Panama City Beach

Today, I drove down to Panama City Beach. It was the first time I’ve been in that part of the state in about 10 years. The last trip was for a Governor's Conference on Tourism held at the Marriott Bay Point. The city has changed a lot.

Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, was the impetuous for much of the change. The hurricane destroyed many of the older gulf-side "mom & pop" motels. In there place, many new high-rise condominiums have been built or are under construction.

In spite of what you may think about the number of condos being built on the Gulf Coast of Florida's panhandle, one thing is perfectly clear...they're being built because people want to vacation there. The beautiful blue-green gulf waters are spectacular. Walking on the white sand beach yesterday, I was several schools of dolphins, horseshoe crabs, sting ray and a turtle.

Nearby, is St. Andrew's State Park, a beautiful park with fishing, camping, nature trails, snorkeling, and a nature center.