Playing Around in Panama City Beach, Part 2

This is continued as I was unable to upload any more pictures to this post for whatever reason.

Enjoy.

Now, there is nothing stranger to a Northerner than seeing palm trees and Christmas decorations in the same scene.



Have you ever tried to take pictures at night from a moving vehicle?

Still, I like the effect.




Well, I found the beach.

And I have no idea why my camera insists upon turning this picture 90 degrees.

We even got the dear husband (who's idea this whole trip was to begin with) down to the beach once.

The family enjoys the sunset.

Another thing we Yanks just have trouble wrapping our minds around is the idea of being able to wade in the surf in late November.

And why does my camera turn the pictures sideways?

Is it senile?

Is it a control issue?

The family in the surf.

The waves wash on shore.

Look for photo opportunities everywhere.

Decorative grass blows in the breeze.

Lovely views from our private balcony.

At home this sign would show a bicycle.

We saw this abandoned hotel that had obviously been hit by a storm surge during a recent hurricane.

Statistically speaking, this area can expect a direct hit from a hurricane every 12.55 years and is affected, either directly or indirectly every 3.54 years.*

*Source: hurricanecity.com

The Foodie Daughter and I ventured down to the Fourth Floor pool area.

The pool has what is called a "zero edge."

Interesting.

Seagulls on the beach.

I found a pretty shell on the beach, only to find that it had an occupant.

I decided to let him be.

I also found an interesting insect on the beach.

Definitely don't find these up north.

A seagull stands on a shoal at lower tide.

Seagulls in flight.

While waiting for the sunset, the Foodie Daughter decided to bury my feet.

Such a nice, thoughtful daughter.

Did I mention that the sand was chilly?

The Boatyard Restaurant as seen across Grand Lagoon.

Their web site gives directions on how to reach them, either by land or water.

We plan on going here later.

See, I told you so.

The restaurant is essentially an open-air affair, with a roof and removable plastic walls for cooler weather.

We were seated next to the dock.

My husband ordered the "Pan Roast of Fish & Shellfish."

This was described as having "Fresh Local Fish and Jumbo Shrimp sauteed in Pan Butter Sauce with Andouille Sausage and Mushrooms, served over Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits.

Savory, hearty and full of flavor."

He agreed with their assessment and enjoyed his meal.

The Foodie Daughter ordered "The Fried Shrimp You Can't Live Without."

The menu promised that she would have "Large butter-flied (why did they hyphenate that?) Shrimp, hand-battered and fried to a crisp golden brown. Served with spicy Cocktail Sauce."

She chose sweet potato fries to go along with her dish.

These were good, but as she couldn't eat all of this, she took the rest back to the condo and reheated it for lunch the next day.

She has enjoyed being able to eat shrimp as the boyfriend was at home and she didn't have to worry about his allergy to shrimp.

I ordered the "Key Lime Garlic Shrimp."

This tempting dish was described as being "Colossal Pink Shrimp broiled in Garlic Butter and fine herbs, topped with a Garlic and Cilantro sauce and served with Black Beans, Yellow rice and Sweet Plantains."

Now, if you look at the photograph, it is obvious that those are not black beans and yellow rice.

I opted to switch those out for the Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits.

You see, grits are just not a dish that one typically finds up north and I really wanted to try some.

What can I say?

This dish was inspired and I loved it.

The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the grits were divine.

The plantain (another food I had never had before) were tart, starchy but irresistible.

I'm hooked.

Too bad I hadn't left any food to take back to the condo for the next day!

A lighthouse sits near the restaurant.

And now, enjoy the sound of the surf in the early morning.

6 am to be exact.

The sea changes, yet the sea remains the same.

The surf at sunset.

I think Panama City Beach has stolen my heart.