As I crouched on the back of the speeding boat on my last day in Panama City Beach, waiting for the wind to lift me into the sky, it hit me—I probably should’ve looked up what parasailing meant before agreeing. My purple, parachute-like canopy spread like butterfly wings, and suddenly, it felt like I was skydiving in reverse.
As I cruised hundreds of feet above the sea, my life tethered by a single rope, I expected fear. Instead, I felt peaceful. The experience was calm, almost silent, as if I were floating in the clouds.
With a literal eagle-eye view of Panama City Beach, I ingrained the experience while reflecting on what my friends had told me about facing my fears. I’m glad I went for it.
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But let’s rewind.
Equally lovelly was the first day at the beach—where the sand, made of 99% pure silica quartz, is so fine it squeaks when you walk on it—and a ravishing dinner at Runaway Island.
On the second day, I ate donuts for breakfast at Thomas Donuts and rode the locally famous Skywheel, which I didn’t realize prepped me for the upcoming parasailing.
Dinner was at FireFly, and it was so freaking good that it could compete with restaurants in major cities. We had enough espresso martinis to power my flight back home. On the third day, I went paddleboarding at St. Andrews State Park.
I had no idea how to paddleboard, so I just lay on the board and floated in the sea.
At last, the final day arrived, and I had a lovely time, an end to an itinerary filled with comfort food and water sports. My only regret was not checking out Splash Bar Florida to see more of the local gay culture.
That, I thought, would be my treat next time.
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