Panama City Beach

Pat and brother Bob on the beach

TripPix.

A change-up this year. We  visited Bob's sister Pat and her husband Jim in Panama City Beach where they spend a month every winter. The stop took us off our route but it was fun to visit the Florida Panhandle for the first time. Panama City Beach, always been a draw for spring breakers, has  implemented a 2015 ordinance that bans drinking on the beach, and apparently the kids are staying away this season. We did see a few younger faces, but cound the beach very empty for the time of year.


Sea cucumber

The area reminded me a little of Atlantic City (which I haven't visited for many years), unplanned and overbuilt. Single family residences are squeezed in between highrise buildings that restrict the view and light of their neighbors. However, the beach itself is beautiful white sand, great for walking and, of course, sunbathing. A local fisherman had four rods in the water, and he cheerfully answered questions about his catch (pompano and, he hoped, grouper). He identified the strange looking creature we were wondering about - sea cucumber blown in by a recent storm.

We had dinner at the famous Pineapple Willy's, directly on the beach. The most fun for us was the deluxe tour of Panama City Beach, with color commentary by Pat and Jim, and, of course, catching up on family news. They are gracious hosts who made the visit a major highlight of our Florida road trip.