What's the deal with all these gated communities?

Maybe the guards of Alys Beach should be male and female life guards in full (white) beach attire.

Yup.
Far fewer people back then.

Exactly. Eventually we are going to have to figure out where to put people, and the Panhandle is an obvious place. It's going to be really crowded in 20-30 years, folks, which is why I look at the beach development in SoWal and feel pretty good about it, as an investment and lifestyle choice. It isn't PCB or Destin -- take a look at Kurt's recent photos of PCB condo construction. That is every SoWallian's worst nightmare! All in all I feel pretty lucky to have what we have, ongoing growing pains notwithstanding.

The character of the place is not what it once was, and it will change further. It is unavoidable. But I think the growth has been better managed than in most places.

I have a friend who lives in rural Indiana. Her husband is mad that all these suburbs are moving in where there used to be nothing. And here's the kicker: They plan to have 4 or 5 kids! They're already on No. 3. I always want to ask: Where do you think those children are going to live? Zero population growth may be an ideal goal, but it's completely unrealistic.

The ultimate gates on 30a maybe at Alys Beach-they are constructing 4 massive 30 feet high reinforced concrete guard towers on the east and west entrances to Alyc beach on 30A.

Does anyone know if it is true that they will be manned 24/7 by royal guards in armor with swords, cross bows and cannon?

Those gates are a little over-the-top, aren't they? The Queen of England doesn't even have such grand gates to guard her castle in Windsor. :roll:

I read an article about Alys Beach and it's named after a very loving, unpretentious grandma named Alys. I think she's probably rolling in her grave right now. This kind of "look at me" community doesn't seem to mesh with what Alys' life was all about.