Here in North Florida the month of January is usually our coldest month. It is uncommon to see temperatures rise above 70 degrees for the whole month of January. With that thought in mind, I decided to stay indoors and spend the first couple of weeks of the new year cleaning out closets, drawers and cabinets.
Well! Mother Nature had other ideas this year. She came knocking on our door a couple of days ago and told us it was time to come out and play. The temperatures were forecast to range from 70 to 77 degrees for daytime temperatures. How can anyone stay inside under those conditions?
My husband had time off and we decided to drive the Florida Coastal Highway 98 around to Panama City. We wanted to drive along the coast to enjoy the scenic beauty and also to find a good seafood restaurant.
At the beginning of the drive the skies were overcast and not real pretty picture opportunities. By the time we were on our way back from Panama City the day was glistening and beautiful, warm and breezy. I thought you might enjoy seeing the extreme southern tip of Northwest Florida as it meets the Gulf of Mexico. About a 30 minute drive East of Panama City on Hwy 98 is this charming little beach village called Mexico Beach.
At the beginning of the drive the skies were overcast and not real pretty picture opportunities. By the time we were on our way back from Panama City the day was glistening and beautiful, warm and breezy. I thought you might enjoy seeing the extreme southern tip of Northwest Florida as it meets the Gulf of Mexico. About a 30 minute drive East of Panama City on Hwy 98 is this charming little beach village called Mexico Beach.
It was such a nice day it was not even necessary to wear a jacket on the beach.
There was a gentle breeze blowing.
The sun was shining nicely, but not too hot!
This northwest section of Florida, along the coast is often referred to as the Emerald Coast. I just read in one of the fashion magazines that the color of the year for 2013 is Emerald. They say it is:
"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty
that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
That description of the color Emerald is similar to the emotions we feel being at the beach on a beautiful day like this.
There were a few folks walking along on the beach, and in shorts of all things at this time of year.
There were a few folks walking along on the beach, and in shorts of all things at this time of year.
A very pretty beach-house.
A beach restaurant. I bet their view in the back was pretty!
Some cute townhouses.
The town was quiet because this time of year is not the heavy tourist season.
How about that beautiful color and I love the pretty Petunias in the porch boxes.
A "this and that" beach store.
Another pretty beach-house.
Heading on our way east toward home.
Most of Highway 98 is very scenic and follows along the coast as in the above photo. We are leaving the little village of Mexico Beach now, on our way toward Tallahassee.
We hope you join us for our next stop along the way, which is the town of Port St. Joe.
Sure hope you are having a nice new year so far wherever you may be.
So beautiful, Pat ... that REALLY makes me yearn for Spring. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day at Mexico Beach with us. We're still bogged down with rain and colder temperatures (HIGH of 39 today!) all this week, with a possible chance of some snow mixed in. NOT a good week to be out taking pictures, or anything else, for that matter.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing Port St. Joe.