Panama City Beach in January

Spent 4 days in Panama City Beach in early January, and was pleasantly surprised.  My first trip to the panhandle of Florida as we normally go further south.  We visited a couple of days with Sherrie's parents, and then spent 2 days at the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel.  The view from hotel balcony gives one the impression of Hawaii.  Very picturesque place, and one I would visit again for sure.  

While January is certainly their off season it was a very quite time to visit.  The prices of the hotel was also very reasonable.  

Lots of shops, restaurants, movie theater and a variety of things to do.   I'm sure during Spring Beak I wouldn't dare visit, but most times of the year this would be a fun place to vacation.

In the evening the hotel had a pool-side movie playing on a big screen they pull up as soon as it gets dark.  Even had a decent view of it from the balcony.  Waking up and sipping coffee on the balcony overlooking the ocean was also a highlight.

Generally the temperature was in the 60's which was a bit cool, but with a heated pool and hot tub, it wasn't bad either.  Even got a good ocean swim in, but with a full wetsuit on.  The ocean was around 65 degrees.  A good wetsuit will make this a year around vacation spot.  

We left on a Friday to head back home and the day we returned it was zero degrees.  Needless to say we will be looking forward to stopping here again next winter if not sooner.
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Visit with ISU Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

Image
This year the Forward Motion Athletics triathlon team is being sponsored by the Indiana State University Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Clinic.  We have had the pleasure of visiting a couple of times already this year.  The first visit to the clinic was focused on using foam rollers and specific exercises to reduce and repair overuse injuries.   Very worthwhile visit and they also spent some time with each of us in testing for strengths and weaknesses.  Needless to say I have a few weaknesses they gave me some tips on improving. The second visit was a bit more interesting, especially for me.  The first part was to introduce resistance band exercises and show us how to use them.  We also did some knee and back strengthening work.  Now the fun part began.  After the clinic they asked if anyone needed some specific work, and they were offering to do some Graston Technique on us if we wanted to.  I’ve read and heard a fai...
Read more

Life in the Swim Lane

Image
My experience with swimming didn’t really start till I was almost 30. These days however I’m starting to spend some quality time in the pool lane lines. I remember in high school when I was taking Advanced, Advanced PE, (yes that’s correct) we did a President’s Physical Fitness Test and I could do everything except for the swim. One lap of the pool and I was completely done. That didn’t change until a few months before I turned 30. With a stress fracture from too much running and a friend who was a former swimmer headed me to the pool for an introduction. My lap swimming experience began at the Sisters of St. Benedict pool in Beech Grove. How is that for a blessed start? My swim stroke is still on the rough side, my kick is not good, and while I may claim a bit of natural cycling and running ability, I make zero claims for that in swimming. However, I have really begun to enjoy the swim time. Probably my most positive memory of swimming is completing a lap in the lake at a Han...
Read more

6 months from today ...

On September 20th the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships takes place near Portland Oregon. Just the month before I turn 50. Seems like a most logical goal is to see if I can be in the best possible shape to finish in the top 8 within the 50-54 age group. By doing so that would put me on the USAT Team for the World Age Group Championships held later in the Gold Coast, Australia in November 2009. My mission now that I have decided to accept it, is to pull out all the stops to make that team. In the next 6 months I have to run faster, swim faster and ride near world class for my age (to make up for my slower swim and run times). As of now I have a broken rib on my right side from a run in with a kamikaze dog, but otherwise in good health. My training was going well till February when I got the flu and my latest setback. However, all things considered I'm feeling positive. My thought now is to treat each day like I'm preparing for the Olympics. In a way I guess ...
Read more