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
DB
May 18th, 2010
11:36 pm
@MJG, how sweet of your daughter to want to share such a landmark day with you!
@Tiger, I went to HS in Virginia, too — what part of Virginia?
RC
May 19th, 2010
1:10 am
Live in Gulf Shores / Orange Beach, on the Lagoon, a couple of minutes from the beach. Had thousands of folks down for the 1st Annual Hangout Music Fest. this past weekend. Spent most of the day today, on the beach just relaxing. No oil, no smell – most of it is many miles south and continuing to move that way. Book your trip conditional on your option of a last minute change of plans. There are MANY opportunities -being in Real Estate, I know – this too will pass.
shaggy
May 19th, 2010
6:47 am
Tiger:
I said that I have been climbing in The Tetons 5 times. I go back, because of a kind of magnetic attraction that place has for me. There, I meet many others that feel the same way, and some have been coming back 40 or 50 years. I have been in an around The Rockies MANY more times. Another place that attracts my soul is the area around Mt. Saint Helens. The contrast between the cataclysm of 30 years ago and the surrounding, spared areas, will demonstrate the awesome power of the earth, unleashed. If I could, I would be going to Iceland this year to see volcanism in action. Get close and yes, feel alive in the danger zone…I know calculated risk is not for everyone, but I just can’t resist, and the things you see…
I know full well that a mountain lion will stalk and kill anything it can take down if it is hungry enough. I have even done a little stalking myself, one lucky trip to the Arkansas River, south of Lead. We were prospecting the river on that trip and had jeep trailed pretty far backcountry to some abandonded mines. We saw the bighorn first, moving pretty quick above us. Then, my buddy caught sight of the cat, slinking over the ridge, not paying any attention to us, focused on the sheep. I don’t know the end of that story. They moved on away.
I do love your home state. Colorado is a great place. I could live there, and Boulder is one of the best kept secrets in America.
MJG: Sorry, I was a little ‘ornery with you yesterday. You write well, and I just got full of myself.
Also, I apologize to the beach people. I don’t get the allure of the characteristic beach vacation. However, one of my finest trips was spending 2 weeks on Cumberland Island in January. A truly magic place that must be spared of any further development, forever. THAT is what a beach is supposed to be. Miles of unspoiled view and the undisturbed solitude that you get, even when you are not there alone.
Have fun this summer, whatever your passion may be. Life is short.
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motherjanegoose
May 19th, 2010
9:46 am
@ shaggy…thanks. I just figured out why I am not into adventurous vacations, when you mentioned the danger zone. Being on the interstate ( 6 lanes on each side) , in Atlanta, many days each week….fills my danger zone quotient to the top! I do not need danger….I need to RELAX.
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Larry
May 19th, 2010
3:09 pm
I really think the worries about the oil affecting the beaches is overblown, but there are economical options for vacation on the Pacific. Mazatlan has great prices and beautiful beaches! :)