We've been very selective of when we leave the beach for places unknown, but with our time in PCB coming to and end this month we decided it's time to get out and about.
Our first stop was the Panama City Beach Conservation Park. It's a forested haven for walkers, joggers, bikers, and picnickers. The building below is the focal point with public restrooms, water fountains and benches to just sit and enjoy.
Five different trails provide varied workouts from the easy 1.7 mile trail to the longest of 11 miles.
John rode his bike, while I walked. The forest is lovely...
...but I found the boardwalks over the swamp a little freaky. I can't help it. As I looked down at the green slime all I could think of was someone tossing a body over the railing. Then, I wondered if it would float. How sick is that? Sometimes having an overactive imagination isn't such a good thing. Anyway, this boardwalk over Cypress Pond is 1696 feet long, so I had LOTS of time to think...about...bodies...
Camp Helen is further west, closer to Laguna Beach. Originally private property, it was sold in 1945 and until 1987 was a company resort for employees of an Alabama textile mill. This is the main house...
The front porch is SO inviting.
This water tower supplied drinking water to the main house...
...as well as the row of cabins.
The view from both the main house and cabins overlooks the bay.
To the far right is a picnic area and a walkway to the beach.
Off in the distance civilization (high rise buildings) are just a hop, skip and a jump down the beach.
The beach is gorgeous, but the destructive force of the ocean is amazing as shown by this pier.
Two days, and two great places to visit in the panhandle.
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