Welcoming in 2017 in Day by Day

Last Thursday’s chilly temperatures were a nice departure from our endless summer, but it was a temporary reprieve. By Sunday, we began to climb back into the high 70s, which was great, since it meant the a/c stayed off, but I do wonder how mild a winter we’ll have. The warm-up was nice. 58° was wonderfully chilly, but I prefer mid-70s. The BEST part was the absence of humidity…yes, here in Florida, we experienced 15% humidity, which is downright desert-like and quite rare in the sub-tropics! The wind currents changed again by Monday, bringing the humidity back to us, but it’s only temporary…another cold front is due this coming weekend!

Last week’s atmospheric conditions, along with a low hanging cloud cover, were perfect for a stunning sunset on Thursday. Florida’s sunsets truly are spectacular. Some claim to see a green flash on occasion, but I’ve never seen it. Thursday’s sunset was the prettiest I’ve ever seen. It spread, like a rainbow wash of color, from glowing sun-yellow on the southwestern horizon and splashing in a northwest direction, blending to vivid oranges and moving on to an ever-deepening red, fringed with deep purple tones at the edge. It looked as if nature spilled her paint box across the sky. I was glad not to have missed it.

We had a fairly quiet New Year celebration. We walked across the street to our above mentioned neighbor’s house, and had a couple of drinks while the men watched the game and I tried to keep track of the wife’s conversation threads. It’s a challenge. She takes some interesting routes, but always seems to tie it together. Anyway, we were home by mid-night, party animals that we are. A lot of people were shooting off fireworks, so much so that it felt like the 4th of July.

We packed away the Christmas decorations on Sunday, wrote the thank you cards, put away the gifts, and I now feel as if life is getting back to our version of normal. It was nice to drag it all out and I got rid of a few more things, so every year gets a bit simpler. The card exchange is still out of control and I’m sort of resigned to it now. I tried to cut back for a few years, everyone ignored it, so now I’m back to it again. Next year, in unanimous decision, the immediate family will not exchange gifts. I’m not sure how I’ll like it, but it is an on-going quest to create new family memories (old traditions without Nick is proving too painful right now) and make the holiday more meaningful and less about possessions.

I’m already tired of the 2016 reviews. Long, repetitive lists of Celebrities Who Died, endless reviews of the recent election, sage diet and exercise advice (unsolicited, of course), and JON BENET RAMSEY of all things, until I want to scream. It’s all mildly interesting the first time, but hammering the information in hundreds of times tries my patience. And you just know there will be Debbie Reynolds movie marathons coming up…not that her flicks were even on the radar for decades. It’s not that I have anything against Debbie or Carrie, but, you know, we’re getting older. And as the Baby Boomer generation ages, a lot of us are gonna die. It’s a hard concept to accept, given that most of us really, truly believed we’d remain “forever young”, so all these deaths in a row are a reminder of something they can’t face. Instead of saying, “Holy crap! I’m gonna die soon!”, they shed crocodile tears and lament that she was so YOUNG. No, she wasn’t, especially Debbie. Now people are exclaiming that the guy who played the chaplain on MAS*H died, too! Well, yeah. The poor guy was 84 and had lung cancer. All of these deaths are sad in their passing, but the ANGST over it? I’m not getting it.

My friend’s passing was certainly a lot more personal. I’m in charge of arranging a dessert table for her funeral. I’m relieved. When her daughter called and said she had something to ask me, I was afraid she was going to ask me to speak at the funeral. I didn’t know my friend well enough to give a eulogy. She wasn’t a close friend, but I DID like her, and providing desserts is as easy as it gets. I’m thinking mini-eclairs, sheet cakes, a few cookie trays and maybe a trifle and I’ll get the ladies in my Life Group to help, too. Oh, and chocolate covered strawberries, because my friend liked strawberries and chocolate.

The boys made our fall trip to New England official by booking seats for us all and we are planning on a steady diet of lobster. We arrive mid-afternoon, so I need to find a hotel near the North End (I’m open to suggestions!). We’ll find a nice Italian restaurant and then leave the kids to the nightlife while we recover from traveling. Eldest son wants to walk the Freedom Trail again, so we’ll do that on Sunday, then drive to Rockport for a quick visit with my step-mother and some art gallery hopping and shopping. I am determined to make the 6/7 hour drive to Bar Harbor, ME and spend a couple of days exploring Acadia National Park. Then we’ll head back and spend Friday in Boston, flying out on Saturday afternoon. I am hoping for a peak leaf peeping season!

We plan to stop at lobster shacks as we drive north from Boston to Bar Harbor. I also hope to drive the McGrath Highway overpass near Somerville, MA to see the Sav-Mor Liquor sign, which uncorks quips like “Wine for Mothers Day - because you drove her to it.” Seems they took on McDonalds last year, making fun of their Egg McMuffin promotion, and McDonalds responded by promising Sav-Mor that it hadn’t “seen McMuffin yet.” Sav-Mor’s response? “Thanks, McDonalds, I always wanted an arch enemy.” Sav-Mor reignited the battle in October with a sign that assured Bostonians that “We sell pumpkin crap” (just about the time McDonalds was pitching pumpkin spice lattes). McDonald’s responded with “We prefer to call them pumpkin delicacies.” Boston seems to relish their witty signage (even DOT signs have been known to warn drivers to “Slow Down…it’s wicked congested right now”), so I hope to catch a few. I’ll let you know.

For now, I content myself with a drive to Bok Tower this week. I’m going to do an article on the place for the March/April edition and I need to verify some things, so we’re taking a day trip. It’ll be nice to get away!

I believe I promised to post an article that I wrote for the November/December edition, so here it is:

Running Away to Palm Island Resort

A String of Pearls in the Gulf

Looking to slip away for a few days on the Gulf coast? If you seek a quieter beach getaway and don’t need too many amenities, a Palm Island Resort vacation might be exactly to your liking. Except for a mixture of homes, rentals, resort, and State Park, there’s very little development. You won’t find a grocery store, gas station or bank here. There is no post office. School is on the mainland. There are no high-rises or hotels. In fact, except for a small convenience store, gift shop, café, and restaurant on the resort property, there is no business infrastructure. Instead, you’ll find pristine beaches and nature walks and a slower pace of life.

Located off the coast of Cape Haze, less than ten miles south of Englewood, Florida, Palm “Island” is actually four separate barrier islands strung together like pearls on the ocean. Once separated by small inlets, northernmost is Thornton Key, with no beach and a mass of mangroves tangling its interior. Thornton Key is a designated nature preserve and is sparsely populated. Next to it is “Knight Island”, more commonly referred to and better known as “Palm Island”, a nod to Palm Island Resort, which sits on the north end on Stump Pass. Adjacent to it and directly south of Palm Island is Don Pedro Island, an enclave of private homes and vacation rentals, as well as Don Pedro Island State Park (boat access only). The island furthest south is Little Gasparilla Island, a boat-access-only site, and, except for the beach, which is a popular weekend destination for recreational boaters, is residents-only.

Getting There: Crossing the Water

There is no bridge to Palm Island Resort. Dismantled in the early 1960s to allow for dredging, it was never replaced, slowing development. Resort guests park free on the mainland and transfer over by the Palm Island Transit ferry, available 7 days a week, 6:30 AM to 10 PM (weeknights), 11 PM (Friday) and midnight (Saturday only). The service is continuous throughout the day and the crossing itself takes about three minutes. Ferry service for resort guests is included in the reservation, so there is no need to factor in the additional expense.

Palm Island Resort, an All-Inclusive Getaway with Something for Everyone

Opened in 1983, Palm Island Resort is a unique getaway destination located off Florida’s southwest coast between Fort Myers and Sarasota. All rentals are stocked with linens and cookware and most provide some recreational equipment, such as badminton sets, Frisbees, etc. Supplies must be carried in, so plan carefully, since additional ferry rides are not cheap.

For those seeking privacy, we recommend Palm Island Resort Village 1, Unit #18. It is a fully furnished duplex “cottage” on the edge of the property, offering three bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen and laundry directly on the beach. Bayside homesites are available, as well. For those who prefer less spacious accommodations, one and two bedroom villa units are available, as well.

Pristine Beaches to Refresh the Soul

Unusual for busy southwest Florida, the beaches are surprisingly empty, largely because Palm Island is semi-private, accessible only by boat, and the beaches lack lifeguards, as well.

Visitors immerse themselves in nature and are protective of the fragile natural environment. Searches for shark’s teeth and shelling are popular activities for residents and tourists alike. New hunting grounds wash up with every wave and the shelling is especially good following storms.

Non-human visitors, such as the sea turtle—five of the world’s seven species, in fact—need the Florida beaches for reproductive survival. Fiddler crabs scurry in and out of holes in the sand and migratory birds make their nests in the marshy inlands. Gopher turtles, a protected species, are free to cross the sandy road without concern of speeding cars.

Palm Island Resort Amenities

In addition to two miles of pristine white sand beach, the Palm Island Resort offers several swimming pools, eleven tennis courts, and a fitness center. Deep sea fishing packages can be arranged for you on island. Several nearby golf courses are available to those so inclined, and if you’re interested in eco-tourism, there are miles of nature walks.

For those interested in destination weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats or small business conferences, the Palm Island Resort clubhouse can accommodate up to 120 guests and larger events (up to 450 people) can be held in a tented facility. Planning, decorating, and catering are seen to by an attentive staff attuned to attention to the smallest detail.

Other amenities include a small shop for souvenirs and sundries and rentals for everything from golf carts to snorkeling gear. You can eat the food you bring in to prepare in your unit’s kitchen, or dine at the resort restaurant, which features island drinks and a menu that is heavily slanted to seafood. There is also a coffee café as an additional light dining option.

Whether you eat in your unit or let the restaurant do the work, an evening stroll to watch the sunset is a must-do. Sink your toes in the silky sand and soak up the final rays of the day as warm Gulf breezes tickle your skin and the cares of the world slip away.

Affording a Life on Palm Island

Sooner, rather than later, feet planted firmly in sugar sand made up of 99% quartz, thoughts begin to cross one’s mind (usually while watching the sun sink into the Gulf at day’s end): I wonder if I could afford to live here?

The answer, of course, is “that depends”. Resort properties have a separate “Planned Development” zoning. Resort units range from around $200,000 on up, depending on size and location. Additionally, all island mortgages require flood insurance, an expense that should be factored into all calculations.

Whether you purchase or just rent for a week, Palm Island Resort is a perfect family vacation spot. Expect an unhurried pace, plenty of entertainment, and, yes, even a little family harmony as the kids AND the grandkids clamor, “Please, (Grand)Mom and (Grand)Dad, take us back to Palm Island Resort!”

Helpful Connections

Palm Island Resort Reservation Information: Cape Haze, FL 800-824-5412 http://www.palmisland.com/accommodations

Don Pedro Island State Park: 8450 Placida Road, Cape Haze, FL 33946
(941) 964-0375 https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Don-Pedro-Island