Oily Residue in Destin, Florida...

Last week, while in Destin, Florida with my family, I had the opportunity to enjoy the beach and a swim in the Gulf of Mexico...  except it was not too enjoyable.  After a swim through the SEA GRASS, of which there is an exceptionally large amount, I realized I had become covered in greasy, oily residue.  Ick!  Best guess?  Residual oil from the BP Deep Horizon platform/well oil spill.  Sea grass has also washed up on Pensacola Beach and is present up to several hundred meters from the beach.  Is the oil spill causing this sea grass to dislodge from the sea bed and wash up on our beaches?  It's slimy and green, and sticks to you when you go in the water, and it's not even the normal texture you'd expect from seasonal sea grass washing up on the beach.  It's more like a stringy green goo.  Wonder what the long-term effects of the BP oil spill will be on our beaches and marine life?  ME, TOO.

Tropical Storm 'BONNIE' effects minimal on oil spill...

As a resident of northwest Florida, and being near the beach, I can tell you first hand that Tropical Storm 'Bonnie' has had little effect on Florida and Alabama, and is not expected to push more oil / tar balls onto the beach.  In fact, the beaches have been particularly clean (cleaner than even during a normal summer season) thanks to an army of dedicated local workers, and EVERYTHING's OPEN down here.  As I write this post (sitting outside on my patio), only a stiff breeze breaks the silence of the night, and we have had no significant rainfall as a result of Bonnie.  It's warm (80 degrees Fahrenheit / 25C), balmy and beautiful as always, so if your travel plans include Gulf Coast Alabama or Florida, don't change your plans.  In fact, Florida is considering lifting the state gulf fishing ban next week pending federal approval, and the bays and inland waterways are still clean and open for fishing.  Even Miami only saw intermittent heavy rain, and all is back to normal now...no damage, no power outtages, no shelters needed.  Another beautiful day in paradise, so enjoy.