PANAMA CITY BEACH – Bay County braced itself for a Father’s Day tide of tar balls, but early-morning clean-up crews found only scattered black flakes.
As the Gulf oil spill oozed eastward, the local newspaper announced “It’s Our Turn.” Favorable winds helped prevent most of the oil from reaching shore.
Panhandle tourists and oil spill workers mingled on the beach next to the City Pier. The workers were the ones wearing “Haz-Mat” T-shirts and bright blue plastic gloves.
After the shoreline was combed for tar balls, a tractor groomed the beach for Sunday visitors. Several miles of shore were untouched, with thousands of people enjoying the bright sun, white sand and clear water.
Shane Cummings, a tourist from Carrollton, Ga., spent Father’s Day on the beach with his wife and three kids. They love to visit Panama City.
“If anything, it seems more crowded this time,” Cummings said. “It took forever to check in yesterday.”
He booked a beachside hotel room two months ago. The Gulf oil spill didn’t change his plans.
“I’ve got a friend going to Destin on Wednesday,” Cummings said. “He isn’t worried, either.”
This kind of talk is music to the ears of Dan Rowe, president of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The timing of the oil spill could not be worse, coming on the cusp of the summer tourist season. Panama City will rely on the loyalty of long-time visitors, along with prompt response to any pollution from the oil spill.
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nice post. thanks.