Spring Break 2012: Panama City Beach

Group Picture

The view from our condo. 

Well hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well, because I know I am! My friends and I just flew back to PA from Spring Break in Panama City Beach, Fl. We had such a great week in our condo and on the beach! We flew from Pittsburgh to Atlanta then onto Panama City Beach last Thursday and spent 7 days in Panama City Beach. Upon arrival, the first thing we all noticed was the WARMTH! Although mid 70s is not really that warm, it felt like summer to us.

Chilly, Cold, Freezing Ocean!

After getting settled into our condo, we ran straight for the beach, and the water. After changing and getting the essential beach items, we made our way to the "beach level" of our resort which led right out onto the beach. Alright so although we thought the outside felt warm, one thing can be said for sure, the water was FREEZING! Like so so so cold, but hey, it was a beach right? We honestly did not care how warm the water was, it did not stop us from diving right in. The first couple of days were pretty over-cast, but warm, which did not really bother me. Eventually I was sure ready for some nice warm sunshine...

Enjoying the ocean and the Sun. 

After a few more days the sun began poking through and finally came out fully. While the sunshine was just what I was looking for, my skin did not think the sun was all that wonderful. After on full day in the sunshine, my skin was fried...I know, I know, I should have put on sunscreen! While the minor sunburn bothered me a little the first day, it did not stop me from enjoying everything the beach had to offer. We laid-out in the sun, and swam in the ocean all day long. At one point, we even attempted to snorkel in the very choppy ocean. Panama City Beach, Fl, was a great place to spend our Spring Break, and I am very happy that we traveled there! 

Our plane being inspected by firemen. 

While the vacation was a blast, we did sort of have a terrifying experience on the way home. Our flight from Panama City Beach to Atlanta, was a bit of an adventure to say the least. While on the runway the pilot noted to all of us that there was an engine problem with the left engine. After restarting the engine everything was "in the clear" and we were ready to fly as normal. I just assumed that this minor mishap occurred frequently and was nothing out of the ordinary. About two minutes after take-off, there was a loud explosion on the plane, followed by screams and crying from passengers. We were all terrified because no one knew what happened. After about three minutes of panic and the plane banking sharply to the right the pilot come on the intercom. He said, "this is your pilot speaking, you may have notice the loud explosion shortly after take-off, that was our right engine, which exploded". At this point I was screaming in my head, and shaking on the outside. He went on, "we are currently running on one engine and will be making an immediate emergency landing back at Panama City Beach Airport". After a short 5 minutes of panic, we landed safely amongst a sea of ambulances and fire trucks. THANKFULLY everything went alright and no one was injured. This mishap did set-us back a day on our flight plans, but we made it back to Erie, safe and sound! 

Mercyhurst-Spirit Dollar for Shuckum's Collection 

Given all of the craziness, I had a wonderful Spring Break 2012, and I would not have changed anything (except maybe the engine failure!). I have an amazing group of friends who I can count on to go on almost any adventure with me, and make me laugh even when times are scary. I thank Mercyhurst University so much, for being the place that brought my friends and I together. No matter what you do, live, laugh, love, and always remember to carpe diem! 
Jeremy