"The Water's As Clear As I've Ever Seen It"

That phrase was heard more than once during my family's recent beach trip to the Gulf Coast.  And it's true: It was so clear you could walk out into the Gulf neck-deep and still see your feet.  No tarballs on the beach; no sticky, staggering pelicans gasping for breath and smelling like the underside of a '76 Impala; nothin'. It was beautiful, sunny, and perfect.  So, if you canceled your vacation to the Gulf because of the media's tales of OilSpillmageddon!, you are a dupe.

Of course, I wasn't complaining much, because we never got caught in traffic or had to wait in line in a restaurant.  But all the same, if you've still got some vacation time, I encourage you to go.