MIRAMAR BEACH PATROL: One man, one beach, one mission

MIRAMAR BEACH — While officials scan local beaches and waterways, watching for signs of the oil spill's impact, Miramar Beach resident Dan Tomasek has been doing what he always does — walking the beaches he loves. Last week, Florida Freedom Newspapers asked Tomacek to keep them posted on the beaches of South Walton. Here's the local scene through the eyes of one resident.

June 9 | 8 a.m.

My "oil watch" assignment may be in jeopardy:

Beach enjoyment has never been more pronounced. Slight mist, visibility very good from upper deck near Holiday Road Access.

No ships, no booms, No oil, No oil blobs No tar balls. Lots of sun and sugar sand.

I interviewed some vacationers who remarked upon the fact that they had taken advantage of a "wonderful window of opportunity". That "window" has been open, here on the beaches of Scenic Gulf Drive, since the first day of the underwater gusher.

I feel as Paul Revere might have felt should the British have embarked upon unconditional surrender.

June 7 | 7 a.m.

Patrolled customary route with Schoen, the Dachshund. Walked from Beach Access at Holiday Road to "Swim Conditions" flag near Whale's Tail.

Red Warning Flag fluttering in mild breeze. Surf moderately high and Rough. Beach littered with seaweed, but NO OIL SHEEN OR TAR MARBLES. Air humid and warm, but NO PETROLEUM ODORS. Beach population about 1/10 of Sunday's crowd.

June 6 | 8 a.m.

Miramar Beach at Holiday Road access —

No sign of tar marbles or oil sheen. Light mist but beach visible with binoculars for about two miles in each direction. Beach attendance much as usual for a Sunday June morning.

Strollers on beach not side-stepping any tar marbles or oil mess. Sunny, 83oF, moderate surf, light winds. About ten private boats visible near horizon, no large craft in view.

June 5 | 10:28 a.m.

Miramar Beach at Holiday Road —

No sign of oil — none.

Sweeping view of the shoreline from my upper balcony would trigger euphoria in any Panhandle booster. Beach for about three miles in either direction is comfortably populated. Sun and sugar-sand are dazzling.

Temperatures in the mid-80's wispy clouds and moderate winds prevail.

This is simply an ideal June day at our Miramar Beach shoreline. About 15 private craft visible with binoculars.

At this writing, concern for oil slick and tar marbles seems slightly paranoid. May it ever so be.

June 4 | between 6 and 7 p.m.

Walked the beach from Holiday Road access to the warning flag at Whale's Tail. No visual or olfactory perception of oil, and no "tar marbles" coming in with the gentle surf.

Some anomalous sightings: Only one bird was visible during the walk Eastward to the Whale's Tail, and it was flying overhead.

Ordinarily there is a multitude of Seagulls, Sandpipers and other birds busily harvesting Cocina from the surf area.

They were in usual abundance on the beach at Whale's Tail. A considerable amount of curly, gelatinous seaweed has washed up on the beach.

No large ships were visible on the horizon The beaches to the West were in general use. Beach attendance was light, but good humor and cordiality prevailed.

June 4 | 10 a.m.

Bright sun, scattered clouds, temperature 82 F. Beach population moderate but festive.

No sign of oil retaining devices when scanning horizon to horizon. One large freighter on horizon headed West.

Another large ship apparently pointed South, appears stationary — hard to determine course or type.