Been taking a break writing and editing the book, and took a break from that by visiting Panama City Beach with Mosquito (featured on this site in various posts and also in the book). That pic above was taken from the balcony of our hotel room.
Panama City Beach – only about a 13 hour drive from Chicago. Quickest way to the ocean by vehicle from the city.
Often referred to as the Redneck Riveria, here is Urban Dictionary’s definition: The most beautiful beaches in the world. Sugar white sand, gently washed by an azure sea. Home of the best spring breaks, water parks for the kids, tattoo parlors, beer joints, crab shacks, burger barns and tee shirt boutiques. Plus more beach trash and trinkets than you can imagine. There are high-rise condominiums with beautiful drunk skinny girls on each floor.
Well, here is my take on a late January visit. Definitely some nice beaches, and barely anyone on them due to brisk weather (heavenly compared to Chicago, however). I actually prefer my beaches this way. Sweatshirt weather. And not filled with throngs of asshats on a 95 degree day.
Yes on the tattoo parlors, beer joints (though not many on the strip as far as I saw), crab shacks, burger barns and T-Shirt boutiques. However, a lot of the beach clothing stores/gift shops were closed until March. One of the diviest dive bars I’ve been too is there called Donovan’s Reef. Plenty of Miller flowing, a transvestite doing karaoke, smoking allowed (and preferred) and TV screens showing the latest battle in motor-cross.
Also did not see any of the described beautiful, drunk skinny girls on balconies. I didn’t see much of anyone at all. Believe it or not there is a trailer park right on the strip, but it is also next to one of the best eateries there that I would highly recommend (I’m not the only one).
Moe’s Original Bar B Que reminded me of some of the better joints in Austin, Texas. Oh look here is a pic.
We stayed at the Legacy Hotel and the free breakfast, while free, wasn’t breafasty enough so we headed across the street the top notch Great American Diner. Get the breakfast buffet. Enjoy the toast and the friendly waitresses.
No photos for this recommendation, but definitely check out Great White Pizza in Pier Park, a strip with a lot of restaurants, gift shops and even a Ferris wheel.
I’ll leave you with some Panama City Beach photos, including some nice night shots. Cheers.
The Dodgy 