February 7, 2017. Running from the storm

CAMPGROUND:  Campers' In RV Park.  WAY overpriced at $55.  Downtown, beach location.  Full hook-ups.  Mostly seasonal guests.  Pool.  Poor shower and toilet.  2 stars out of 10

LOCATION:  Panama City Beach, Florida

WEATHER:  Rain and cloudy all day with periodic thunderstorms and downpours

 

We left Buccanner State Park in Mississippi fairly early as the weather forecast for Mississippi and Alabama was not good.  We drove on the coastal highway where a beautiful boardwalk stretched out for about 25 miles.  This would be a great summer beach location, although it is probably super hot.     This entire area was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina a few years ago.  We passed hundreds and hundreds of brand new houses.

These new houses were built right next to the foundations of houses that blew away in the hurricane with only the foundation and perhaps a swimming pool left.

It seems that people are willing to risk another hurricane disaster.     It didn't take long to cross through Mississippi.  In Alabama, it really started to pour.  It was like a curtain of water fell on us.  The weather forecast looked a bit better east of us, so we continued on.     Along the beach highway in the Florida Panhandle, it seemed like it was one huge city.  Beach town after beach town all melded together.  They used to call this the "Forgotten Coast".  Believe me......It is no longer forgotten.  Shopping balls, tacky tourist shops, hotels, condos, etc etc for miles.  

We ended up in Panama City.  We weren't thrilled with the RV park, especially the price, but another storm was rolling in.  Just as we parked and hooked up the electricity and water,  the heavens opened up again.  One reason this park is so expensive is its location....near the beach and near beach restaurants, bars, etc.  We weren't able to take advantage of any of that due to the weather.  

 

We watched the weather on the TV news.  it looks like we made it through New Orleans before a hurricane hit a part of the city, and made it through parts of Alabama that had terrible storm damage.  Just lucky we are dry and safe.  

DINNER:  Leftover udon.  I added ramen noodles, broth and lots of veg to stretch this to another meal.  Hit the spot on a rainy night.