Even a hurricane can't sink this Thanksgiving tradition

ARCADIA, Fla. - When the Peace River came out of its banks after Hurricane Irma, many feared the damage would put an end to a tradition, at least for this year. But at Peace River Campgrounds in Arcadia, the flood in September wasn't enough to ruin Thanksgiving. 

"We have a big Butterball we're going to fry and others we're going to bake,” camper D'Anna Massey  offered, proudly holding up her turkey.

Wednesday, Massey and her husband set up their campsite as they have for 20 Thanksgivings before. 

"Every day, we were working to get electric back, to get everything up and running," recalled Summer Lempenau, whose family owns the campgrounds.

On September 11, the Peace River crested at more than 19 feet above flood stage, rising faster and higher than people here expected. Some camping trailers and sheds were ruined. The dance hall was damaged, but all the work it took to clean-up from the flood makes Thanksgiving even more special. 

"We have 20 people coming and we'll eat outside," added Massey. 

Once again, it's their perfect setting for Thanksgiving on the river.