Extended trip to Panama City Beach and Myrtle Beach
Jan 9th, 2024, 04:19 PM
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Extended trip to Panama City Beach and Myrtle Beach
Last winter we went to Portugal for our winter trip (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/extended-trip-to-portugal-1711933/) , this winter we're going to our usual - Florida, but to a location we haven't been before, Panama City Beach.
This is what it looked at home when we left.
Our first stop was Dayton, Ohio.
The drive from Michigan to Ohio on I75 was straight forward and uneventful but somehow we arrived later than we had planned.
The National Museum of the USAF is definitely worth seeing for those that have an interest in military aviation.
The SR 71 is the crowning jewel of the entire collection in my opinion having seen it in flight - ageing myself
.
SR 71
YF 22 notice person for size comparison
YF 23
Avro a failed attempt at a flight disk
The museum has a large variety including early airplanes, experimental airplanes, UAVs, missiles, ICBMs, space capsule from Appollo 15, flight simulators, etc.
The museum deserves a minimum of a full day to appreciate the collection.
Stayed at the nearby Springhill Suites which we enjoyed, clean , comfortable bed for a good night sleep.
Ate at Roosters, casual atmosphere, good chicken sandwiches, the waiter had a pleasant funny disposition, made us feel comfortable and welcome.
This is what it looked at home when we left.
Our first stop was Dayton, Ohio.
The drive from Michigan to Ohio on I75 was straight forward and uneventful but somehow we arrived later than we had planned.
The National Museum of the USAF is definitely worth seeing for those that have an interest in military aviation.
The SR 71 is the crowning jewel of the entire collection in my opinion having seen it in flight - ageing myself
.SR 71
YF 22 notice person for size comparison
YF 23
Avro a failed attempt at a flight disk
The museum has a large variety including early airplanes, experimental airplanes, UAVs, missiles, ICBMs, space capsule from Appollo 15, flight simulators, etc.
The museum deserves a minimum of a full day to appreciate the collection.
Stayed at the nearby Springhill Suites which we enjoyed, clean , comfortable bed for a good night sleep.
Ate at Roosters, casual atmosphere, good chicken sandwiches, the waiter had a pleasant funny disposition, made us feel comfortable and welcome.
Jan 11th, 2024, 04:21 AM
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From Ohio we wanted to drive to Atlanta, Georgia but only made it to Knoxville, Tennessee due to stop and go traffic in Knoxville area.
Stayed at Hampton Inn, it was clean and comfortable, enjoyed our overnight.
Tried Steak and Shake for a quick bite, which we enjoyed.
Next morning we drove to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta unfortunately the parking lot was full , only those with prepaid parking were being allowed.
Drove around trying to find parking, all the lots were full, instead we saw a lot of homeless people ( it seems that every large city and some smaller ones that we visit has a homeless population).
Afterwards we decided to leave and try to visit the aquarium another time.
Leaving Atlanta the traffic come to a stop ( perhaps an accident) after a very slow stop and go we exited I75 at Locust Green, where we overnighted at another Hampton Inn that was clean and comfortable.
Ate at Shane's BBQ, it was ok.
Tip: if visiting the Georgia Aquarium purchase tickets AND parking for guaranteed entrance.
Stayed at Hampton Inn, it was clean and comfortable, enjoyed our overnight.
Tried Steak and Shake for a quick bite, which we enjoyed.
Next morning we drove to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta unfortunately the parking lot was full , only those with prepaid parking were being allowed.
Drove around trying to find parking, all the lots were full, instead we saw a lot of homeless people ( it seems that every large city and some smaller ones that we visit has a homeless population).
Afterwards we decided to leave and try to visit the aquarium another time.
Leaving Atlanta the traffic come to a stop ( perhaps an accident) after a very slow stop and go we exited I75 at Locust Green, where we overnighted at another Hampton Inn that was clean and comfortable.
Ate at Shane's BBQ, it was ok.
Tip: if visiting the Georgia Aquarium purchase tickets AND parking for guaranteed entrance.
Jan 12th, 2024, 03:48 PM
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From Georgia we drove directly to Panama City Beach.
Panama City Beach has many hotels, rental apartment buildings and rental houses along the very long beach.
Our accommodation, road side view
Our view
Nice sunset on our first evening
Gets dark early so the pool is lighted for evening swims
Panama City Beach has many hotels, rental apartment buildings and rental houses along the very long beach.
Our accommodation, road side view
Our view
Nice sunset on our first evening
Gets dark early so the pool is lighted for evening swims
Jan 13th, 2024, 08:17 AM
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Panama City Beach row of beachfront hotels and apartment buildings
Can you spot the building in the back? That's the difference between beachfront and ocean view
Row of beachfront homes, some are rentals
Some restaurants have beach patios for dining that offer a nice beach view, this one is Pineapple Willy's
Along the beach there are several beach accesses for those staying inland however we haven't seen public parking near the beach accesses
Public walkway to the beach
Public walkway to the beach, this one is part of Rick Seltzer park and has parking
Beach flag info
Sea creature washed ashore Sea cucumber? Sea slug?
Still don't know what this creature is
Small pen mussel intact
Full size pen muscle shell damaged
Jellyfish
Underside of damaged jellyfish
Colorful barnacle washed ashore
Jan 15th, 2024, 08:04 AM
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Todd Heredeen Theatre
We went to the Todd Heredeen Theatre for a dinner and show.
Met Todd and his wife Angel a few days before at the box office.
Very nice people, down to earth, friendly , made us feel welcomed.
The dinner and show consist of a fried chicken dinner with mash potatoes, gravy, green beans, bread, cupcake and soft drinks, it was actually quite delicious, the fried chicken was better than the big chains like KFC.
Todd and Angel put their heart into a great show from different artists, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Elvis.
Todd also interacted with audience with some jokes.
The band was good, quite impressed by the trumpet player and lead guitar.
Strongly recommend the show if you're in Panama City Beach.
Todd Heredeen Theatre
Inside the theatre
Decorations in the theater
The dinner is served semi buffet style
Todd and Angel Heredeen along with the band.
We went to the Todd Heredeen Theatre for a dinner and show.
Met Todd and his wife Angel a few days before at the box office.
Very nice people, down to earth, friendly , made us feel welcomed.
The dinner and show consist of a fried chicken dinner with mash potatoes, gravy, green beans, bread, cupcake and soft drinks, it was actually quite delicious, the fried chicken was better than the big chains like KFC.
Todd and Angel put their heart into a great show from different artists, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Elvis.
Todd also interacted with audience with some jokes.
The band was good, quite impressed by the trumpet player and lead guitar.
Strongly recommend the show if you're in Panama City Beach.
Todd Heredeen Theatre
Inside the theatre
Decorations in the theater
The dinner is served semi buffet style
Todd and Angel Heredeen along with the band.
Jan 16th, 2024, 04:56 PM
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Unfortunately a tornado hit about a mile away from us, while we're ok others had their property severely damaged.
Fortunately no one was killed.
House lifted from foundation
Damage at trailer park
House damage
Commercial building damaged
Boat throwned onto the beach
Fortunately no one was killed.
House lifted from foundation
Damage at trailer park
House damage
Commercial building damaged
Boat throwned onto the beach
Jan 19th, 2024, 05:20 AM
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On a grey day we decided to do a day trip to nearby Seaside.
One of Seaside's claims to fame is the fact that the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carrey was mostly filmed in town.
On the way to Seaside we also stoped at Rosemary Beach, while the weather wasn't good for the beach, it was perfect for walking in town and appreciate the architecture.
Rosemary Beach, some of the architecture seems to have a European flavor
Rosemary Beach shops
Rosemary Beach fountain
Entrance into Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach road flanked by Palm trees
The iconic Seaside Piramid
Inside the Piramid
Seaside Beach
Seaside food trucks
Seaside post office
Seaside town interior
Seaside Paris cafe
Seaside white picket fence homes
Seaside interior park
Seaside park sculpture
Seaside Palm tree row on the main square
One of Seaside's claims to fame is the fact that the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carrey was mostly filmed in town.
On the way to Seaside we also stoped at Rosemary Beach, while the weather wasn't good for the beach, it was perfect for walking in town and appreciate the architecture.
Rosemary Beach, some of the architecture seems to have a European flavor
Rosemary Beach shops
Rosemary Beach fountain
Entrance into Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach road flanked by Palm trees
The iconic Seaside Piramid
Inside the Piramid
Seaside Beach
Seaside food trucks
Seaside post office
Seaside town interior
Seaside Paris cafe
Seaside white picket fence homes
Seaside interior park
Seaside park sculpture
Seaside Palm tree row on the main square
Jan 20th, 2024, 05:27 AM
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Supermarkets and fish markets
The main supermarkets that we use are Walmart, WinnDixie, Publix and Fresh Market.
There are also several fish markets, some with similar names, our favorite is Buddy Gandys, they have whole fish that they clean and fillet if requested, crabs, shrimp, scallops that they steam on request for a fee.
They also sell oysters.
Publix supermarket
WinnDixie supermarket
Fresh Market
Buddy Gandys our favorite fish market
Buddy Gandys fresh whole fish
Live blue crabs at Buddy Gandys
Buddy Gandys fresh caught shrimp, they have heads on or headless. We keep buying the large shrimp and Buddy steams it - delicious.
Whole shrimp steamed from Buddy Gandys
We eat the shrimp by itself or in our version of seafood pasta. Fettuccine, Marinara sauce, Shrimp topped with Parmesan cheese and Green Onions.
Doesn't get much better than this
The main supermarkets that we use are Walmart, WinnDixie, Publix and Fresh Market.
There are also several fish markets, some with similar names, our favorite is Buddy Gandys, they have whole fish that they clean and fillet if requested, crabs, shrimp, scallops that they steam on request for a fee.
They also sell oysters.
Publix supermarket
WinnDixie supermarket
Fresh Market
Buddy Gandys our favorite fish market
Buddy Gandys fresh whole fish
Live blue crabs at Buddy Gandys
Buddy Gandys fresh caught shrimp, they have heads on or headless. We keep buying the large shrimp and Buddy steams it - delicious.
Whole shrimp steamed from Buddy Gandys
We eat the shrimp by itself or in our version of seafood pasta. Fettuccine, Marinara sauce, Shrimp topped with Parmesan cheese and Green Onions.
Doesn't get much better than this
Jan 21st, 2024, 02:38 AM
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Oh fresh head on shrimp. Get some and google for a recipe for Louisiana BBQ shrimp--preferably a sheet pan recipe which makes it super easy. You will never look back on a steamed shrimp!! Great pics. The seafood market is wonderful.
Jan 21st, 2024, 01:33 PM
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Gretchen
Thank you for your suggestion, I'm going to look for the recipe.
Buddy's seafood market told me that due to the cold water some fish are further south until the water warms up, but we're having seafood feasts with what's available.
Thank you for your suggestion, I'm going to look for the recipe.
Buddy's seafood market told me that due to the cold water some fish are further south until the water warms up, but we're having seafood feasts with what's available.
Jan 23rd, 2024, 06:06 AM
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Panama City Beach has several several attractions/activities for non beach days and beach stores if you forgot your beach supplies.
Pirate themed mini golf
Pirate themed mini golf
Pirate themed mini golf
Animal themed mini golf
Go karts
Rollercoaster
Themed beach stores if you forgot your beach supplies
Interesting store entrance
Pirate themed mini golf
Pirate themed mini golf
Pirate themed mini golf
Animal themed mini golf
Go karts
Rollercoaster
Themed beach stores if you forgot your beach supplies
Interesting store entrance
Last edited by aulop; Jan 23rd, 2024 at 06:09 AM.
Jan 24th, 2024, 10:31 AM
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Another beach day with mixed weather, we took a relaxing walk on the beach and a day trip to Port St. Joe - where I hoped to see the shrimp boats with their long "arms" but none were in port.
PCB beach
PCB beach
" Homos Detectus "
Sand abrasion sculpted this piece of black wood
PCB beach mini sand cliff
This time of year is the off season, no lifeguards, their huts are stored inland
As we drove to Port St Joe we passed by Tyndall AFB, the road is somewhat desolate
Jet streaks from Tyndall AFB practicing
Mexico beach, Florida
Mexico beach was severely damaged by a hurricane some years back but most of the town is rebuilt
Mexico beach house on stilts, common feature in Florida's coastal areas
Mexico beach house rebuilding
Mexico beach house stilt remains
Finished our day back at PCB
PCB beach
PCB beach
" Homos Detectus "
Sand abrasion sculpted this piece of black wood
PCB beach mini sand cliff
This time of year is the off season, no lifeguards, their huts are stored inland
As we drove to Port St Joe we passed by Tyndall AFB, the road is somewhat desolate
Jet streaks from Tyndall AFB practicing
Mexico beach, Florida
Mexico beach was severely damaged by a hurricane some years back but most of the town is rebuilt
Mexico beach house on stilts, common feature in Florida's coastal areas
Mexico beach house rebuilding
Mexico beach house stilt remains
Finished our day back at PCB
