Last time we were in Panama City Beach was at the start of our winter trip in mid-January 0f 2020. We walked on the beach in our winter coats and gloves, and vowed to do our next trip southeast in reverse – giving the panhandle a chance to warm up a bit more before our arrival. That extra month made a big difference – although we were not without cool days – just not frigid ones!

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit Seeking the Sun 2023.

One Thing that Never Gets Old!

The Landmark Holiday Beach Resort is a bit past its prime, but one thing rings true on every visit. The views from our condo balcony are spectacular – especially around sundown. Thanks to the woman (whoever she may be) who was flying her kite on that brisk day in 2020. And thanks for the dolphin for swimming by our condo and showing itself long enough for me to get a pretty good – but far-away photo.

Conservation Park

We’ve been to Conservation Park several times on our two trips to PCB – the first couple of times in 2020 as things started to warm up a bit. This park offers 24 miles of trails and over a mile of boardwalks that range from 0.6- to 11-miles and snake through gorgeous Cypress trees.

A couple of photos below show the green covering on the water under one of the beautiful boardwalks in the park. l remembered this from our last visit where it looked more like a crust with no plants coming up through it. I called it a slime, but in doing a little research it’s June Grass, which isn’t a slime OR a grass – it’s an algae that is a critical part of the ecosystem here.

Check out Pines, Swamps and Springs to see more photos of this beautiful place, because my photos below picture some of the natives that have come to life as things start to warm up in spring.

Historic St. Andrews, FL

The last time we visited St. Andrews most of our time was spent in St. Andrews State Park. Check out Gator Lake* if you’re interested in reading about our experience in the park. It’s absolutely beautiful and is definitely worth a day (or two)!

Today we visited the town itself in hopes of taking the free guided walking tour that starts at the Panama City Publishing Co. Museum. Unfortunately the tour wasn’t going out as planned, but we picked up a paper copy so we could check out several of the stops on our own. It was still a lovely day and now we have to return one more time – for the tour and another round of Volcano Chicken (see below).

Panama City Publishing Company Museum

Although we didn’t get the guide with our walk, we did get an extensive tour of the museum. It was high on my list of things to do today, with my roots in the printing business. The building is chock-full of photos, newspapers, original printing presses and office furnishings which were still in use in 2005. In October of that year the city purchased the building, and over the next few years it was restored and opened as a museum.

“For visitors of all ages, the Panama City Publishing Company Museum preserves and exhibits local history, cultural resources, the vintage printing craft, and the stories of George and Lillian West and how they influenced the development of Bay County.

George Mortimer West, a writer, promoter, economist, horticulturist, publisher, railroader, attorney, photographer, and entrepreneur, is credited as the founding father of Panama City, developing it into an economically viable city on the shores of St. Andrews Bay. He and his third wife Lillian Carlisle West, built this Panama City Publishing Company building in 1920, in the heart of historic St. Andrews.” ~ READ MORE

In Cardboard Form:

George and Lillian in their office, and George’s great-great grandson Charles (Buddy) West standing by his original Heidelberg. Buddy ran the business until 2005 when it was sold to the city.

Vintage Printing Equipment

If you have any background in printing, this place is a treasure-trove! From a historic letterpress and the cases where every. single. letter. was stored, to stitchers and trimmers. There’s even a Royal 440 manual typewriter – almost like the ones from high school typing class! Yes kids, there was life before the computer. I love the smell of the mimeograph in the morning!

Stroll Around Town

Time for a Break

When we needed a stop for a beverage by the marina to watch the sun sink into St. Andrews Bay, the Salty Hobo Rock Bar fit the bill. “Panama City’s premier dive bar” had great beers and beautiful views.

Since we loved it so much in 2020, we topped off the day at Thai Basil for another round of FABULOUS Volcano Chicken. Do you think they’d deliver to Wisconsin?

What a Lovely Day!

Next up: For the Love of Flowers

Happy trails,
Barb