The road bisects Santa Rosa Island.

The large dunes are located on the soundside or northside of the island.

The sparse vegetation has extensive root systems that hold the dunes in place.

Emerald water on the right of the photograph is on the gulf side of the island.

There are few large dunes along the gulf side.

Repairs to J. Earle Bowden Way, the 12-mile road through Gulf Islands National Seashore connecting Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach, are complete. The route is clear and open for the first time since July 2005, when Hurricane Dennis destroyed recently completed repairs from 2004’s Hurricane Ivan.

These were taken just before the road was finished and then damaged again by Dennis.