I just returned from a trip home to Pensacola, Florida for my high school class reunion.  I had planned to write a pithy post about how things had changed since the glory days of 1980.  However, my bad hair photos, ridiculous clothes and adolescent stories were eclipsed by the monumental change to Pensacola in the last 100 days since the Gulf Oil Disaster.  

Although the world’s whitest beaches look clear of oil, it broke my heart to see clean-up vehicles driving on our sugar white sand.  The traffic on the beach was the only hub of activity.  Typically the end of July marks huge crowds of visitors from around the South.  Not only are the beach visitors deterred by the oil in the water, but the economy of the region is devastated leaving potential tourists unable to travel.  It’s hard to imagine when this beautiful beach, fishing and tourist town will recover.

I readily admit that I am extremely fortunate to have grown up on the Florida Panhandle.  I have taken for granted the privilege of sitting on fine white sand and watching birds and fish enjoy the crystal clear, blue-green Gulf of Mexico.  Walking along the beach or swimming out searching for the perfect shell has always been the best way to spend an afternoon at home.  Fresh shrimp, grouper and oysters have always been local and available.  Not anymore.

Pensacola, Florida has had its share of natural disasters including seven major hurricane hits since my years at Woodham High School.  2004’s Hurricane Ivan devastated the area causing over six billion dollars of damage including destruction to over 37,000 homes.  My family, friends and neighbors in Pensacola are incredibly resilient.  I truly hope that the government and industry will step-up efforts to help the people of the Florida Panhandle recover from this manmade tragedy.

I look forward to seeing restored beauty and the financial recovery of the Florida Gulf Coast by the next 1980 Woodham High School class reunion!