STORY AND PHOTOS BY BARBARA ANDERSON AND GINNY GEIGER
Garden Club of the Lakes
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—Those of you who know Ginny Geiger, even if only casually, know that she is never without something to say — well, almost never. Barbara Anderson witnessed something seen only by a few – Ginny being speechless.
You will be, too, if you ever get to ride by 7024 Crystal Lake Road, where this month’s yard of the month is located. Better yet, ride out on the lake to see what Barbara described as a tropical oasis. You really won’t believe you are in Keystone Heights.
Even if only casually, those who know the yard’s owner, Buck Burney, will agree that he is one of the most interesting people we have met in a long time.
Buck and Nan have traveled to so many places and done so many things that maybe someday they will write a book, but for now, we will share a bit about the Burney’s Tropical Oasis.
It is hard to miss this place with a lovely water fountain (you really must go by at night to see it all lit up) in the middle of a pond where Koi and bass are calmly swimming around. If you look closely, you will see three small waterfalls in the background.
Around the pond are various ferns and Sylvester Palm trees – all right up close to the road. Who would ever guess that 36 gallons of water are pumped through the system every hour?
Most all of the work in this beautiful place was done by Buck himself. He began hand-digging and building this awesome water display four years ago, which took him a year and a half.
But it doesn’t stop there! Buck drove us around to the backyard in his golf cart to see an amazing tropical island open up right there in his backyard. That is when Ginny was speechless! What is there to say when you are standing in the middle of a tropical island complete with a 20-foot Bird of Paradise, Sea Grapes, varying types of palm trees, Hawaiian Ti plant, huge rocks, a monster-sized piece of driftwood, beautiful sand, a boat ramp going out to a small island, and beautiful Crystal Lake as the backdrop. They call it the Palm Tree Paradise. Need we say more?
The description of this property is nothing compared to Buck and Nan’s reason for doing all of this work to have such a beautiful place.
“We wanted to create a resort atmosphere where people can come to find peace, relax, reduce stress, and focus on real-life issues,” Buck said.
The Burneys host several retreats, many for young people. The couple’s goal is to help guests “fuel their dreams” through life coaching. They do this not only using their beautiful property but also through the world of aviation.
The day we visited with Buck (Nan was at work), he was preparing to host over 100 young people from a few churches. He had four-wheelers lined up, jet skis gassed up, and volleyball nets set up for a most exciting weekend. The guests were going to stay at Camp Montgomery.
Buck, a retired fighter pilot, now works with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he can carry out the couple’s goal of life coaching through aviation. Nan is a high school volleyball and softball coach in Jacksonville, a perfect opportunity to work with young people in many meaningful ways.
This property is actually an Airbnb, which is booked mainly by the same people every year. We did not see any chance of just calling and scheduling a week at this “resort,” even though it would be a glorious experience. Buck and Nan live next door in a beautiful place as well.
Even though the pictures could never do it justice, we tried to give you a feel for the beauty of this paradise. You will just have to grab a boat or jet ski and see the “island” for yourself. Driving by on the road will be an experience, too. Don’t miss it!
If you want to learn more about the Garden Club of The Lakes or nominate yourself or anyone in the community for Yard of the Month, please contact Pat Lorenzo at (904)728-9460.
