Breakers - Seashells by Millhill

As I sit here, 20 miles inland from the east coast Florida beaches, I wonder what kind of devastation is taking place over there as Hurricane Matthew passes by.

Here, the wind was howling with gusts of 50-70mph, but we got off easier than originally thought. My rental house did not blow away as I had feared. We have minor damage in the yard with limbs broken and the fence leaning. Now the storm is moving on to the north, and all this wind and rain will eventually die down.

After the three hurricanes in 2004 – Charlie, Frances and Jeanne – I had visited the seashore in New Smyrna Beach to see the damage. My husband (at the time) and I ate at Breakers on Flagler Ave. and we could see that the sand was all washed away down along the shore. The ocean was coming up around the place, and the beach ramp was under water.

A few days after our visit, the restaurant was condemned for safety issues. I remember how the sight of the ocean having taken over the beach was so sad. So I am thinking that this time I will find a similar situation. The beaches will have to be re-built. And what about the sea creatures? How have they fared?

The beaches eventually recovered from the 2004 storms, and they will this time too. Once the news crews can get beachside, we’ll be able to see the devastation.

Click here to see photos from Flagler Ave in New Smyrna a few days after Hurricane Matthew.

Lucky me, I had the chance this summer to visit my old stomping grounds in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I met up with a friend who wanted to head out to Flagler Ave. and have some lunch and see the sights.

It was the week before the July 4th holiday and I think people had begun vacation early because the area was quite packed for a middle of the day week-day. We drove into Breaker’s tiny parking lot and miraculously got a spot right outside the back door.

We found our seats at the wooden bar with perfect views of the beach and ocean. Before we ordered our food, a storm moved in and the beach patrol was getting everyone out of the water. It didn’t amount to much and we ended up driving onto the beach, after our meal, and headed down to the jetty at Ponce Inlet.

Breakers Restaurant is a favorite with the locals and tourists alike. It nearly washed into the sea during the hurricanes of 2004, but thankfully it was refurbished and is as good as new. The pink building with the best view on any beach still serves up a mean (and delicious) fish sandwich.

You can see more of my pictures on my page Plan a Florida Beach Vacation.