October 5, 2017, we pulled out of our home in St. Joe Beach for the last time. I cried big baby tears as we drove down Highway 98 through Mexico Beach, a place we had called home for the past 16 months.
As we passed the beach lined with palm trees and through the town, I tried my hardest to take it all in, to make a memory. In my heart, I knew we would return to visit one day, but little did I know that I would never see Mexico Beach the same way again.
Ever.
Moving to Paradise
A few years back Brad and I formulated a plan after visiting my cousin in the hospital. Her husband is from Fort Walton Beach, FL and they were going to move there soon. They told us about the Florida panhandle and how amazing it was. Immediately (like in the car on our phones) we started searching the internet for more information.
We found images of powder white beaches and clear emerald green waters. What?? There are places like that in the US?
We must see this fantastic Florida panhandle!
One visit to Destin and we were hooked!! So, we decided when Ben, our youngest, graduated high school; we were moving to Florida!!
After a ton research, we zeroed in on the Mexico Beach area and planned an investigatory visit. We were in love the second we entered the city limits! It was like stepping back in time, to the charm of Old Florida.
Mexico Beach is a quaint little beach town with only a few condo buildings, maybe one chain store, and no big chain restaurants. Not one traffic light. Only two gas stations. Lots of locally owned beach stores and places to eat.
Beautiful sand, clear water, no crowds. Yep, this was our kind of place!
In the summer of 2016, our dreams came true. With the moving truck loaded we were on our way to live in paradise! We had found the perfect house one block off the beach and next door to a swimming pool! Life was gonna be good.
And it was! Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe quickly became home as we met the locals and made some lifelong friends. Brad worked from home, and I started bartending at Tyndall Air Force Base.
On the weekends we would pack up our beach gear and head down to wide beaches at Sunset Park by the El Govenor Hotel or hang out at the Mexico Beach Pier.
We enjoyed hosting out of town guests and showing off our cute little town. We would take them to Toucans for dinner and drinks on the beach. Or maybe a walk out on the pier to catch a glimpse of our wildlife.
Strolling through town, visiting the shops, and getting ice cream were the favorite evening activities. MB Sweets and Treats had a coconut almond flavor that was to die for!! Everyone loved that Mexico Beach was so family friendly. The perfect escape from the usual “party” beach crowds.
Leaving Paradise
The decision to go was so hard. But our family needed us back in TX. The day we left, I was so glad I was alone the car. Tears were flowing as I drove out of Gulf Aire and past the pool we had coffee at almost every morning.
Turning onto Highway 98 passing the palm trees on the beach. Through Mexico Beach; Past Toucans, Gulf Foods & Killer Seafood.
Past Jen’s house, our bank and the pottery shop I always meant to go into but never did. One last look at the pier, the Welcome Center and the giant beach chair where we had taken so many cheesy photos with family and friends.
Paradise Lost
That would be the last time I would see Mexico Beach that way.
I am so glad I took the time to take it all in because now most of it is gone.
Literally, GONE!
On October 10, 2018, hurricane Michael swept through Mexico Beach and took most of it away. Blocks and blocks and blocks of houses and businesses reduced to splinters and rubble.
Toucans, gone. Killer Seafood, gone. Sunset Park, the pier, the Welcome Center and the big beach chair, all gone.
Port St. Joe, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Panama City were hit hard too. Friends and neighbors came home to destroyed or mud-filled houses. Trees knocked over, no power, no water. No way to get gas, clean drinking water or groceries. Stunned and shocked – but alive!
The images I saw on TV, and the internet broke my heart.
More tears.
Mexico Beach will rebuild, and it once again will be the friendliest family beach on the Florida coast. But for so many of us, we will hold the old Mexico Beach in our hearts and memories.
What a privilege it is to have lived, worked and played in this extraordinary place. We will cherish those memories forever and look forward to the future of our beloved Mexico Beach and the Forgotten Coast.
Mexico Beach, A Place to Remember.
How could we ever forget?
I Heart Mexico Beach!
