Surviving Category Two Hurricane Sally

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 Coastline RV Resort.   Eastpoint, FL         Sept. 13-16. 2020

Mom and dad have said how lucky we have been that we only had one day spoiled by weather. Evidently, our luck is about to change with Hurricane Sally. From the predictions so far, it will be a tropical depression over Topsail when we arrive.  That’s bad enough, but it looks like it’s going to stay most of the week. 


They said they will reassess later, but it could totally ruin our Florida Nature Coast visit: ..."The name "Nature Coast" was devised in 1991 as part of a marketing campaign to attract vacationers to the eight county area. The name eventually began to be used locally, and describes the area informally known as the "Big Bend" or the "Forgotten Coast" of Florida.


The day started out beautiful, but the constant emergency hurricane warnings on M & D’s phones kept waking me up. UGH!  We have been traveling on the Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway, I-10 and just passed the NASA, John C Stennis Infinity Space Museum. Sadly, they won’t let me in...Boo! 


This roads passes through some really pretty country and cities...Biloxi, Pascoughle, Mobile (bypassing New Orleans) and over a number of bodies of water, Mobile Bay, the Biloxi River before going by the USS Battleship Memorial Park and Spanish Fort outside Mobile.



The whole area around Mobile Bay and across to Apalachicola, FL was part of our trawler Moondance’s AGLCA Route back in 2017. Lynne and Phil on Fins and M & D rented a car from Fairhope, AL where they were docked to explore Mobile. They had a great time exploring that day. Mom said they all even liked going on the "Big A" Battleship and riding the Mobile Trolley Tour. 


After we crossed Mobile Bay, the weather alternated from sunny to overcast and in the 90’s. The winds were really picking up making dad's driving much more challenging. As we were driving through Alabama, we got a message from Topsail Hill Preserve on Santa Rosa Beach,FL that they were evacuating camping because of Sally.


Mom and dad discussed what they knew of the weather predictions before calling ahead to our next stop further down the coast at Eastpoint below Apalachicola. After talking to Patti from Cincinnati, we drove another 100+ miles south on Route 98. It was a good thing we had started a bit earlier that day, as it was; it was after 6 PM with the wind picking up when we were hooking up.


Going by St Joe's Beach the weather really started deteriorating...

Needless to say, M & D were checking the weather reports often, but with the winds picking up and the rain starting, they discussed it and felt safer staying than driving under those conditions.

On the news we had already seen a semi trailer flipped on one bridge down here. Originally, it was suppose to go more towards Mobile and then did a slow turn and hit Pensacola and Orange Beach. Both beautiful areas that M & D had stayed with Moondance and other looper friends. 


Just one of our views outside our one sliders windows during this hurricane...

When we had to change our plans we had to cancel our dinner plans with Molly, Andy, Abby and Emmy which made us very sad. That sadness changed to worry when we knew their homes were in the direct path of Sally. Fortunately, they are all fine, but they have no electricity and it maybe days before they get it back... How Awful! Just grateful that they are all well!


When Sally's outer bands weakened for a bit, mom, dad drove out to look around Apalachicola. It wasn't a pretty day for a drive but it gave M & D a chance to see the changes to this cute little town.

Our view from the bridge M & D crossed under with Moondance

Looking down one of the downtown streets that isn't underwater...

The downtown residential area that M & D didn't get to see before...loved the old oak stretching across the entire street

One of the many waterfront restaurants which we couldn't decide if they were still open??? So many had been destroyed with the different hurricanes that have come through here...heartbreaking...

This downtown area was M & D's stomping grounds before...

M & D had no idea that there were so many historical museums and buildings here

More of the areas that mom and dad knew from visiting before

We love these darling old Florida towns...

M & D always thought this courthouse looked like an old picture postcard

It's been a bit scary, but surprisingly relaxing few days; as we hunkered down in Sleeping Around. Reading, writing and watching Indiana Jones' videos, HGTV, the weather channel and of course, the West Wing series. We are very grateful to have made it through this experience without any major issues; not all have been so fortunate...


Last night we saw the sun for the first time since we arrived...This morning we awoke to a gorgeous sunrise!!! If I know them, we will be off soon to explore...


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