The Palmetto Hideaway

Escape to Key West with this story for sleep, "The Palmetto Hideaway." Relax at a historic guesthouse where the whispers of the palms bring a deep sense of peace in a tropical paradise. Encounter a bale of sea turtles as you swim in turquoise water at a secluded beach and connect with nature. Enjoy an evening on the lanai beneath a canvas of stars as the palms continue to soothe with their sleepy song. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Whispers of the Palmettos help you unwind and get sleepy with tonight's cozy bedtime story for grown-ups.

You are listening to The Palmetto Hideaway,

A soothing sleep story set in a charming historic guest house in the Florida Keys.

The perfect day begins on a lanai,

Surrounded by fuchsia bougainvillea in the pure white gold rays of the sunshine state.

A leisurely bike ride brings you to a secluded beach where you swim among sea turtles,

Keeping your distance as they drift on the tide.

At sunset you return to the guest house to enjoy a fresh coconut and a grilled meal,

Taking a dip in the pool beneath the moonlight.

You fall asleep in the secluded bungalow,

Beneath the palmettos and stars,

As the gentle breeze kisses your face,

Promising a night of restorative peace.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle.

My voice may lead you to imaginative and blissful escapes.

Forgive me as a supportive friend and fellow dreamer who shows up each night to help you craft the most idyllic getaways as you set the tone for your dreams to come.

This is your journey,

And you may modify any detail as we proceed to meet your ever-changing needs.

Let our time together remind you that you are in charge of the thoughts you prioritize.

You choose what imagery to explore or abandon to get the most out of this experience.

So wield your power with an intention for self-care.

May the story help you gently slip into the realm of slumber,

Where softness and restoration await as you settle into the sanctuary of your room.

Take note of your breath and let out a deep sigh.

Make a sound,

Luxuriate in this moment dedicated to you.

When you inhale,

The air takes on the sweet floral notes of camellia that offer a hint of jasmine and rose.

The air becomes humid and warm as a soft breeze brings the promise of a Floridian escape and a taste of what may come.

Exhale in another sigh,

This time feeling the support of your bed.

As you make note of any tension in your body,

It releases with the promise of a mental holiday as the fibers of your muscles unknot and relax.

You may continue to inhale and sigh,

Twice more at your own pace,

Perhaps adding a yawn or two if that makes you sleepier.

Sometimes even the mere mention of a yawn is enough to trigger one to appear.

As you focus on your breath,

Going deeper and expanding more each time,

You consider how easy it is to find release when the air is comfortable and the only thing on your agenda is to relax.

Let your mind fill with the first imagery conjured by thoughts of a tropical oasis.

Your needs become simple in such a hospitable climate and you are free to enjoy the attainable pleasures that nature provides.

When ready,

Return your breath to an easy rhythm and let my words bring you along to the Florida Keys.

It's time for the story to begin.

At the southern end of the Sunshine State lies a dreamer's paradise and artist's haven known as the Florida Keys.

This string of magical islands is adrift in the aquamarine embrace of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean,

Where the waters converge in the Straits of Florida.

Vibrant pastel-hued cottages and white houseboats offer getaways amidst swaying palm trees and an ever-present ocean breeze.

The Keys exude an irresistible charm,

Offering adventure and romance,

Inspiring writers through time like Hemingway and artists who dare to capture the lush palette of colors from sunrise to sunset.

French Coral Key,

From Key Largo to Key West,

Is brought together by a seven-mile bridge and 120 miles of the Overseas Highway,

A gray asphalt ribbon of road surrounded by pristine glittering turquoise water on both sides.

Your journey to the southernmost point in the continental United States is fresh in your mind as you begin a new morning at the Palmetto Hideaway,

A private teal guesthouse beneath the shade of swaying palms.

The quaint front of the white wraparound porch displays conch shells and dangling sea-glass pieces foraged by the owner,

Who resides in the main house.

Wind chimes made of sea shells and ivory starfish dangle around the white edge of the roof,

Creating a soft tinkling sound,

Joined by the songs of birds chirping around you.

Your music has a timbre similar to the steel drums played in nearby restaurants along the famous Duval Street.

You sit in a plush chair on the lanai,

Overlooking the pool and abundant fuchsia bougainvillea that drapes down white trellises throughout the backyard.

Bright pink camellia flowers and jasmine grow in terracotta planters,

Filling the air with their sweet,

Fragrant notes.

As you sip on your favorite morning drink,

You notice the reflections of palms and the blue sky on the glass table.

Glass tabletops are common throughout Florida,

Reflecting the surrounding natural beauty and doubling it on every glossy surface.

Ripples form on the in-ground pool as the breeze carries a whiff of the sea.

The air is tepid,

With the faint promise of hotter temperatures to come as the white gold sun rises higher in the cloudless sky.

You settle in the relief of having no agenda,

Simply letting the morning play out by your whims and desires in each moment.

You close your eyes and inhale deeply,

Stretching your arms overhead toward the dancing palms.

You discover your muscles are more flexible in this climate.

Your hands and arms reach higher toward the sky than they have in a long time,

Satiated from a breakfast provided hours ago by Scoots,

The proprietor.

You feel a wave of contentment wash over you as goosebumps form on your skin from the soft breeze.

For fifty years,

Scoots has lived in the Keys,

Welcoming people from around the world to his cozy abode.

His nickname came from the locals,

As he scooted around as a young tyke when the Keys were quieter.

And even now may be found on his Vespa scooter,

Weaving around Key West.

There's something charming about his energy,

Still playful and childlike,

And fully committed to sharing the beautiful things in his life and in the Keys.

Short in stature,

His skin is bronze and freckled from the Florida sun,

And he wears a loose white cabana shirt and pink flamingo shorts as bright as the flowers in his garden.

His straw flip-flops slap against his feet with each step and shuffle.

He delivers a canvas bag of assortments for lunch,

And gestures to a bicycle that leans against a white fence by the pool,

Available for use whenever you wish to head out.

He clears your morning dishes,

And when you offer to help,

He grins and insists that you are here to relax.

Tucked within the bag are some cold drinks and your favorite lunch items,

Carefully wrapped in reusable ice packs,

Along with a blanket and towel.

It makes you smile to see the care put into the package.

You pull out an artistic hand-drawn map,

With notes from Scoots about a secluded beach and his best recommendations for sunset viewings.

You rise to place the bag in the wicker basket of the sea-foam green vintage bicycle.

You walk the bike down a stone path through the garden in the back of the house,

Cast in the shade of coconut palm trees,

Abundant with clusters of virgin green coconuts.

A mango tree showcases small ruby pink-hued mangoes a few weeks away from being pickable,

While avocados hang from another tree like green bells.

Your nose is enchanted by the varying smells of fruit and sweet earth that permeate the air to create an olfactory elixir,

Specific and unique to the Keys this time of day and year.

To savor it,

Grateful for the constant arrival of eye and nose-pleasing offerings of Key West.

You open the gate onto a sleepy side street,

Where an older woman in a long,

Billowing salmon-pink dress walks her tiny white fluffball of a dog on the grassy median and greets you with a friendly smile and wave.

As you pedal the vintage bicycle through the quiet outer streets of Key West,

The sun envelops you in a warm embrace,

Casting a golden glow upon the vibrant surroundings.

Memories of childhood dreams and fantasies about tropical adventures flood your mind.

And now amidst the colorful,

Historic cottages and swaying homes,

Those distant visions come to life.

The gentle whirr of the wheels against the pavement accompanies a sense of freedom and exploration,

The same sense you may have felt once mastering a bike without training wheels.

The salty breeze carries the promise of discoveries ahead,

Its fragrance becoming stronger as you pedal closer to the ocean.

Your lightweight linen clothes billow in the gentle winds as the air makes its way through the breathable fabric and cools your skin as you navigate the winding,

Sandy path leading to a secluded beach.

Anticipation builds within you.

The rhythmic sound of the waves grows louder with each passing moment,

Heightening the excitement pulsing through your veins.

Finally,

As you emerge from the shade of the palm trees,

The breathtaking sight of the cerulean waters stretches out before you,

Shimmering in the early afternoon light.

It's as if time stands still in this idyllic oasis,

A place untouched by the chaos of the outside world,

Carrying with it the long-ago memories of what the quays were like before popularity loomed.

Dismounting the bicycle,

You feel a sense of ecstatic joy,

Mingled with a deep-rooted tranquility.

The sand crunches beneath your sandals as you make your way to the water's edge,

The coolness of the sea beckoning you closer.

With each step,

You feel a connection to the natural world around you,

A sense of harmony that fills you with a profound sense of gratitude.

It's hard to conceive that this magical place exists and does its own thing,

All the while you are caught up in the routines and mundanities of your life,

Sometimes forgetting about the majestic seascapes like this.

You scout the perfect towering palm tree to settle beneath,

Positioning the lightweight blanket in the shade that will stay consistently shaded as the sun moves throughout the day.

You take a moment to breathe in the salty air,

Allowing yourself to fully immerse in the beauty of the endless lapping waves and the sailboats and yachts far off the coast,

Appearing like tiny white dots along the horizon.

You unpack the light meal of healthy indulgences from the bag and sip on a cold drink,

Amazed at how quickly thirst arrives when biking through the salty air.

As you savor your lunch,

You notice the curious pelicans and seagulls along the shore,

Their playful antics and vocal interactions bring a smile to your face.

The afternoon heat begins to intensify and you welcome the warmth as bands of sunlight break through the palm fronds and envelop your arms and legs.

With a renewed sense of energy,

You decide to take a dip in the inviting blue waters,

Eager for their gentle waves and the underground world.

You wade with ease as your feet land on the layer of soft seagrass and coarse sand,

And then dive into the lukewarm turquoise depths.

Fully immersed in this serene place in the Florida Straits,

You feel at one with nature in its purest form.

Amidst the turquoise waves and endless sky,

You encounter the best of paradise.

As you glide through the crystal clear water,

A sense of wonder washes over you when you realize the things you perceived to be rocks are a bale of sea turtles gracefully navigating the underwater realm.

With a respectful distance,

You watch in awe as they surrender to the gentle ebb and flow of the tide.

Their movements fluid and unhurried,

Their ancient wisdom emanates from their very presence and their stoic response to an ever-changing tide.

These wonderful creatures simply adapt.

You continue to swim through the crystal blue water,

Admiring the vibrant coral reefs below,

Where colorful fish dart and weave,

Creating a mesmerizing dance beneath your swift legs.

Such flicker of movement adds to an underwater world that teems beneath the surface,

A reminder of the intricate ecosystem that thrives in these crystalline waters.

As you rise to the surface,

The hot sun reflects off your wet skin,

Casting a shower of glittering gold upon the rippling turquoise waves.

You float on your back,

Emulating the sea turtles as you allow the gentle currents to carry you,

Not aiming to control or manipulate your movement.

The rhythmic waves lull you into a state of bone-deep peace,

And you watch as feathery clouds slowly move in across the bright blue sky.

Your chest rises and falls as you breathe deeply,

Feeling once more a profound connection to the natural world around you,

As the rhythm of your breath mimics the ebb and flow of the sea.

As you gaze up at the vast expanse of sky overhead,

You can't help but marvel at the beauty of the world beneath the surface.

Just below you is an underwater world of thriving beings who may go their entire lives without ever seeing the sky and land in the way you do.

Time seems to slow down as you continue to float toward the beach,

Letting the waves bring you in.

You realize that this moment will stay with you forever,

A reminder that you are capable of being calm,

At peace,

And completely in tune with the present moment.

Once again in shallow water,

You carefully stand and return to the shade of the towering palm tree.

The warm air feels cool on your wet skin,

And you begin to yawn,

Inviting the opportunity for a brief nap on the beach.

As you settle on the blanket,

Using the towel as a pillow,

You drift into slumber.

The sounds of rustling palm fronds and gentle waves serve as a soothing lullaby,

Guiding you into a state of lucid dreaming.

You partake in a dance between consciousness and sleep,

Wafting in and out of each world at your leisure.

And whenever you desire,

In this light,

Delicious slumber,

You welcome the ethereal feelings that come,

So free you could float on the tropical breeze to anywhere your dreams wish to go.

You lose track of time in this nap that could be hours long or merely minutes,

But when you finally stir back to consciousness,

You feel refreshed.

The air becomes cooler against your skin,

And you are greeted by the breathtaking sight of a magnificent sunset painting the sky with hues of gold,

Cotton candy pink,

And light purple.

As you gaze out at the horizon,

You watch in awe as the colors dance and shift,

Transforming the tranquil blues of the sea into a magical kaleidoscope of molten pinks,

Oranges,

And purples.

Fluffy incoming clouds mirror the fiery brilliance of sunset in Key West as well,

Taking on rich hues of crimson,

Coral,

And magenta.

Each wave carries saturated ribbons of color that blend like oil paint across a canvas.

Your gratitude runs deep,

And your desire for this moment to last forever runs even deeper.

In this fleeting moment of golden hour,

You are reminded of the preciousness of life and the importance of savoring each day.

As the sun dips below the horizon,

Casting a warm glow upon the tranquil water,

Your voice joins the chorus of seagulls and susurrating palms as you whisper,

Thank you.

You bask in the afterglow of the sunset.

So grateful out of all the sunsets you may have missed,

This one you did not.

You gather your things and prepare to leave.

And as you pedal your bike back to the palmetto hideaway,

The sky changes once more into a canvas of nocturnal blues,

Streaked with shades of indigo and violet.

The return trip seems shorter with the wind on your back and its familiarity.

You return to the back gate and open it to discover glowing lanterns strung across the awnings and trees to illuminate the garden and backyard in rich amber light.

An artistic streetlamp near the lanai catches your eye with its three glass beacons in the shape of pineapples,

Adding a touch of whimsy to the scene.

The smell of charcoal fills the air as Scoots prepares dinner amidst the fun ambiance of bossa nova music playing throughout the patio.

With practiced ease,

He climbs a ladder to free a green coconut from a nearby tree.

He notices your arrival as you park the bike beneath an awning and waves you to come watch him expertly create two holes in the coconut with a clean screwdriver and hammer.

He then hands you the fruit to pour the fresh coconut water over crushed ice in yellow and green crystal glasses that are also shaped like pineapples.

The water makes a funny and slightly inappropriate sound as it trickles and you both laugh,

Amazed that there is more than enough water to fill both glasses.

Once done,

You raise your refreshing treats in a toast to the beauty of the night and the quays.

As you enjoy the savory meal,

Offering vegetables from Scoots' garden and enhanced by tropical juices and herbs,

Scoots regales you with stories about the legendary Hemingway cats that roam the nearby museum dedicated to the famed writer.

He mentions the unique polydactyl trait of nearly half of the fifty cats on the property.

As if being beckoned,

His own six-toed calico descendant Catherine,

Whom he named after a Hemingway character,

Gracefully appears and rubs her body against the mermaid-tail-inspired metal legs of the table.

You reach down and pet her,

Feeling a euphoria brought on by the satisfying meal,

The gentle night air,

And the small changes you feel happening within,

Showing that even a day away is enough to renew your vitality and happiness.

After dinner,

Scoots is one to retire early.

Together you clean up and bid each other goodnight.

Still in your swimsuit,

You are drawn to the moonlit pool,

Awash in the colorful rainbow lights of mason jar-shaped lanterns strung about it.

As you dive in,

The warm water envelops you,

Soothing your muscles and revitalizing your senses.

How amazing it feels to swim twice in one day,

All of your joints become soft,

Yielding to the feeling of weightlessness the water brings.

In the distance,

You hear the chirping of crickets,

The songs of tree frogs,

And the swooshing palm fronds.

Under the rising sliver of a new moon,

As faint as the tip of a fingernail,

You swim laps with the last reserve of energy,

Feeling the lingering warmth of the sun's radiation in your skin and muscles,

A reminder of the day's adventures beneath the tropical sky.

You hoist yourself out of the pool and gather a towel from a cedar trunk beneath the palmettos.

As you dry off,

You follow a narrow winding path of colorful marbles embedded in a concrete walkway to an outdoor shower.

Beneath the rain showerhead and velvety expanse of sky beyond the silhouette of palms,

You wash away the remnants of salt and chlorine from your skin.

The coconut key lime soap creates a lush white lather,

Filling the rising steam clouds with its aroma.

Your body feels relaxed but heavy as a wave of tiredness takes over.

You towel off once more and follow a private walk to the back of the guesthouse,

Ascending the wooden steps to the white wraparound porch.

You enter the quaint living room of the bungalow,

Where rustic wood accents create a cozy atmosphere.

Black and white photos of bustling Key West in the 1950s line the walls,

Transporting you back to a time when ferries regularly ran between the ports of Key West and Cuba.

Exposed white wooden beams crisscross the lofty space,

Supporting dangling macrame planters filled with lush ferns and spider plants.

Soft twinkling lights illuminate the living room and kitchen,

Wrapped loosely around the beams.

Antique tiki lamps and colorful glass hurricane lamps cast the bungalow in orange,

Scarlet,

Green and blue light.

You walk into the bedroom as a gentle breeze drifts through the screen windows,

Carrying the floral perfume of night.

The ceiling fan in the cathedral ceiling gently stirs the cool night air,

Creating the perfect environment for a restful sleep.

The room is adorned with a tropical motif,

With bold ocean paintings hanging on the walls,

And bedside lamps crafted from stained glass,

Shaped into delicate emerald palm fronds.

You change into summery pajamas,

And peel away the light blanket and crisp white cotton sheet,

Sinking into the plush mattress with a sigh of contentment and ease.

As you settle,

Reflections of the day dance in your mind,

Like reflections of palm trees and the glass table.

They cause you to wonder what you'll miss most about the quays.

The delicate smell of camellia flowers in the morning,

Their bright pink petals bursting with hope toward the brilliant sun,

The faint perfume of the sea that permeates the air that comes in so thick and humid at times,

That you feel its weight on your skin and with every move.

The vibrant oranges bursting with juice,

And the unassuming green coconuts that could make a glass overflow with their healing contents.

The careful selection of happy colors that wash the small historic bungalows in an array of turquoise,

Sky blue,

Salmon pink,

Mango,

And yellow.

These Floridian elements elevate your spirits,

But you realize it is the whispers of the palms that stay with you the most.

How they welcome you in the morning,

Softening the noise of the world with a persistent rustle as white gold sunlight filters through their fronds.

Elongating shadows that dance on the lanai as you take in the morning,

Feeling inspired to start a new day,

Yet longing to freeze time in the sun's gentle touch before the heat comes in fiercely.

But the palms continue to soothe as the afternoon heat intensifies,

The breeze offering reprieve,

The palms offering better shade than a yellow beach umbrella.

And when the sun lowers beyond the silhouette of the palms,

Casting them in rich orange gold light,

They continue their song,

Slowing down the tempo of your heart and mind as you welcome the promise of sleep.

Yes,

It is the palms cast against a starry night sky as a new moon rises,

The faint soft pink-tinged sliver as narrow as a single frond,

As their soundtrack pursues and assists in ushering you to sleep.

Mother Nature's nurturing touch finds the greatest power in the sussurations of the palms,

And you receive the greatest gift,

A deep sense of peace,

Grounded in the beauty of this tropical oasis of lush greens and blues with vibrant pinks that pop in even the darkest nocturnal light.

The persistent whispers of the palms outside the palmetto hideaway deliver you to the brink of sleep,

And with one final sigh,

You allow yourself to drift into its comforting embrace with the grace of a sea turtle riding the surf,

Letting go,

Finding serenity,

Finding peace,

Finding comfort,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away,

Goodnight.

Reviews

I absolutely loved this! So peaceful! Michele’s soothing voice wraps the relaxing visions of the Florida Keys around you like a soft, familiar blanket. One of my favorites from this extremely gifted writer & storyteller!

Thank you, Michelle🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻For the last couple of nights, I have been listening to this story throughout the night, only realizing now, after suddenly hearing the full story in the ealy morning hours, how little I had captured in the previous nights, of the wonderful descriptions of life in Key West: the colors of the houses, and of the sky and water at different times in the day/ night, the turtles, the spices, and tastes, ans smells, the rustling sounds: what a feast for the senses…
As always, your way with words makes it come alive in such a way that I want to go there to experience it for myself. What a delight! Thank you🙏🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏🏻

I have never been to Keywest, but now I want to go. Thank you for another beautiful & vivid sleep story.

What a lovely story of Key West! Wishing I was there, as is is quite chilly here, as soaking in the warm waters of Florida would be ideal. Your beautiful description of this getaway and the sound of your soothing tone put me to sleep! Thank you kindly Michelle for this beautiful get getaway bedtime story! 🤗 🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏