About Me

How It Started...

My name is Tony and I moved to Panama City, Florida in February of 2022. I escaped Washington state and the Pacific NW after living there most of my 60 years. There are things I was looking for that WA and Oregon were not able to provide. My heart and mind yearned for something better. When you get older, you really seem to reflect on those things a lot more.

I was so ready for a change, I went totally minimalist, got rid of a ton of my stuff, packed up a moving truck, and headed East. I have never driven that far in my life, but, boy, was I determined!

I really did make a great decision. In Florida, and specifically Panama City, I found that I feel safe, free, and there are so many amazing things here to see and do. It's been a real blessing and, to this day, I wake up and still have a hard time believing this is now my life!

As kind of a side note to you, as you may or may not have noticed, I'm not a Writer. I'm simply someone who loves to write. There is a difference. I get giddy with drawing pictures for people with my words. I enjoy sharing experiences. I may not always have every T crossed and I dotted, but I do my best to talk with y'all as a friend would. I do hope that comes across.

How It's Going...

tony thomas, with my hobby lobby sign from the local store

I live a mile or two from most of the bay waters around me. Often, I'll start my day with a soothing Hydro Massage at Planet Fitness, just around the corner from my home. After that, I love to grab my morning coffee (I have a Sip N Save subscription at Circle K. Any coffee or fountain drink, one each day, for only $10 a month. That seriously cannot be beat!) and then I head down to one of the many bays or beaches for some quiet time.

From there, I'm watching the water, the boaters, and am always treated to pelicans and dolphins playing around me. Researchers claim that watching the water for 20 minutes a day is awesome for your mental health. I'm not about to argue with that! It reduces my anxiety and calms me, so there is definitely something to that.

One thing I enjoy is walking around the St Andrews Marina and looking at all the commercial and personal boats, hunting for Blue Crab, snorkeling, riding my bike, discovering yummy places to eat, and beach-combing. As a "local tourist," I'm convinced that I will never run out of things to do here. Shorts are my fashion of choice the majority of the time.

After coming back home from a day of fun and doing, what I like to call, "experiential research" for this web site, I'll retire to my front porch for an hour or so in the evening. I love sitting there with my coffee, as the sun sets, and listening to the birds sing and the rooster, who lives a couple streets over, crow. He does it in the morning, too, so he does double duty when it comes to entertaining me. Occasionally, I'll catch the squirrels, who live in my trees, run around the front yard. Sometimes, a gecko or two may stop by to say hello. It's all just one visual and audible symphony of peace and relaxation for me.

My Journey Continues...

I've worked from home as a Content Creator for over 15 years, so I have a lot of free time to discover the things around the Panama City areas. I am actually working most of the time. But for me, the line between work and play is extremely blurred. When I am passionate about something I do, that's the way it is.

All I need, most of the time, is my mobile phone and camera. Sometimes, I'll grab my laptop. My beach bag is always in tow no matter where I think I may end up. "Always be prepared for the beach" is my motto. ;)

The whole purpose of this web site about Panama City, Florida and Panama City Beach is to share my excitement with you so that you can enjoy it all, too. I truly want that to come through. I want it to come across as it truly is: Pages of great, useful, and fun content, from the perspective of someone who actually lives here.

I want to be your tour guy. If you're looking to vacation and possibly make this your forever home, I'd love to be a part of that for you, getting you what you want and need to know. If this information is ever dry, I've failed my mission to help in a positive way.

Behind The Scenes Of My Business...

As a side note, I get inquires from friends, family, and sometimes complete strangers (all are welcome!), asking me how I do what I do. "How did you create that web site?" I heard it back when I created my first web business, Romantic Oregon Coast Vacations, over 17 years ago, and I still hear it.

It's all about discovering a passion and turning it into a business. That's it in a nutshell and anyone can do it. I've used Solo Build It since my first site about the Oregon coast and it worked so well for me, there was absolutely no reason to do this next business any other way. If it works, don't fix it. Right?

Solo Build It has only gotten better, added more tools, gotten even easier to use for the Creator, while the complicated web stuff works behind the scenes. There is tons of friendly support too. Everything needed to help create a wonderful, successful business is right inside Solo Build It. Do you have something you love? Turn it into a business that can make you a living!

Finally...

Thanks for coming by. I hope you'll grab your own coffee and explore the excitement of Panama City and PCB through my eyes. Maybe I'll see you at the beach! We'll definitely do coffee. ☕

KEEP YOUR TOES IN THE SAND!