Snowbirds cutting short visits to the beach | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Snowbirds cutting short visits to the beach | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "Marilyn and Jerry Culp enjoyed a light breakfast at Native Cafe on Pensacola Beach on Wednesday as they talked to locals about the area's best attractions.

The couple was surprised they could tour Civil War-era sites such as Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas.

This is the first time the Cambridge, Iowa-snowbirds have wintered in Florida.

"For 15 years we've gone to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico," said Marilyn Culp, 68. But with soaring airfare and rising drug war-related crimes in Mexico, they decided to stay in the United States. After a disappointing trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2009, they headed to Pensacola Beach this year. They arrived on Feb. 14 for a monthlong visit."