Pensacola Beach Ball

We visited Pensacola Beach over the weekend.  Got a list of things I liked and didn't like, but first I just have to talk about the "Pensacola Beach Ball." 

It's actually a water tower, and is located right in the middle of the parking lot for the public beach.  I just found it to be a really cool way to promote the beach, with the familiar "slices" painted in red, white and blue.  You can see it from everywhere in town (it's not a really big town.)  If anyone asks, "Which way to the beach?" you just point to the beach ball.

  The tower belongs to the Emerald Coast Utilites Authority, which supplies water and sewer services in the area.  According to their web site, the ECUA is a "Three-time award winner as the best-tasting water in Northwest Florida."  And I concur -- I found the water tasted pretty good, right out of the tap in our hotel.  No need for bottled water -- we just filled up our containers at the water cooler before heading out for the day. And this comment is from someone who lives in Tallahassee, where we are spoiled by the fantastic-tasting water.  
  So here's what else I liked, and didn't like:

Like:

- the sign for Pensacola Beach.  You see it on Rt. 98 in Gulf Breeze, at the junction with Rt. 399 which takes you to the bridge across the intracoastal. 

- sugar-white sand

- weather not-to-hot (yet), not-to-cool

- "lazy river" at the Holiday Inn

- Naval Aviation Museum

- Second dozen oysters FREE at PegLeg Pete's!
- McGuires Pub - awesome reuben

Dislike:

- $3.75 toll - each way! - for the bridge from Gulf Breeze to the "mainland"

- 12.5% sales tax at Alvin's Tropical Island beach store !!!  Ouch!

- Smokers.  Lots.

- Rude people (but that's everywhere).