[2 p.m.] On the 17-mile drive from Bonita Springs to Naples Beach, I couldn’t believe the number of trees that had been uprooted or snapped like twigs by Wilma’s winds. They will be cleaning up this stretch of US 41 for months. It seemed to me that anything planted by man less than a few months ago—and down here, where there is loads of development, that’s a lot—had been sucked out of the ground by Wilma. I saw some people out on US 41 with their own chainsaws cleaning up debris.

These were clearly just Joe Citizens who decided to pitch in for the good of the neighborhood. You know these type of guys. They just love any excuse to use their chainsaw. Hedge need trimming? Use a chainsaw? Need to knock down an old wooden fence? Chainsaw? Unnecessary amputation? Chainsaw. Whatever the job, this guy will tell you the chainsaw is always the best tool. Every neighborhood needs at least one guy with a chainsaw, you know? Of course, if that guy is wearing a hockey mask with his chainsaw, avoid him.

What really bummed me out was seeing this grand old banyan tree toppled over near downtown Naples. The odd thng is that I was at this very spot yesterday, when I stopped to ask directions to the beach. I parked near this same tree of the church parking lot and walked across the street to the Holiday Inn to ask how to get to the pier. When you see a tree this big, you think nothing could destroy it. But here it is a day later, laying on its side with a huge chunk of concrete sidewalk lifted off the ground when the roots became exposed. It was like an old heavyweight fighter getting KO’d by some newcomer named Wilma.

There was also plenty of businesses who lost awnings, roof shingles and signs. In fact, hardly any business in Naples and Bonita Springs appeared to have escaped without some damage. Except the PF Chang. They came through this clean as a whistle. Yesterday, they claimed they will be open at 4 p.m. today for happy hour. I don’t know how happy it will be with no electricity to cool the beverages. Over at the Borders books, one of their employees, no doubt a yet-to-be-discovered brilliant artist, forgot to bring in the outdoor cafe tables before closing last night. The result: one of the poles for the umbrella was lodged in their steel storm shutters. Bummer, dude. At least none of the books appeared injured.

This is along US 41, well off the coastline. Here, entire parking lots were under water, traffic lights were knocked down and anything you didn’t anchor or bring inside during the storm was likely not here today. I can only imagine what it’s like down at the pier on Naples Beach.