Come Hell or Oily Water

No amount of oil was going to keep Zach from Florida this year. and honestly, with my love for Seaside, it was going to be difficult to convince me not to get on the plane. So off we went, with reports of an oil slick a few miles off shore, fully expecting to spend 7 days at the pool with the stench of oil filling the air. If you know me, you know I rarely misplace my kids...but seriously, they were so excited to go, that on the day we loaded up, and Reece went AWOL...look where we found him...and Zach was very vocal that he was NOT concerned about being unable to get in the ocean.

Obviously, in retrospect, I know we all agree it is phenomenal that the spill had a far less significant impact than touted. And really, how impacted were us in-landers anyway? I was equally curious, and humbled, witnessing the effort in person.

Shopkeepers and tourists alike were mumbling about how close the spill was and when it would wash ashore. Every morning, four wheeler mounted BP contractors had the beaches cleaned to pristine conditions. The Coast Guard did bi-hourly fly overs. The Health Department did hourly water quality tests. The dredging barges were visible on the horizon, and the tarball teams, spread a few hundred yards apart, walked two-by-two up and then back down the shore removing every questionable morsel that washed up through the day.

The oil was there. We just didn't see it. The water was 'safe'. We swam, we boarded, we built sand castles. Honestly, the algae was more a burden than the concern of oil. I mean, look at that GREEN water!



We waited and observed, cautiously anticipating any encounters with the tacky little balls. If you look closely at this zoomed in shot of the tide rolling back out, you will see a few tarballs floating and washing away


Three days in, Reece and I fell victim to our first and only encounter. Imagine a very hot, melted raisin smashed into the sand and then smeared on your flesh. I really wasnt certain it was the infamous balls in the beginning. Maybe a fruit-snack? A dog "present"? Prune Jelly? ....A little Dawn dish washing detergent and a few wet wipes later, all was well.

For the sake of all the communities along our Gulf, I hope the outcome of the disaster remains more positive than previously anticipated. Seaside, Florida is our happy place, a little gem, and I am so grateful I can come back again and again to watch my boys grow and enjoy the beauty and serenity of this quiet little beach town.