Dennis - damage reports & requests - merged to this thread

[Allirow]

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!

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[Rather B Paddlin]

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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[cdeloach]

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

 

[Jdarg]

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!

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[martin]

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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.