The past few months have seen hurricane after hurricane ravage Florida. They may have taken out a lot of the trees, flooded and destroyed many buildings and homes but they failed to do one thing: destroy the Sunshine State's indomitable spirit.

This article is dedicated to all those who suffered at the hands of Bonnie, Charley, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne. This collections of photos have been taken by me and others over the past years in some part of Florida that was touched by the destructive winds and waters of the hurricanes of this historic season. They were all places of remarkable beauty when these photos were taken and no matter their damage at the moment, they will emerge just as glorious as the Sunshine State, now tousled by natures forces will emerge once again triumphant after the storm. (The title image, (minus the text) of a section of roof from a nearby building, was wrapped around a telephone post was taken by me near the St. Johns/ Putman County line just after Jeanne.)

Sometimes it's hard to find a Florida beach that isn't swarming with people. One often-overlooked spot is on Florida's Forgotten Coast. Carrabelle is a quiet community in the curve of the panhandle. The Gulf of Mexico kisses almost deserted sparkling spun sugar sand beaches. Boats of all types are silhouetted against a cobalt sky. It's a fisherman's heaven but that is not the only reason to visit Carrabelle. Far enough north not to swelter, far enough south not to be blasted with frigid air in the winter, Carrabelle is perfect for any season.

Both Bonnie and Ivan brushed the area but did not cause much long lasting havoc.

For more on all the other activities in Carrabelle, visit http://www.forgotten-florida.com/fishinghtm.htm

Sanibel Island lies just off Florida's west coast near Fort Myers. Historically, it and its neighboring island, Captiva, were favorite haunts of pirates looking for a peaceful place to lie low when they needed a safe harbor. It is considered one of the world's premier shelling spots. Because of the slope of the land, the beach forms a natural ramp causing shells to be rolled into instead of out of the beach. The best times to shell are early morning, at low tide or after a storm.

Sanibel and Fort Myers were surprised when Charley, expected to hit Tampa turned abruptly and entered here instead

To learn more about Sanibel visit http://www.leeislandcoast.com/everything_to_do/beach/shelling.php

Fort Pierce is St. Lucie's county seat and a delightful spot to explore the history of this part of Florida. The visitors center is housed in a historical treasure, a restored 1910 home known as The Seven Gables House. The restored Main Street area is home to delightful shops, restaurants, and a delightful array of special events to add to the fun. To make it all even better, the beach and marina is right next to downtown.

This area was hit harder than most by Francis and Jeanne. We wish them all the best as they return their county to its former beauty.

To learn more about St Lucie County and Fort Pierce visit http://www.visitstluciefla.com/index.htm

Crescent City on the shores of two lakes,Lake Crescent and Lake Stella, was originally a winter playground for wealthy northerners. Scenic waterways abound in this area. Perhaps that is why it is considered the Bass Capital of Florida.

The Crescent City/ Putnam County area also raises more ferns than anywhere else in the county. The giant oaks that shelter the tender greenery offer a pictureques setting for picnics under their boughs. The same oaks wrought much devastation when Francis and Jeanne toppled many of the ancient trees. In this picture, some jetskiers prepare to sample some of the lakefront hospitality of Three Banana's, a popular dining spot in Crescent City.

To learn more about Crescent City and Putnam County visit http://www.flausa.com/destinations/location.php/location=ci-crc

Pensacola Beach
Photo credit: Pensacola Convention and Visitors Bureau

Pensacola has one of the proudest heritages in Florida.The first Spanish explorers arrived in 1528 followed by settlers within a few decades. This first ill-fated settlement was frightened away ironically by a hurricane.

It narrowly missed being the scene of the first shots fired in the Civil War because a hurricane delayed the Confederate attack.

Aside from a tremendous historical district, a thriving cultural arts community, delectable restaurants, museums, a zoo and some unique shops, it has some of the most beautiful beaches found anywhere. Ivan wreaked much of his fury in this lovely spot but as it always has, it will bounce back better than ever. To learn more about Pensacola, visit http://www.visitpensacola.com

Citrus County is called the Nature Coast with good reason. Each winter thousands of visitors flock to Florida's Citrus County. They come by road or air, but the most interesting visitors are the ones that come by water. West Indian Manatees come to here in the winter for many of the same reasons that the humans do, mild winters and warm waters for swimming. The county takes good care of their huge aquatic guests. Forty six percent of the county has been set aside for parks and preserves During hurricanes, it is not only human populations that suffer. Manatee survival rates are affected too.

For more about Citrus County visit http://www.citruscountychamber.com/tourism.html

When the Pilgrims finally landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, St. Augustine was already a thriving settlement with a fort, a church, a hospital, shops and over 100 houses. The present lighthouse was completed in 1874 and had witnessed many hurricanes.

The nation's oldest continually occupied city weathered a swipe by both Francis and Jeanne but suffered little lasting damage and is currently welcoming visitors to discover its historic sites and sandy beaches.

Ironically, it was a hurricane that first decided the ancient city's heritage would be Spanish not French.Two reckless explorers sought to claim Florida for their respective countries. Both Spanish Pedro Menendez and French Jean Riboult arrived in Florida on August 28. 1565. On September 3rd, Menendez found a place with a good harbor. He called this place San Augustine. Realizing the vulnerability of his big galleons that could not come across the shallow bar in the harbor, Menendez sent them back to Santo Domingo on September 10th.

Ribault sailed in pursuit of the two vessels. Fate intervened in form of a typical Florida hurricane blowing the French fleet before it with a vengeance. Menendez, realizing that the storm would prevent Ribault's return to Fort Caroline in time, marched his men to Fort Caroline. He captured it without the loss of a single Spaniard. Of the 240 Frenchmen, they killed 132. A few escaped but the victory was overwhelming. Menendez then intercepted the remainder of the French Army near the site of present day Fort Matanzas and slaughtered all but a handful thus insuring Spanish domination of Florida.

To learn more of the nation's oldest city, visit http://www.visitoldcity.com/

Alligator being "groomed" by a water bird.
Photo credit Martin Walls

The Everglades is unique in the entire world.The delicate balance of nature here could be actually be helped by the destructive forces of a hurricane.

Traditionally man had been its worst enemy. Only in recent years have we come to realize the importance of this giant "River of Grass."

Draining to gain farmland had pushed it to the edge of devastation. Huge surges of water and vast rainfall would replenish its dwindling quantities of water.

It is one place everyone should visit. Just don't go in the summer.

For more on the Everglades, visit http://www.tropicaleverglades.com/

Tampa was expected to be hid dead on by Charley. It escaped the eye when the erratic windbag changed its mind and took aim at Lee County but still got a lot of wind and rain but the attractions sustained little or no damage.

Tampa is one of Florida's premier coastal locations due to so many attractions as well as terrific beaches.

Busch Gardens closed in anticipation of the expected hit but opened again with no damage.

For more on Tampa Bay area, visit http://www.visittampabay.com/

It was not only the coastal areas of /Florida that suffered from the unprecedented hurricanes of this year. Inland Florida felt natures fury as well.

Lake Wales took a devastating hit but is back in business and looking forward to even bigger and better things in the future.

Bok Towers is the best known of its attraction."Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it." So said Edward William Bok, philanthropist, Pulitzer Prize winner and editor of Ladies' Home Journal. The garden and world famous tower is his legacy to the American people.

Spook Hill is a marvel that has to be seen to be believed. I tried it and did not believe my own eyes. Folklore and legend offer more questions than answers. Whatever the reason, drivers now follow a one-way road, than stop at a white line. Under a banner touting S-P-O-O-K H-I-L-L, they put vehicles in neutral, hold their collective breath and appear to roll slowly up an incline.

Along with Bok Gardens and Tower, Spook Hill and other existing attractions, Cypress Gardens will reopen under the new ownership of the same people who own Wild Adventures in Valdosta.

To learn more about Lake Wales, visit http://www.lakewaleschamber.com

Merritt Island is actually a barrier island. It is known mainly as the home of NASA's Space Center. Indeed the visitor center for the Space Center is truly an interesting attraction. However, one of its lesser known attraction is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Here you will find a sampling of most of Florida's birds and many other animals. The refuge holds two annual festivals, one in April, Welcome Back Songbirds Festival, and one in November, Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival.

For more information on the refuge, visit
http://merrittisland.fws.gov/

For the festivals, visit http://www.nbbd.com/fly/index.html or http://www.nbbd.com/festivals/WelcomeSongbirds/index.html

When people think of Daytona Beach, the usual vision is sandy beaches, motorcycles and fast cars. That is one side of the "World's Most Beautiful Beach" city but there is far more to it.

Historic Beach Street boast an eclectic mixture of museums, theaters, eateries, antique shops, boutiques and much more all facing the scenic Riverfront Park on the banks of the Halifax River.

Although Daytona Beach suffered through Charlie, Francis and Jeanne, they are pushing to bring their city back top normal- fast. So don't let little things like hurricanes stop you from visiting this city with so much to do and see.

To learn more about Daytona Beach,visit http://daytonabeach.com/beachstreet.asp

Although Key West and the Florida Keys missed any direct hits so far this season, they did get enough winds and rain and had to evacuate so they definitely deserve a spot on this page.

This photo was taken from Mallory Square at sunrise. Probably the best place in the country to view a sunset.

To all of these places and to the many more which felt the forces of our unprecedented hurricane season, we at American Roads wish you a speedy recovery and many happy visitors.

For more about Key West, visit http://www.fla-keys.com/