Coming to Pass

This memoir offers a personal glimpse into the fragile beauty of the northern Gulf Coast islands, highlighting their past, present, and future. Coming to Pass emphasizes the need for environmental protection.

In Coming to Pass, Susan Cerulean presents a heartfelt exploration of the northern Gulf Coast islands, a little-developed necklace of beauty that is both cherished and impermanent. This memoir serves as a field guide to the landscapes that have captivated her for decades, while simultaneously calling for their protection. Cerulean reflects on how these islands once appeared, how they exist today, and the potential transformations they may undergo as sea levels rise due to climate change.

Throughout her journey, Cerulean has kayaked, hiked, and bird-watched around Dog, St. Georges, and St. Vincent Islands with family and friends. Her experiences include collecting scallops, snorkeling over a submerged lighthouse, and casting nets in search of mullet and shrimp. However, like many, she initially lacked understanding of the islands' origins and the significant changes threatening the coast. Partnering with her husband, oceanographer Jeff Chanton, she delves into the genesis of these landscapes and their deep connection to the Apalachicola River.

In her quest for knowledge, Cerulean interviews scientists studying endangered species such as sea turtles and beach mice, highlighting the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Accompanied by stunning photographs from award-winning nature photographer David Moynahan, Coming to Pass encapsulates Cerulean’s explorations and emphasizes our spiritual bond and responsibilities to the natural world that surrounds us.