Thursday morning, there was no house at 7509 Gulf Boulevard.

By just after noon, one-quarter of a 3,000-plus square foot home had been trucked down the road, lifted and lowered into place. Within a few hours, that percentage was up to half. By sunset, the whole structure was expected to be in place on pilings.  

Members of Navarre Beach Fire Rescue (NBFR) gathered with family and friends to watch the Land Rover “Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards” ceremony held on Tuesday, Sept. 28. The awards recognize the exceptional service of seven nonprofit organizations across the country.

When Bart Daughtey and his wife go to the beach, they choose the most isolated stretch of sand they can find. Usually, that’s Beach Access 33A, which is in the middle of the Gulf Island National Seashore about midway between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.

That’s where, about two weeks ago, they discovered the remains of a raft, constructed out of bamboo and rope. They found it not long after Hurricane Ida kicked up other treasures from the Gulf of Mexico, including the old Jet Ski that washed up near the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.