The coast really is clear

It's been beautiful along the beaches of South Walton all week. We're happy to report that we continue to be free of oil and tarballs. With the recent capping of the Deepwater Horizon oil well and the effects of heat and weathering, the crisis response folks tell us that, even out in the Gulf, surface oil is disappearing.

Unfortunately, this doesn't change things much for our neighbors far to the west in the bayous of Louisiana, but for us here on the Emerald Coast, it means hope for reviving our tourism and fishing trades.

If you're thinking of coming down but are hesitant about the possibility of oil on the beach or in the water, please come on down -- you won't see any oil on your flip flops here. And the many businesses that depend on vacationers like you could really use your patronage these days.