tanks. In one cove near Grayton, we saw enough lumber piled up on the shore line to stock 20 Home Depots. We have grandkids. I wouldn't let my grand kids on the beach today. I probably wouldn't let them on the beach next week - or the week after. But that's just me.
The edges of the dunes, many resembling cliffs, are unstable and dangerous. They could come crashing down on people below at any time. There are houses that have been and will be condemed hanging over the edges of some of these mini-cliffs. Who is going to let their kid play below that?
Our point is that there are lots of things to do here besides going to the beach. Albeit, the beach has, is and always will be a part of the lifestyle and experience here.
People are working as hard as possible to get it as good as possible as quickly as possible. The labor pool has been depleted since last hurricane season. because of the massive amount of clean up and construction. There's a shortage of carpenters, tradesmen, and yes, "sand shovelers." Regardless of the manpower and resources, it will take a long time to return to "normal."
We do not work for the TDC but are involved in real estate development thoughout FL and the SE. We are native Floridians and have ridden many a storm out.
We understand the worry and conern about vacation plans. We have been on the phone for two days with the people who have rented our properties, working with them to insure that they have a good time, but honestly telling them that the beach is in pretty bad shape. To do otherwise does them a diservice.
Stephanie
WaterColor
