jerry vegas has a similar story. he quit the eighth grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. he works long, grueling days to earn enough money to support himself year round. today, the waters where he spends his years are closed to him. every day this bill worsens, he loses hope he will be able to return to the life he built. you can put a price on a lost season, but not a lost heritage. the effects of the spill reached beyond the shore line. i spoke with a woman who owned a small convenience store for 30 years, a store opened by her father. she depends on the sales generated by tourism season. this year, most of the boats that would lie in these stocks are nowhere to be seen. the owner of the sand dollar marina and hotel has been hit hard as well. this time of year, rooms are usually filling up. he too has been devastated by the decline in tourism and the suspension of fishing in waters off the louisiana coast. their stories are familiar to many in grand isle and threat the gulf region. dimly have been here