Great Things to Do At Panama Beach, Florida-- Souvenirs

They have some really great places to buy souvenirs, but no Wings which are so prevalent along the east coast. The one Alvin's Island, which looks like an island from the outside is probably one of the biggest souvenir places I've ever seen. It just goes on and and on. Then, there are those noisy and energetic parrots that provide entertainment. They also have a very sleepy live shark.

At Sharky's on the beach, you can get a live lobster as a souvenir, if you can catch it. I think they'll even cook it for you. But you have to catch it with a claw like you see for the plush animals...and these can move.

There are several "Everything's a Dollar" stores which have a lot of junk, but some really nice things as well if you take the time to look. And, like they say, everything's a buck and a few even less.

Shipwreck Shirts is more of an upscale souvenir place.

The Wal Mart is huge, and being replaced by an even larger one later this year. They also have a huge souvenir selection and more Mardi Gras beads and stuff than I've ever seen outside of New Orleans.

The liquor store attached to Donovan's Reef sells some really tropical looking Donovan's Reef shirts.

Spending Mo Money. --RoadDog

A Perfect Beach Motel

What was to be a two night stay in Panama City Beach, became a five night, and eventually nine nights.

We liked the Driftwood Lodge that much!! The price was right. Our room was just 50 yards from the Gulf of Mexico with chairs, loungers, and picnic tables right outside the door, along with a mini fridge, and microwave.

The price, at $55 a night most of the time was on the mark as well. Of course, it is considerably higher come summer, but this was off season.

The pool was heated to 80 degrees and there was a hot tub next door at the Osprey Motel, also owned by the same family. Speaking of family, the Driftwood has been owned by the same family for over 50 years with the second generation running it today.

The only drawback was the lack of a good wifi signal. They have it, but you have to be up by the office to really get good reception. We could just barely get it out in front of our room, and even then, on a few occasions, I lost a lengthy blog entry which didn't make my day. There was no reception at all in the room.

We got to know our neighbors, the couple from Indiana and the one from Ohio. They'd both been there since the beginning of January and were staying to the end of the month. Lots of other friendly people staying at the Driftwood as well, many coming back many times over the years.

We'll Be Back. --RoadDog

Must Go Home, But...

It's 3:50 PM and sitting out at a picnic table watching the waves of the Gulf of Mexico roll in onto an incredibly white beach about 50 yards away.

Unfortunately, tomorrow this time, I'll see the other lanes of an interstate as we head for home. What originally was to be two-three days in Panama City Beach, ended up being nine. Oh, well, someone has to sit here and make sure those waves continue to roll in, and I'm just the guy to do it.

We will be back next year!!! And for longer.

The palm trees and sea oats along the small dune nicely frame it. Listening to a great Beach station, 95One play a mix of Beach Music, well-known oldies, and not so well-known oldies. Our neighbors here in cabana row, Larry and Beth from Indiana are getting ready to fire up the grill. Then, there's that great Donovan's Reef across the street. I can handle it.

On the Road Again, I Wish I DIDN'T Have to Get on the Road Again, This Time. --RoadDog

Speaking of Karaoke

I continue to find things I can sort of sing and things I ought not even try to sing.

I have to put "Chantilly Lace" in the "Can" column along with Sam the Sham's "Little Red Riding Hood" and "There's a Tear in My Beer." Neither of the first two were great singers and lots of talking through it. For some reason, I don't do badly on Hank Williams, Jr. An even if I don't do great on these, folks are singing along so loudly, mess-ups aren't noticed as much.

Two in the "Can't" column would be "American Pie" by Don McLean and "Signs" by the Five Man Electric Band. The last one is a definite no.

The guy running the karaoke can't sing much either and won't start until he has at least three victims signed up.

On Wednesday, we had a guy named Tommy singing some mighty good country. Last night, one guy got up and sang two of the best renditions of country songs I've ever heard, but was told that he sings in the band at Tootsies at Pier Park. A girl got up and did "Redneck Woman" just as well, and she was at Tootsies as well.

One black guy was absolutely great singing anything, including Hootie & the Blowfish.

And, speaking of karaoke, The Beach, 95.1 FM, just played Patsy Cline's "Crazy." Two people did that last night including Phylis. We couldn't get Donovan's "Mayor," Gary, up to sing no-way, no-how. But, he sure did trip the light fantastic out on the dance floor the night before.

Had a Great Time. --RoadDog

Going for the Warm-- Part 4-- Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach, Donovan's and the Lodge

Drove and drove a really long way east and then south to Port St. Joe, Florida's Constitutional City (something about it being made there) and played NTN at the Thirsty Goat which is part of an old Beach hotel dating back to around 1900.

Then went to nearby Mexico Beach and played at Mango Marley's, a Beach Bar in every sense of the word from the logo "Floribbean Food, Fun and Rum", picnic table seating and bar.

We'd considered staying in Mexico Beach, but found no motels within walking distance. Drove back to Panama City Beach and checked out a bar we'd seen called Donovan's Reef (same name of the place back home that we hang out at) and found it to be a locals type place, AND, there were three motels right across the street, two of which were mom and pop, two story places right by the water.

Got a room at the first place we stopped, the Driftwood Lodge. We are right off the beach in what they call cabana rooms. Not bad for $60 a night plus tax. Then, it dropped to $55 Sunday.

We Are Finally Beachin' It. --RoadDog

Sittin' Out By the Gulf-- Finally Warm

Jus' sittin' here on a brilliant blue morning at 9:13, looking at the different hues of the Gulf of Mexico and that incredible white sand about 50 yards away. It finally GOT WARM after two pretty bad cold days. Still have my Sox jacket and blue jeans on, but plan to get into shorts and tee soon.

Temps forecast in the upper sixties the next three days. Just saw on weather bug that it will be in the 40s and even a 50 degrees tomorrow back home, so imagine everyone will be out running around in shorts and tee shirts.

Listening to the Beach 95 One who are just now playing General Johnson of Chairman of the Board's "When Can I See You Again." This is a mighty good oldies/Beach station that not only plays the Beach stuff about a third of the time, but also a huge selection of oldies, about hald of which are not the same-old, same-old ones played by most Oldies Stations. Right now, "Dirty Water" by the Standells. Great Garage Rock.

Is It Five O'Clock Somewhere? --RoadDog

Going for the Warm-- Part 3

Third Day.

There sure isn't much from Dothan, Alabama to Panama City, Florida, other than a nice four lane road, which keeps dropping from 65 to 35 going through what apparently passed as small towns in Florida. However, there was a really nice Florida Welcome Center with very helpful workers and free orange juice. Welcome to you know where.

Ate at a great barbecue place upon arriving in Panama City called Smitty's. A bit expensive, though and a ripoff at $5 to add a salad bar to your meal. Loads of model planes from WW I to today hanging from the ceiling and pictures of planes on the walls. I imagine it is for Tyndal AFB which is located here.

Scoped out Panama City Beach which is a good drive from PC and found a motel near some bars that might be of interest.


M0re to Come. ---RoadDog

Going for the Warm-- Part 2

Friday, we continued on I-65 into Alabama, stopping at the Tennesseean Truck Stop for a delicious catfish buffet. We'd never driven this stretch of I-65 south of Nashville before.

Drove past Birmingham and to Montgomery. Let me say this about US-82 on the south side of Montgomery. We took it from I-65 to US-231, and this was some of the slowest, most-congested, traffic light-infested driving I've ever had the pleasure.

You'd think the city planners could do a better job of lining up the signals and especially not stopping traffic on 82 to allow a few cars from side streets to get on. This was horrible.

Drove to Dothan, Alabama, after finally getting the hell out of Montgomery. Played NTN at five sites. Evidently, in Alabama, i9f you don't serve a certain amount of food, you have to be a private club. We have three memberships to show for our efforts.

Still Heading South. --RoadDog

Going for the Warm-- Part 1

Thursday, January 29th, we decided we'd had enough of all this global warming and headed southward to the Florida Panhandle, Panama City and points west.

Had fun with the snow that had fallen in Indiana the day before, standing in ice sludge to pump gas in Crawfordsville (but great $1.64 a gallon) and even more fun maneuvering along the snowy and icy streets of Columbus. Played NTN at Fourth Street Bar.

Then drove I-65 past some of nature's painting, snow on the trees until we got to Louisville, when it turned to ice. Going through Kentucky, the trees were bent over tremendously and some were right on the the edges of the road. Stopped at Horse Cave for gas, but the station and McDonald's had lights, but was closed. The McDonald's at Cave City was open only to drive through, but a gas station was open.

Drove to White House, Tennessee and visited with my nephew, his wife, and kids, then spent the night in Franklin, Tennessee.

On Da Road. --RoadDog