No oil – No Crowds – Just lots of fun.
I just returned from a few days of vacation at Panama City Beach, Florida. There were no crowds, no lines, no waiting and no oil.
Panama City and the Northwest Florida area has a brand new airport with several flights daily being serviced by both Southwest and Delta Airlines. So forget those long drives… I was there in about an hour from Nashville.
Floridians going above and beyond…
The people of the Florida Panhandle are really friendly and are going out of their way to provide you with a pleasant experience from the airports to the accommodations. A good example was my return flight…
I forgot that I had my dive tool kit in my carry-on since I checked that bag at Nashville and realized it right before the bag got x-rayed. The TSA let me out to go check it. The attendant at Southwest called security and got my previously checked dive bag back and let me put the kit into it. All this to save me the $50 charge for a 3rd checked bag. Additionally we talked a minute about diving in the area and I showed her my fish pictures.
High Security, Nice folks…
After I got back to the TSA screening I had my liquids in the poly bag as I was supposed to. When clearing the x-ray the TSA agent told me there was a tube of toothpaste in my shave kit and next time include it in the poly bag. So technology is improving since this is a new airport they apparently have the latest stuff. All in all the TSA and agents were very nice and went above and beyond the call of duty to make for a good passenger experience while maintaining a high degree of integrity and security.
Taking care of (beach) business
Panama City Beach as well as many other beaches in the Panhandle area is snow white with those famous emerald green waters. I have been traveling to the Gulf since a child and cannot remember the gulf waters being any clearer than they are now. The area has been blessed with east winds which have kept the oil away. Unfortunately many vacationers did not get the message and so lots of cancellations.
There are beach patrols by the Army Reserve, the state and the locals as well as a large fleet of boats constantly surveying and testing the water quality and marine life. I spoke to the soldiers pictured above who stopped to pose with my grandson. It is a good illustration of why these men and women serve our great country “To preserve, protect and defend our liberties”. Panama City Beach is a good reminder of a way of life we often take for granted.
I don’t work for the state of Florida, Bay County or Panama City Beach, but I do have customers in the area and they are ready and waiting for your vacation business. The seafood is fresh; shrimp, oysters, grouper, flounder and Amberjack are still being served at those favorite local places. If you have not planned your vacation, then give this area another look!
Robby Meadows
Nashville Wraps
PS: I write this post because as a member of a large business community we need to share our experiences to help each other in face of this economy and tragedies like the Gulf oil spill. We also very much need to support those who are dramatically affected by the spill and to do so for years to come.
As a Florida resident, I appreciate this article. We also on the east coast have not had any problems with oil spill. I just returned from Key West last week and all is well there too! So come on down!
Thank you for this article! There are so many people that have been adversely effected from the perception that the beaches, waters and fish have been tainted by oil! Hopefully each and every article written on behalf of the Gulf Coast beaches will drive tourists back to our beaches!
Dina
My youngest son and his wife just got back from Panama City and had a great time, my oldest son and his wife are going down in September. Brenda and I are going down the middle of next month. My daughter in law ( sweet ) said something that made me think, she said well they have a lot more to offer that just the water and sand. It’s true the seafood is the best I have been down every year for over 20 years and found no other place that I like better. My friends at Pinapple Willies, Capt Andersons, Montoga Bay, Schooners and a whole list of other fine friends are waiting to wow you with service and excellent food and entertainment. Check them out you want be disappointed.
You can always count on a fresh, uplifting perspective from Robby Meadows. Thanks for sharing and reminding us there are some good times to be had in spite of the well publicized disaster.
Dennis Salazar
http://www.greenpackaginggroup.com
I’ve been wanting to get away to the beach, so thanks for the update on conditions!
Great blog! Our family recently returned from the Destin area. We’ve been going to that area for many years. We love the emerald waters and white sand beaches. We found the area to be clean and uncrowded (a rare experience for that area). We received an unbelieveable deal on our house rental for the week. The beaches were maintained night and day just in case oil was spotted. I join you in recommending visiting the Destin area….you won’t be disappointed and you will be glad you gave them support.
I love this article. Thanks for sharing. The photo is great!