Leaving for Orange Beach Today

"The Alabama Department of Public Health has a swimming advisory in gulf waters off Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, and in bay waters immediately adjacent to Fort Morgan, in Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou or Old River. A swimming advisory means that individuals are discouraged from swimming in affected waters."

I've been here since sunday. The water is beautiful but it is closed to swimming. There are crews, boats, and boom everywhere bit i havent seen any oil. I havent gone to the beach much though since i couldnt get in the water. There is no smell in the air. The place is a ghost town. No lines anywhere amd no crowds at the pool. I have enjoyed the peace and quiet away from BR and the kids have enjoyed the pool.

I certainly hate it for the locals and the reason for the lack of crowds, but i have certainly enjoyed it. I have parked on the front row at our condo each time i park. We went to The Track yesterday to let kids ride go karts, etc and it was like we rented out the place. We walked up and just got on any rides we liked . We have beem to Lulu's twice amd Cobalt once and no lines for tables at either one. Same way at tje grocery store. It is eerily deserted down here. At 5 pm yesterday, i had to strain to count 10 people on the beach.

There appears to be lots of areas of oil that have appeared just off the beach in the last hour or so since i looked. There are boats scrambling everywhere. This is just west of the pass in front of the Phoenix 6.

I can see 42 various boats from my balcony amongst the booms. Up til now, there were 4 or 5.

My old lady is in Gulf Shores right now and although there are red flags up marking no swimming they haven't seen any oil. Did come across one tiny tar ball tho

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I can see 42 various boats from my balcony amongst the booms

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Flags just turned from red to yellow FYI