After two hurricanes plowed through central Florida, we knew local news accounts would focus on the human and business losses before getting around to the fate of America's largest concentration of year-round tourist attractions. The early word we received on the Gulf coast was that most attractions were okay. Water and wind damaged, without power, but ready to reopen ASAP.

Waltzing Waters in Fort Myers survived unscathed, though their web server was temporarily out of action after Charley blew through. Deidre Heindl reported: "Our show at the Shell Factory is fine, also. The sign now says 'Hell Factory' though!"

Big John, the 28-ft. tall fiberglass giant in Cape Coral, was battered but remained grounded. He was built to resist 110 mph winds. Big John has stood in Cape Coral since 1966.

Update: The Bubble Room, a wacky restaurant on Captiva Island, was reported damaged but not destroyed. [09/06/2004]

February 10, 2012