Panhandle of Florida

This is the view from our campsite in Navarre, Florida. The only thing that could make this better right now is 80 degrees (it has been freezing overnight with highs in the low 60's during the day). Although today is in the 70's with perfect blue sky.
Our pier (10 yards from the front door of Edna) is 150 feet long and brand new, as is the retaining wall out front. Most of the other piers within view, which is about 10, are all in various states of disrepair. While walking down the beach the other day I began to notice that homes were either brand new, or destroyed. Then I came across a tombstone dated 9/16/2004 with the name of Ivan on it, and it dawned on me that this was the area that Ivan made landfall 1 year prior to Katrina.

We traveled to an outer island (connected by bridge) and all of the homes are brand new, and for sale! All of them have been rebuilt.

This is a wonderful place to visit (after Hurricane season is over). Especially in the winter time when the grey, soggy, mossy, wet, overcast winter season in Seattle begins to grind on you. But, I would not want to live here, and would not want to own real estate here. I spoke with folks who have had 2 homes destroyed by hurricanes over the past decade. They now rent during the winter months only.

We are flying to Seattle on Thursday for the holidays.

Our best to all of you and your families.

Happy Holidays.

The Paton's