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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.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c42815b885.jpg 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 :cool:. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...86f9d5621d.jpg SR 71 https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9b73cee747.jpg YF 22 notice person for size comparison https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e55f2eb121.jpg YF 23 https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f32f925066.jpg 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. |
Thanks aulop for this trip report! I’m glad you included your stop in Ohio on the way south, a state I’ve enjoyed getting to know better in recent years.
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Daniel _Williams
Thanks, it's going to be an ongoing report. |
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. |
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. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9eca77467.jpeg Our accommodation, road side view https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...78d7e9401.jpeg Our view https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2d1773bbdb.jpg Nice sunset on our first evening https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b37d4db6d0.jpg Gets dark early so the pool is lighted for evening swims |
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Panama City Beach row of beachfront hotels and apartment buildings https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6438c97852.jpg Can you spot the building in the back? That's the difference between beachfront and ocean view https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0b4c883c1.jpeg Row of beachfront homes, some are rentals https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6d89ad1eb.jpeg Some restaurants have beach patios for dining that offer a nice beach view, this one is Pineapple Willy's https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d9ed4bac3.jpeg Along the beach there are several beach accesses for those staying inland however we haven't seen public parking near the beach accesses https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eedee65cad.jpg Public walkway to the beach https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...07f9b0b9e.jpeg Public walkway to the beach, this one is part of Rick Seltzer park and has parking https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...80b394180.jpeg Beach flag info https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1e6c803ccb.jpg Sea creature washed ashore Sea cucumber? Sea slug? https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...353362c197.jpg Still don't know what this creature is https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c7041fbd1.jpeg Small pen mussel intact https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b1dde2d86.jpeg Full size pen muscle shell damaged https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...37d28b2bf.jpeg Jellyfish https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cffd1c665.jpeg Underside of damaged jellyfish https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...82341edc46.png Colorful barnacle washed ashore |
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. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5dffb82f8.jpeg Todd Heredeen Theatre https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b50a7674.jpeg Inside the theatre https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...db8380383.jpeg Decorations in the theater https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1e9659b08.jpeg The dinner is served semi buffet style https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1009391b6c.jpg Todd and Angel Heredeen along with the band. |
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. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8e2800a369.jpg House lifted from foundation https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...86e1d6b799.jpg Damage at trailer park https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...63ce2b3f31.jpg House damage https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a68c79c95e.jpg Commercial building damaged https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...df517270ba.jpg Boat throwned onto the beach |
Great photos! Thanks for sharing. I feel like I'm there!
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FloridaLover7
Thank you for the positive comments, appreciate it. We'll be in Florida for a while longer, I'll keep posting about it as we experience it. |
Another fan here, looking forward to more.
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Thanks for taking us along on your trip.
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Brian_in_Charlotte
oldemalloy Welcome aboard, hope my trip report will be helpful. |
Ksowjanya5512
Thanks for the positive comments, appreciate it. |
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. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d69ba261c.jpeg Publix supermarket https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ec9c260a2.jpeg WinnDixie supermarket https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6c084057.jpeg Fresh Market https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ae60c1c44.jpeg Buddy Gandys our favorite fish market https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5b282114.jpeg Buddy Gandys fresh whole fish https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8272a5943.jpeg Live blue crabs at Buddy Gandys https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5f37df3d9.jpeg Buddy Gandys fresh caught shrimp, they have heads on or headless. We keep buying the large shrimp and Buddy steams it - delicious. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ed5c684f1.jpeg Whole shrimp steamed from Buddy Gandys https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cd5e7c7676.jpg We eat the shrimp by itself or in our version of seafood pasta. Fettuccine, Marinara sauce, Shrimp topped with Parmesan cheese and Green Onions. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...622ada9250.jpg Doesn't get much better than this |
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.
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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. |
Panama City Beach has several several attractions/activities for non beach days and beach stores if you forgot your beach supplies.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1429763e2e.jpg Pirate themed mini golf https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b2bb882bb.jpg Pirate themed mini golf https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f6bfb0668.jpg Pirate themed mini golf https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...786c946ec5.jpg Animal themed mini golf https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3e2027a47c.jpg Go karts https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4724b1cc04.jpg Rollercoaster https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0d149427c0.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8b421061d8.jpg Themed beach stores if you forgot your beach supplies https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3a784014a.jpeg Interesting store entrance |
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.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1c6c3f8d6.jpeg PCB beach https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...26b1d1468.jpeg PCB beach https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...54272ba15.jpeg " Homos Detectus " https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8efba9933.jpeg Sand abrasion sculpted this piece of black wood https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...964d81ba59.jpg PCB beach mini sand cliff https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6436bd4924.jpg This time of year is the off season, no lifeguards, their huts are stored inland https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...657e0e692f.jpg As we drove to Port St Joe we passed by Tyndall AFB, the road is somewhat desolate https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...29fde3faf.jpeg Jet streaks from Tyndall AFB practicing https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...40778b0f0.jpeg Mexico beach, Florida Mexico beach was severely damaged by a hurricane some years back but most of the town is rebuilt https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...83fa2e9e1.jpeg Mexico beach house on stilts, common feature in Florida's coastal areas https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fbd159e34.jpeg Mexico beach house rebuilding https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dd8a7cb0a.jpeg Mexico beach house stilt remains https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...da3d0a8df.jpeg Finished our day back at PCB |
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