"An island sheltered by islands" is the name given to Shelter Island by the Manhanset Indians. The name holds true today in this peaceful, protected, and bountiful paradise. Nearly a third of the island's 8,000 acres is owned by the Nature Conservancy and preserved in its pristine state. Miles of nature and bird-watching trails include a barrier-free Braille trail. All three deep-water harbors offer a marina and welcome arrivals by boat. Car ferries are available from Greenport on the North Fork or North Haven on the South Fork. Inns and hotels combine with shops and services across the island, interspersed with vacation and permanent homes. Quietude and a gentle pace bring visitors back again and again to a place that reflects a time that seems to be forever lost in modern existence.