At night, as I drift into a peaceful sleep, the only sounds are the soothing, gentle crashes of the waves on the shore. There are no wild parties, no throngs of people, no garbage or litter often found on other beaches, no high rises, and no cars. The only way to get around on this largely undiscovered slice of paradise is by golf cart. And the only access to the island is by boat or ferry -- there are exactly zero bridges. You simply drive your car onto the ferry, make the short trip across a narrow strip of the Intracoastal Waterway, and deposit your car in the shell-paved parking lot where you’re met by a friendly bell hop who takes you to an immaculate villa. The one-, two- and three-bedroom units are all privately owned. But, luckily for me, most of the owners enlist their vacation condos in a fantastic rental program that allows anyone to enjoy nirvana. Penny Hazen, who has the enviable job of selling bits of heaven, is as friendly and helpful as any realtor you’ll ever meet. And the bell staff, night watchmen, and the rest of the staff are unobtrusive but always seem to be handy when you need them.
Of course, if I felt like doing more than pondering the origin of shells, I could play tennis on one of the 11 courts, enjoy world-class fishing, tour the estuary, rent a kayak or boat, go snorkeling, watch the dolphins, or participate in one of the many other low-key resort activities. There is a wonderful seafood restaurant on the island, but I love to fix my own meals in the fully equipped kitchen and dine on my private deck overlooking the Gulf.
One of my favorite island pastimes is cruising in the golf cart to enjoy the amazing flowers and lush tropical vegetation that adorn the resort grounds. Swaying palm trees, pink and purple oleander, an array of bougainvillea and a seemingly endless palate of hibiscus line the walkways, paths and villas. I’ve also spent many relaxing hours in several of the five perfectly maintained swimming pools and spas. (My daughter and I sometimes sneak into the pool or spa late at night for more star-gazing and heartfelt chats.)
One day, somehow, some way, I know I will be a grateful owner at Palm Island Resort. Until then, I’ll remain a grateful visitor who escapes the craziness of life whenever possible to ponder the many marvels of God’s creation.