Heading to Pensacola Beach or Perdido Key for some family time before school starts? Be sure you have reservations as this has been the busiest summer I have seen in at least 3 years. Going to the grocery store reminds me of what New Englanders do when they know there is a snow storm coming. The blizzard of 1978 never left their minds. Milk, bread, peanut butter, jam, eggs, etc. fly off the shelves at the mention of a snow storm headed their way.

My own experience shopping here this week brought back those memories. I was astonished at the number of people buying groceries. Scooting through as quickly as I could, I overheard some conversations regarding visitors’ friends making a last minute decision to stay in Perdido Key having no luck in obtaining reservations at any waterfront condominium.

Our weather has been totally conducive for lying in the sun, swimming in the Gulf or taking a late night walk along the beaches. The stars and planets seem so close one feels like they can pluck them from the sky. Night time brings the universe closer and darker with the stars shimmering and shinning thanks to little or no light pollution.

More people have requested showings this summer for waterfront homes, Gulf front condominiums and resort vacation properties. Some of these have converted to sales.

While enjoying the beach may be the main reason to visit,, don’t forget downtown with the T.J. Wentworth Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Seville Square, Belmont Arts & Cultural Center, The Saenger Theatre and our Park Squares sharing Pensacola’s history just to mention a few other options.