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The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
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Living in
paradise comes with a price
By Melissa Martin
Picturesque views of sky, sea, and sand. Oceanic experiences with wet
creatures, lush vegetation, and tropical trends. Soothing sounds, salty
smells, and savory seafood. A hammock, a book, and a cold beverage.
Ahhh. “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water,”
affirmed Loren Eiseley.
What is your “beach personality?” An article in Coastal Living labeled
the types: Beach Bums, Water Bugs, Nature Lovers, Boat Crew, Cultured
Pearls, Fishing Buddies, and Golf Club. www.coastalliving.com/.
According to a 2013 study in the journal Health & Place,
“…individuals reported significantly better general health and mental
health when living nearer the coast.” Maybe that’s why many seek out
costal regions to pitch their tents.
”At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but
mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow
the sun,” confirmed Sandy Gingras.
While tourists flock to beaches for summer vacations, others choose
permanent residence on shoreline real-estate. Some are natives and some
are transplants.
But, death is the ultimate price that some pay for living in paradise.
Coastal dreamlands of sandy beaches, sunny days, and splendid ocean
views destroy people and demolish properties during and after
hurricanes. Wind and waves devastate dwellings when nature turns
deadly. Flood insurance premiums increase and paradise becomes more
expensive.
Hurricane Michael recently ravaged the town called Mexico Beach in
Florida. The storm certainly surged on that part of the Florida
Panhandle and beyond. Damaging winds knocked out power to over 1
million customers. The word “catastrophic” is being used. The Weather
Channel depicted the damage after the landfall, while behind the
forecaster crew the calm waves lapped the shore and the sun warmed the
sand. Mother nature had unclenched her fists.
Hurricane Michael has just joined the deadly hurricane club. It’s being
called a historic Category 4. “At least 18 deaths have been blamed on
the powerful storm – eight in Florida, three in North Carolina, one in
Georgia and six in Virginia.” www.weather.com.
On the morning of 10 September 2017, Irma made landfall in the Florida
Keys as a Category 4 hurricane. Tourism is down and towns are still
recovering.
Many surfside areas in the United States are known for tropical waves,
tropical storms, and tropical cyclones; storm surges and flooding;
damage and destruction. Nonetheless, residents rebuilt as if their feet
are cemented to the shifting sand.
So why do humans flock to shorelines? What power do wooing waters hold
over humanity? Why do coastal homeowners risk pain to find pleasure?
Oceanfront, lakefront, riverfront—water seems to soothe the soul.
“Water is the driving force of all nature,” surmised Leonardo da Vinci.
I treasure my Myrtle Beach memories. The Outer Banks and Cape Cod
beaches are exquisite places on our blue planet. Emilia Wickstead
avowed, “To escape and sit quietly on the beach - that's my idea of
paradise.” I agree with her.
“It's no secret why so many of us choose to live in coastal regions.
These are areas of great bounty and beauty. The downside? These areas
are also prone to many natural hazards such as erosion, harmful algal
blooms, big storms, flooding, tsunamis, and sea level rise.” That’s
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/natural-hazards/.
However, according to a 2016 article in the New York Times, “Rising sea
levels are changing the way people think about waterfront real estate.
Though demand remains strong and developers continue to build near the
water in many coastal cities, homeowners across the nation are slowly
growing wary of buying property in areas most vulnerable to the effects
of climate change.”
Island Hunters is House Hunters (HGTV reality show) focusing on
American buyers moving to tropical islands. They seek and find homes
located on foreign sandy beachfronts. The lure of warm climates and
salty waters continue to entice humans to experience a vacationer
lifestyle abroad.
The price of living in Paradise rang true with the images of Hurricane
Maria as the wind and surge blasted Puerto Rico, Dominica, and
northeastern Caribbean.
Instead of living in paradise, maybe I’ll just build a Koi pond in my
backyard or surf the Ohio River.
Melissa Martin, Ph.D, is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist.
She lives in Southern Ohio County.
www.melissamartinchildrensauthor.com. Contact her at
melissamcolumnist@gmail.com.
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