Mexico Beach, Florida -- Quiet and Wonderful

by Kristy McIntosh
(Georgia)

We try to take a trip to Mexico Beach every couple of summers. This beach is about 30 minutes away from Panama City, but has not been touched by the tourism that most Florida beaches have.

We generally rent a house that is within walking distance from the beach so we never have to drive. The kids spend their days making sand castles, flying kites and fishing from the pier.

In the heat of the day, we go inside to watch movies and play games. In the evenings, we usually pick up fresh caught seafood from the market, or go to one of the small local restaraunts. Then, the adults sit on the rooftop deck and enjoy a glass of wine while listening to the waves.

It is still quiet here and it is dark enough at this beach to see the stars. We sometimes take a night walk to see the fiddler crabs running to their home, or to walk the pier.

It is also about 15 minutes from Cape San Blas, which has some of the best shelling in the world, so we usually plan a day trip there. We have been there in the summer and in the fall, and Mexico Beach is one of my favorite places to relax and unwind.