Our little “slice of heaven” maybe, lost forever!

Over the years many families, friends and travelers have been making their faithful weekend trip, vacation or winter escape down here to the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.  For eons they have gotten excited while packing up and setting out across well travelled routes from near and far towns with locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and other location in the US and around the World.   Some travelled by car, truck, RV, motorcycle, bus, yacht, bicycle, boat, airplane and even on foot.                

 Having listened to the many stories told of who, why and when it was that they were first introduced to the beautiful “sugar white sands” found only from Ft. Morgan, AL east across the Florida panhandle to Port St Joe, FL.   You see the smiles spread across their faces and hear their laughter as they recollect back with joy to when their “grandfather, grandmother, mom, dad, uncle, aunt, cousin, neighbor , travel guide, recruiter, coworker, friend, acquaintance, banker, preacher, insurance agent, teacher or grocer” told them about or brought them down for their first visit to the beaches.   They smile as they talk about that first walk onto the sand and laugh when they mention how it “squeaks” each step you take!   Often mentioning, just how extraordinarily beautiful, clear and warm the Gulf waters are here and how they love to walk along the surf searching sand dollars and shells.   Then they tell they love the feel of the sea breeze blowing in while relaxing watching the children   screaming and laughing as the run through the sand, splashing in the water, swimming and building sand castles.   They get excited talking about what they did on this trip or their last trip or what they wish to do on their next trip down. 

Just like them, I too, have a story to tell.

Neither the wife nor I grew up anywhere near the Gulf Coast or any Coast.   We moved to the Gulf coast from Oklahoma, by way of Arkansas, nearly 16 years ago.   Moving to the Gulf coast was similar, I suppose, too moving to a foreign country except the peoples here spoke English (somewhat), served sweet tea and cheese grits.   We were impressed during our very  first visit to the Gulf of Mexico and  all  the coast  had to offer us,  you see, the closest thing we had to a beach in Oklahoma was coarse yellow sand spread out across a mud bank and into the water 6ft or so and not all our lakes had a artificial beach at all.   None of our lake or river water was what you would call clear like the Gulf waters either, fact is, you were very lucky if you were able see your hand just under the water surface due to the heavy concentration of mud, clay and sandstone rock found in and around our area.  One thing for sure though, we didn’t have to worry about sharks, stingrays, jellyfish or alligators!   It was my quest for new job opportunities and a better life that gave us the reason, means and ability to move away from our hometown, family members and friends.

 We knew we had found a “little slice of Heaven” when we first visited the Gulf Coast during a job interview in Foley, AL.  Soon after I was hired we moved down to Gulf Shores, AL and then later on to St Joe Beach located just outside of Port St Joe, FL.   After living 15 years of our life’s on Gulf Coast  we consider this “Our home” we return to Oklahoma every now  and again to visit family and/or friends always rubbing it in on what they are missing along the coast.  

 What really is a “terrible shame” is when you think of all the women, men, children living now and children yet to be born who might never get to experience the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and the abundance of its sea life.   Never being able witness the magical experience of a dolphin breaching the water during the sunset or sunrise. Seeing wave after wave of stingrays swimming past or experiencing the feel of live starfish curl around your hand.   Experience deep sea fishing at its very best by getting a Shark, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Tuna, Cobia or Grouper  hooked up and pulling so hard that they think it might pull you overboard. 

I can’t think of the people whom might not get too experience the fantastic  taste of freshly caught and prepared seafood such as White, Brown, Pink, Rock and Royal Red Shrimp, Apalachicola Oysters, St Joseph Bay Scallops, Grouper, Snapper, Red Fish, Cobia, Triple tail, Tuna, Amberjack,  Spiny Lobster and Blue Crabs.

We hope all locals and visitors can take a few minutes out of their busy schedules and make a trip out to enjoy what may their “last chance” to experience the white sandy beaches and Gulf of Mexico.    Remember, it will never be the same again after the oil arrives.    I beg you, please don’t let your chance slip away!    

“6 Billion years to create and less than 150 years of greed to destroy”

Loyd Chesser lives in St. Joe Beach