I grew up with the Gulf of Mexico as my backyard (down the road, over the inter-coastal, and across the bridge), so the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and subsequent continuous oil spillage into my pristine waters is more than unnerving to me. The Gulf Coast of Florida is known for its sugary-white sand beaches and emerald-green, crystal clear waters.

Yes, it IS THIS beautiful:

Gulf of Mexico, Destin, Florida

I am scared for my beaches. I am upset with what is already happening to the marshes in Louisiana. I am saddened at the news reports already showing the animals suffering and parked shrimp boats and lost wages and sludge floating in the water.

Sending donations to help the cleanup is extremely important, but so is continuing to visit the locations near the spill that are unaffected.

The Florida panhandle area of Destin, Ft Walton Beach, and South Walton County are welcoming visitors with WIDE open arms to their unaffected beaches all through the summer. Vacation rental agencies are guaranteeing their guests’ reservations with a money-back cancellation policy. Websites are being established to keep visitors updated. Convention & visitors bureaus are assuring tourists of clean-water beaches.

Hotels are open and taking reservations along the Florida panhandle Gulf coast. It is safe to book your hotel room for a vacation in Destin, Ft Walton Beach or along the Beaches of South Walton as well as many other locations along the Gulf.

The sand is so clean, in fact, that you can let your kids make sand angels on the beach.

Making beach sand angels on the beach in Destin, Florida

Please visit some Florida bloggers’ posts (click on banner below) as they share their love for the Gulf of Mexico.

Photos courtesy: Angie Lynch