And The Rain Came
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
Canada
February 16, 2016 6:12am CST
Yesterday started out as a beautiful day. We are planning our escape from Florida to go back to winter.. Watching the weather, thinking by the time we leave hear for the north, the roads will be clear and dry.
We did some laundry at the laundry mat . When we got back to the condo we checked out the pool and the sun was bright and cheery. Our plan was to get some rays and then go to lunch. We knew there was rain and tornados in our future so we planned to stay home and not drive after lunch.
By the time we looked out across our deck we could tell the clouds were in a hurry to hide the sun. We never got to the pool, but enjoyed a short trip to the next town for lunch.
Lunch was a disappointment. We research the restaurants on line to make sure we will enjoy our meal. Twice now, both in Panama City, were a huge disappointment. A few days ago the Greek restaurant that was so highly praised had changed owners and the new owners don't know what they are doing but are doing a good job of ruining am interesting place. Yesterday it was a highly recommended Pizza place, but when we got there, their menu had changed from fabulous to same ole same olé. The pizza was good thankfully but nothing special.
Back at the condo we watched TV, read our books had a sandwich and watched the storm come at us over the Gulf Of Mexico. Including Tornados that went north of us and thankfully missed us. The Lightning Show was spectacular !
Today promises to be a beauty, warm and dry. We look forward to catching some rays, walking on the beach, and enjoying the day here on the beach, including our favorite restaurants and Happy Hour...
Do you read reviews of the restaurants on line while you travel? Yelp and Trip Advisor are two good places to look at reviews. 
18 people like this
17 responses
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
20 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate We never had a basement either. My grandfather built a storm cellar in his back yard but we were a little too far away to be able to get there before a bad storm hit. I don't know why but in the south it doesn't seem like we have a lot of basements.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
@simone10 I refused to live in a house without a basement in Kansas - I was too chicken and we rented so we made sure there was safety in a pinch. No idea why the south doesn't have basements except maybe high water levels in the ground or sandy soil...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
We were glad too, I wonder what people do during a Tornado in a high rise. When we lived in Kansas we always ran to the basement. Our condo didn't even have a basement.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
I hope it was gentle on you. My area in Canada was dumped on with wet snow.nwevhope it will be gone by the time we get home.
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
16 Feb 16
ohhh you are not having much luck with the weather .... I hope it stays sunny for the rest of your trip and that you have a safe trip back.... I do not read restaurant reviews... I go by sight or recomendations from friends...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
16 Feb 16
The weather is supposed to be great until we leave and better after we are gone...
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
16 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate , that was some weather that hit there by you! Sorry the restaurants were a disappointment. I hope you got to the pool today!
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
17 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate , that is a pity, but I am glad you had a great day by the pool and on the beach, before heading back to winter. Have a safe trip back home!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
We had a great day by the pool and on the beach. Sadly today is our last day. We will be on the road north before dawn tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
17 Feb 16
Our storm came during the night and cleared up in the early morning. There is only one descent pizza place in all of Florida, which we found in Boynton Beach. I use Trip Advisor, but rely on friends down here for good restaurants. When are you leaving? Don't go! We are going to have excellent weather for the foreseeable future!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
It supposed to be nice at home when we get there. We leave in the morning.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
17 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate Safe travels. Our son and family is leaving Orlando this evening.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4189)
• China
16 Feb 16
I don't read much on these reviews from travel websites since they are usually not so accurate due to some lapse of time between the reviews and present. So like you've experience change of owners or staff even could just go about ruining your day. For me, I would go by the word of mouth from a friend who had just made a trip, or check with the concierge or reception of my hotel when I am traveling since they would have the best local knowledge most of the time. Other than that I will be visiting the place during meal times to observe the crowd and if it is oddly quiet then I would not want to enter there.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4189)
• China
21 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate
LOL! I supposed the staff must so well paid that they simply could afford not to serve or worry about the number of customers needed for the shop to stay in business and pay their awful salary.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
We were often watching the parking lots of new place, only once we were fooled. We walked into a place that was huge and had a number of cars in front, But only one other table was taken. We had a drink and left. Obviously the staff was parking in the front to draw people in.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
21 Feb 16
I have always been in love with Florida and the Gulf of Mexico! Glad you are enjoying the sun and fun if not the food.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
21 Feb 16
Most of the food was delicious only twice out of a month we were disappointed. I loved the area.
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
17 Feb 16
I understand how it feels to get all ready for a certain food that it makes your mouth water, only to get there be so disappointed. My husband and I recently had an experience like that. Sorry you had that bad storm. I am so happy the sun is finally coming out and it is warming up the rest of the week. It will be 55 today, but by Saturday it is suppose to be 70.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
it is frustrating when you expect something and its not there. Glad it warmed up for you, I am back in Canada and its darn cold here.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
Word of mouth from friends are good too. We met so many people on our holiday it was surprising, how many shared their favorite places. Even some bartenders/waitresses would tell us of places we wouldn't want to miss. And they were right...
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
16 Feb 16
We leave on Thursday. We watch the weather and a huge BAD storm system went through last night. We hope it will be gone, by Thursday
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
17 Feb 16
Don't know about your end of Florida but we had 2 very wicked tornadoes which luckily didn't injure anyone and a very heavy rain storm BUT by 1 PM the rain was gone, the wind was gone, the sun was out and it was 83 degrees! I LOVE my world!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
I'm in the panhandle so we didn't get as warm as you. The storms hit us the night before. Glad to hear there wasn't much damage, we have friends in Laudardale.
I check for reviews...always :)@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
16 Feb 16
We think the new owners were just going cheap, frozen products instead of do it yourself.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
16 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate quality control. Sigh. Compromising everything
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
I review resorts on Trip Advisor and always search for them when we plan a trip.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
20 Feb 16
Word of mouth is the best way. being away was fun finding new places to try, we are home now and need to wind down. But its darn Cold in Canada...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
Thanks, we have had a good time, sadly it's time to pack and go,home.
@LadyDuck (502729)
• Italy
16 Feb 16
I read the restaurant reviews and finally I ask to friends, too many times TripAdvisor have old reviews and int he meantime the cook changed and the restaurant is no more good. I know for sure for a local restaurant, still great advice, but the cook has changed 4 months ago and now it's horrible.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Feb 16
That's what happened on both of our disappointments.
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