the Gulf waters rose...

It was clear that something was different this past Sunday morning. And I soon realized that nothing would be normal as Tropical Storm Debby was creeping past Sanibel Island in the warm waters

of the Gulf of Mexico.

We ventured to the beach to see the angry sky moving toward our little island. It was eery but beautiful...

The waves quickly swept over the entire beach.

Our beautiful old lighthouse stood tall

waiting for the winds and rain.

We drove to the other end of the island to see how

Blind Pass was fairing...

The long sandy path that leads to the beach was now struggling to hold its stance while the Gulf waters rose...

The water even rushed up to the driftwood at the Deadwood Forest.

It was a bit daunting but it was such a blessing

to see something so spectacular.

Monday morning came and the sun was still buried behind the dark angry sky. As I made my way to Bowman's Beach the wind blew and the rains continued to fall. The Gulf was still raging...

...and the damage was greatest to our precious sea turtle nests.

I was so taken by the sad sight of the nests that I didn't even notice the waters rising around me...

...within seconds the Gulf waters covered my path

and began to rush toward the dunes.

It was time to go.

We were very fortunate these past few days. For folks in Northern Florida, the fate will be so much worse. Keep those in the path of the storm in your thoughts and prayers.