This is sadly the last summer for the Miracle Strip Amusement Park here at Panama City Beach. It’s closing its doors after Labor Day.

Miracle Strip was – and is – a tiny, cheesy, tourist-trap of an amusement park, but was a rare treat during family beach trips to Panama City. It has been on this sand for an amazing 41 summers, opening in 1963. This spring, however, the park fell victim to the onrush of development. Look for another high-rise condo to take its place next year.

I hope to ride the Starliner roller coaster one more time before the doors close for good. And perhaps take Kelly and Hallie around for a little tour.

It’s sad to see childhood landmarks fade away.

I have achieved a geek fantasy today by blogging from the beach. It took me dragging the access point to the balcony, but I’m here in the sand with the Gulf of Mexico ten meters in front of me.

Whew. Now that little milestone has been achieved, I’m going to take my big girl out into the water. Maybe later I’ll log onto IRC and taunt my cubicle-bound friends. I’m so evil!