Vacation plans on hold while you follow the oil flow?
We had hoped to return to Orange Beach this summer after the kids had such a great time there last year. However, with all that oil seeping out into the Gulf of Mexico I had kind of decided we would just head to Hilton Head this year – a safer bet. Or so I thought.
But now with fears of oil reaching currents that would bring it around the Florida Keys and up the East coast all of our vacation plans are on hold.
I know vacation plans seem trite when we’ve got a whole ocean and all the little animals in it to be worried about, however I’m sure people are trying to figure out where it’s safe to book for the summer. (Pacific Ocean anyone?) No one wants to lose money they’ve put down on a condo or beach house, especially in this economy.
I did search the City of Orange Beach site and as of the date I was searching no oil had come ashore and they were handling this PR emergency very well. They are posting current photos of the beach and the ocean so people can see how it looks. They are also posting what appear to be almost daily briefings of the ocean’s conditions and what is currently happening on their shore. In one brief that I read, it said the forecast was clear at least for 72 hours. So I guess folks could plan a last-minute vacation and see how things shake out. (Probably less crowded and good rates.)
The AJC ran an earlier article with some tips for planning your vacation with so much uncertainty.
So what is your vacation strategy with this heartbreaking oil spill threatening the beautiful beaches near Georgia? Will you go ahead and book ahead or wait to see where exactly the oil goes and how the clean-up progresses? Are you afraid to book on Gulf coast or the East Coast? What about a trip to the Caribbean? How about heading further up the East coast to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina or Wilmington Beach in North Carolina? How will you determine your best bet for a beach vacation this summer? How long will you wait to book?
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158 comments Add your comment
LydiasDad
May 18th, 2010
10:21 am
Theresa, why would anyone reference the likes of the Huffington Post for credible info? Don’t do that to us.
I’m heading to Sandestin in 2 weeks. Everyone stay away so I can have the beach to myself.
Steve
May 18th, 2010
10:23 am
Have a week long hotel reservation at Fr. Walton for mid-June. Paid an extra $10 per night to have a rate that allows us to cancel up to 2 days prior to the stay. At this point it looks like the oil will not be a big impact, and a few tarballs is no worse then jellyfish, kelp or other “trash” in the water.
YUKI
May 18th, 2010
10:24 am
Heading to Rosemary Beach next month. Booked the condo about a week before the spill. Regardless of what is going on in the water at that time, still looking forward to the area, relaxation and just being away from the every day grind. If we can’t go in the beach, there are still the pools, bikeriding and just plain old relaxing. Nothing beats the gulf coast beaches and I would not cancel my vacation.
momagain
May 18th, 2010
10:29 am
We have been saving for years for another trip to PCB for the 4th of July week. Booked the condo two months ago. We will go anyway if for no other reason than to see friends, eat good food and have some family time in the car..out of town. We usually end up more at the pool anyway…one jellyfish episode ruined the ocean for us!
Beach Lover
May 18th, 2010
10:34 am
I was in PCB last weekend and it was beautiful. I will be going back the week of Memorial Day. I know about a beach webcam site that I check daily and the beach and water are both still gorgeous.
Yup, I said it: check out VRBO.com for condo listings and look at Gulf Resort Beach. Most listings are less than 2 miles from Pier Park. I have used this site a couple of times with great results.
downsouth
May 18th, 2010
10:36 am
@ Condo Owner – Well Said. Running a front page article like this does nothing but add to people’s fears about something that might not happen. good grief!!!!!!! yes, there’s a chance that something could happen, but then again, IT MIGHT NOT.
Theresa saying that even the Atlantic Beaches of FLA could have a problem is completely uncalled for. That’s merely speculation, and there’s no need to encompass all of FLA’s beaches that way. Please think before you meet your deadline by putting out this olislick of an “article” / blog / bs.
Thank you,
Emerald Coast Lover
Walter
May 18th, 2010
10:38 am
We will be going to St. Simons for the 4th of July and Callaway Gardens with the kids in late July. If you don’t want to go to the beach for fear of the oil spill then i recommend Callaway Gardens. My kid’s love the golf, tennis, fishing, swimming, etc. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Texas
May 18th, 2010
10:40 am
Cancelled a trip to Florida and going to Texas instead. We are flying into Houston and spending a couple days at the beach then driving to Dallas through San Antonio (apparently the Texas version of Orlando ) and Austin. We’ve never been before, so it should be a blast!
Marie
JJ
May 18th, 2010
10:41 am
@Yup. The Calypso Condos, right next to Pier Park.
We stay down on Thomas Drive at Moonspinner Condos. We have stayed there numerous times and the place is beautiful. I’ve also stayed at The Commodore, which is nice, but Moonspinner is much nicer!! They are right next door to each other.
Dar
May 18th, 2010
10:42 am
Amelia Island Plantation next weekend. I generally don’t go in the ocean anymore, but my son loves it and we are scheduled for horseback riding on the beach so I hope there are no issues. Heading up to the Falls and Toronto for a mid-summer trip so no risk there. I was planning a trip to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving and wonder if the oil will make it there and still be around in November.
JDCmom
May 18th, 2010
10:43 am
We were going to Destin next week but are now headed to Disney. At the time they weren’t making any progress in stopping the spill. I know there is a lot to do outside of the beach but for my 3 and 5 year old it’s all about the beach. That trip is usually an annual event for our family, but not this year ;-(.
Judy
May 18th, 2010
10:47 am
the beach trip for us this year won’t be Tampa/St. Pete… we’ll be heading to St. Augustine. Prefer the west coast, but this year, we’ll be doing the east coast.
Beach Lover
May 18th, 2010
10:48 am
Was in Cape San Blas this past weekend- the beaches are clean and as beautiful as ever! Don’t let the media hype scare you away!!!
Becky
May 18th, 2010
10:49 am
@Texas..Sounds like fun..I’ve never been to TX., but am planing a trip in the next couple of years..I have a niece that lives in Houston, one in San Antonio and a really good friend in Dallas..So hope you enjoy your vacation..
Redneck Riveria
May 18th, 2010
10:56 am
Just got back from Panama City Beach. It is still in good shape. Went to Shell Island on Pontoon boat didn’t see anything oil related. Got a chance to see the dolphins. Hopefully it won’t make it there.
Myrtle Beach
May 18th, 2010
10:57 am
Had a condo reserved in Miramar Beach for June. When I inquired about holding off 2 weeks on sending final payment to see if the leak could be contained and how well cleanup efforts were going, I was yelled at by the agent and threatened with a lawsuit. Oil or no oil, changed plans to go to Myrtle Beach instead. I’ll go to that area next year but will NEVER use that agent again.
MJ
May 18th, 2010
10:59 am
Going to our condo in Hilton Head next week.
Ghostrider
May 18th, 2010
11:02 am
Leave it to the Media to start yet another panic. Can’t they find something else to talk about.
Vick=Dog killing thug
May 18th, 2010
11:03 am
I own a houseboat on lake Lanier. It will be a stay-cation for me this year. Enjoy the boat and relax with friends. What’s not to like?
Tyler Pike
May 18th, 2010
11:05 am
Daddy and I are still planning on taking our annual Panama City Beach trip. We’re even planning on getting matching BBQ samwich tats on our lower backs too. Might be the best year yet.
Yup, I said it
May 18th, 2010
11:06 am
@ td, Beach Lover & JJ-thanks folks for the information :) – very much appreciated!
JB
May 18th, 2010
11:09 am
We’ve been going to Destin for like 20 yrs. Sadly, I just canceled our reservations, in SanDestin, and switched tem over to HH. Ours were for mid July and while I hope more than anything that the oil doesn’t hit down there, I couldn’t risk it.
Julia
May 18th, 2010
11:10 am
We are going to Orlando june 15. I have friends that live in Tampa… Wonders what its going to do in Tampa…. No we are not going to the Parks… We are going for the SBC….
Jake
May 18th, 2010
11:11 am
Between the government teachers reality check and the oil spill you would think the end of the world is coming. This is crazy!!! Why would this change your plans? If the only reason you go to the beach is to get in the ocean, you need to re-evaluate going to the beach, PERIOD. Come on people, the sky is not falling.
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
May 18th, 2010
11:12 am
Two words….lake tahoe.
JB
May 18th, 2010
11:13 am
No but my kids live in the water and I’d just as soon they not comeout with oil, all over them.
But hey, that’s just me.
Bob H
May 18th, 2010
11:13 am
We were planning to go to Destin, FL. but have not booked anything yet. We were thinking, like you, East Coast, Hilton Head or Kiawa Island, but now I’m just not sure, have to wait and see I guess. Going Mid-July. (Somewhere…lol)
Julia
May 18th, 2010
11:17 am
HI TIGER!!
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
May 18th, 2010
11:17 am
@Jake…..there’s another reason to go to the ocean…to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean. Six million gallons of oil being released in the vicinity I would think can pose a realistic threat to sitting on a deck and watching the waves from pristine water roll in. I’ve never been to the Gulf Coast, but I know that if the view of my usual haunts in Maui were replaced with that pretty rainbow technicolor that comes with oil sitting on top of the water, it would definitely ruin the experience, regardless of whether I enjoyed surfing in it or not.
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
May 18th, 2010
11:18 am
Hey there Julia…long time.
motherjanegoose
May 18th, 2010
11:18 am
Not sure if this will post as my others have vanished today…T…how long is your baby on the potty…LOL
@ Myrtle Beach…there is no excuse for rudeness but I am certain the agents are stressed as everyone is probably calling ( all day long and not to book but cancel)…maybe more after this blog.
@ Texas…the beaches near Houston are AWFUL ( to me) . We went to Galveston once and there were giant roaches running all over the sand. South Padre is beautiful, maybe that is where you are going? I was there right before the Hurricane, a few years ago.
PCB and Disney are not for me…too crowded and too much noise. I love a quiet beach and do not want to be wedged in so tight that I can see what brand of potato chips my neighbors are eating, including the calorie count…
We use vrbo and have had good luck. I just booked a house in Oregon, so we will see what the ocean looks like there. We have used them in Florida and Hawaii. We do not need much:
clean, quiet and preferably internet connection…not mandatory.
ShortBravesFan
May 18th, 2010
11:23 am
M I A! :)
TinyDancer
May 18th, 2010
11:24 am
Not telling which beach I go to. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and I don’t want to share ;)
motherjanegoose
May 18th, 2010
11:25 am
@ Tiger…let me clue you in…lots of folks in the metro Atlanta area have never been west of St. Louis. Some ( on the east coast) have told me that Michigan is WEST…I could not stop laughing.
Living here, we can typically drive to the beach in 5-8 hours. Lots of folks who go, know someone who has a house and/or a friend of a friend who does. We do not but we rent a fun little condo in St. Augustine…nothing fancy and as I said in my vanished post…we ARE going. We also like Marco Island FL (have gone for over 12 years) but that may not be on the radar this year as we have too many other things on the calendar.
If I wave at you ( Tiger) while I am in Montana next month…will you see me….HAHAHA!
Hi Julia…WHERE have you been?
Yesterday
May 18th, 2010
11:31 am
I was driving yesterday in god awful Gwinnett and saw two cars, one blue minivan and one black suv that still had “Drill here, Drill Now, Pay less” stickers on them. You would think that these folks would be embarassed.
I heard this morning the President is assigning a commission to look into the cause of this. The news reporter said the commission will try to determine if this could have been prevented. In all my days, that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard anyone say. Of course it could have been prevented. We didn’t have to have an oil well in the middle of the gulf, period.
I hope the beaches are fine for the people, but I hope the oceans are healthy for the animals more.
K. Barnes
May 18th, 2010
11:33 am
Panama City Beach and The Beaches of South Walton are CLEAN and amazing! The oil is NOT projected to hit this area. Currents and winds are keeping the oil far west of this part of the Gulf. Plan a trip to these beaches this summer. Most rental agencies and hotels are offering an Oil Spill Guarantee which refunds all fees if the area is affected, which is very unlikely. Panama City Beaches and South Walton Beaches have never looked better and are open for business! If anyone wants more info on vacation rentals in the PCB check out http://www.staybeachside.com or call 888-236-0750.
peachtype
May 18th, 2010
11:34 am
Going to Anna Maria Island this year. Never been there, but hear it is beautiful! I cannot wait to go in late June. I am not worried about the oil spill ruining my vacation. I hardly ever go into the ocean more than knee-high. Plenty of pools to swim in, shopping, just relaxing in a different atmosphere will be very relaxing. I am not SKEERED! I just want to get away, and since I have already paid for my room, I will enjoy it no matter what! Stop scaring people to death. We all need some R&R at times. Those who cannot afford to go on vacation, do something local as they say “stay-cation”. I have done that for years myself.
Julia
May 18th, 2010
11:34 am
(((MJG))) here and there.. :)… trying to get the boy out of school for they year :) how are you :)
Atlanta Guy
May 18th, 2010
11:36 am
Heading to Rosemary Beach this week. If people want to sit in Atlanta and worry about something that may not happen, go ahead. We’re not letting life pass us by.
Tiger Ochocinco Mellencamp
May 18th, 2010
11:41 am
@MJG….well I have to admit that I’m glad that is the prevailing thought! Growing up I lived on the east coast and the west coast and the southwest. I graduated high school in Virginia, got the freedom to go where I wanted and headed west three days later. If everyone on the east coast knew how great it was out here in Big Sky Country, we’d have a population problem!
motherjanegoose
May 18th, 2010
11:45 am
@ Julia…I am good. I had lunch with Kathy and Michelle last week and DB yesterday. Today, I am wrestling up clients….to pay for things…LOL.
Today, is my daughter’s last day of HS. She managed to be an honor graduate and exempted finals.
She gets herself up at 6:00 and drives to school. Neither of mine are breakfast eaters nor morning people, so I do not get up with them after they can drive to school. She is independent and already has the getting up on her own skill under her belt before college.
She tells me last night, “since you were there on my first day of school, you should be there on my last day…I want you to get up tomorrow and watch me go!’ I laughed and then got up with her to sing the last day of school song, I wrote and use with the kids. She rolled her eyes, gave me a hug and left. That is the last chapter of that book for me…kind of sad but wonderful too!
WP
May 18th, 2010
11:48 am
Going to reunion end of July in Destin. Will have a great time no matter what.
motherjanegoose
May 18th, 2010
11:57 am
@ Tiger….love Colorado and would move there in a minute but it is not on our radar.
I have not been to Tahoe. We had plans for our 25th anniversary but our dog got very sick and we had to stay home to put him down. Rest in peace Old Yellar…he was a 14 year old lab.
Yesterday
May 18th, 2010
12:02 pm
I spoke with a man casually about the oil spill. He said, “Its awful. I mean, all the oil wasted and here we are paying close to $3 a gallon for gas”
People are upset about their vacations. Others are upset about the fishing industry. Or the tourism industry. The economy.
But the biggest issue is none of these. Its what effect this will have on marine life. Not because you get to eat them either. This can damage the entire food chain.
Hey, as long as it doesn’t effect the price of gas or your beach plans, right?
Yesterday
May 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
http://www.amsa.gov.au/marine_environment_protection/educational_resources_and_information/teachers/the_effects_of_oil_on_wildlife.asp
Julia
May 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
MJG, that about made me cry….. Mine starts highschool next year…. ugh.. they grow up way too fast….. He is taller than I am now… I cant believe it
G.R.I.T.S.
May 18th, 2010
12:34 pm
im not going anywhere due to financial difficulties lol…but if i were i would still go..id say the gulf coast beaches wont be very crowded and you dont have to get in the ocean to enjoy the beach…
Teacher, Too
May 18th, 2010
12:43 pm
Going to West Palm Beach the beginning of June. Not the prettiest beaches in Florida, but at least my toes will find some sand (and my head might return to sanity for a few days anyway, after all this INSANITY with the schools).
In July, heading to St. Thomas for a week! Nothing but sand, sun, fun, and cold bevs.
Next year– I might not be able to afford a vacation, so I am going to enjoy the one I have planned for this summer.
FCM
May 18th, 2010
12:54 pm
My friend moved her honeymoon from FL to Atlantic City. The oil was one factor of why.
Photius–lots of times I agree with you. This time your comments are just off base. IF a person CAN afford a vacation then they should take one. IF a person CAN afford some spending they should do it. Until Consumers start, well CONSUMING (ie spending, vacations, etc) then we are stuck here. Yes, jobs & housing are a large part of it but unless consumers spend those won’t come back.
As for me I cannot recall the last time I had a vacation. Took time off work sure, but not a vacation. This year I used the vacation $$$ plus some to purchase a house. No regrets there. So right now I am trying to decide which above ground easy pool will meet our needs. Relaxing in my own backyard will be fine vacation.
LydiasDad
May 18th, 2010
1:06 pm
Yesterday, (to the tune of the Beatles’ Yesterday)
I don’t like the left wing things you say,
I’m sure the ocean will soon be okay,
So, don’t worry ’bout the fish and ray…
Why the oil leaked, I don’t know,
BP won’t say.
They did something wrong, but I long
for you to go away-ay.
Yesterday,
There is nothing more for you to say,
So, please let us focus on the bay,
so I can hit the beach someday.
That’s all that matters anyway…