I’m a little closer to understanding why folks like to escape to Florida during the winter months. It’s warm, feels like spring in January . . . and you’re bound to meet someone who knows you through their uncle’s first wife’s second cousin!
Seriously. If you’ve never visited Pinecraft, you won’t regret the experience should you choose to do so. There is only one word I could come up with that describes Pinecraft: unique.
Let me describe it for you. It is a small neighborhood of crackerbox houses jammed tightly together with palm trees between them, waving in the balmy Florida breeze. Walking down the street, you will have to say “hi” to every Amish person you meet – those on the 3-wheeled bicycles, the little boy pulling his sister in his bike, and even the Amish man talking on his cellphone! *yeah, you read that right*
Sitting on your porch is an open invitation for anyone and everyone to come up and find out if you know their brother’s first wife’s nephew. Oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits are glorious additions to your daily diet. Going to the beach with the warm sunshine on your back, the crashing of the waves, and the sand between your toes will relax you and put you to sleep.
The first major event of your day will be eating breakfast at the Der Dutchman (not pictured here), where you won’t even be able to reach your table without running into someone you know, or who knows you – or one of your aunts, uncles, cousins . . . or perhaps even your barber.
The second major event will be hightailing it down to the Pinecraft Park to either watch the shuffleboard games going on or risk humiliating yourself, and actually join in!
If you’re not of the shuffleboard mood that day, there is always checkers. Dad likes checkers – I’m too scared to play him!
And you must like people. If you don’t like people, stay away! Florida is filled with people this time of year – and I can’t say as I blame them. We had so much fun, just Lowell and I – and of course, Mr. Fat Squis . . . . oops, Baby Dallas!
We were privileged to be there for the Haiti Benefit Auction in Sarasota, and enjoyed it tremendously! I was amazed at how huge it all was and how much work obviously went into it. I don’t think I’ll be complaining about my little committee jobs for a while!
We had a palm tree like this in our yard where I grew up in California. It was my “attempt-at-tomboyishness” tree! 🙂 Yep. After reading several books where the heroine was a tomboy and climbed trees, I decided it must be cool to climb trees.
Unfortunately, I picked the wrong kind of tree. Climbing up the trunk of that tree is not the easiest, nor painless thing to do . . . as I soon figured out.
That was a defining moment for me. I’d remain prissy if it was going to cause me pain!
Lowell took me out for a wonderful meal, eaten outside in the fresh air, and with scrumptious food!
It was such a blessing to meet some of you readers down there in Florida! So fun to know there are faces, lives, and hearts behind those who visit us at the Shoe. You are flesh and blood just like us – you laugh, you cry, you squeal when someone pinches you too!
Our last evening there, we sat on the beach and watched the sun go down. Sand between our toes . . . heart-to-heart talks . . . the beauty of the thundering waves.
God is good. Life is good.
And I’m pretty sure I have the best husband ever.
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Carolyn Miller says
How wonderful to get away for a bit!! Looks so refreshing!
Shannon says
Aww it sounds lovely. Our kids love to go over spring break but I’m not sure if we’ll make it down this year or not.
Karen Wray says
Really jeolous, would love to go to Florida one of these times!
Betsy says
Your trip sounds just wonderful. I’ve never been to Florida and living way up in Washington state I’m not sure I’ll ever make it there. Only one thing I would have to differ with you about…I’m pretty sure I have the best husband around. :-).
Blessings,
Betsy
http://betsythesimplelifeofaqueen.blogspot.com
Kendra says
Somebody had BETTER disagree with me on that!! 🙂
Monica Yoder says
Looks lovely and relaxing!! We’re planning to spend some time there in March with some friends..Ken and Rebecca Byler…who I know that you know. 🙂
Kendra says
I didn’t know they plan to visit Florida!! Is that before or after they come home? 😉 We miss them. Have fun – Florida is fun!
Marilyn Schlabach says
An excellent overview of Pinecraft, Kendra!! 🙂
Barbara Hershberger says
Loved it Kendra!
Kendra Graber says
Was so good to see you again, Barbara!!
Sandra Miller says
I laughed! and laughed – the Mennonite game is funny – you better get used to it! lol
Kendra says
I am trying to get used to it! I know some people who would have way more fun than I even did – simply because they know alot more folks than I do.
Esther E Graber says
Glad we got to see u! Ur post was great and so true on 😉
Kendra Graber says
Thanks! It was fun to see your sweet family too, Esther.
Tina Beck says
We experienced this same area last winter when we spent time with my folks. Their RV was just across from the bathrooms at pinecraft and that is where we stayed in a tent for a week. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay also. I have numerous identical pictures that you have pictured here. We also savored several meals at the Der Dutchman. My children are still talking about how their doughnuts were so tasty.
Kendra says
Are you talking about the bathrooms at the park? I’m trying to picture where you were.
We ate breakfast at the Der Dutchman and feasted on their breakfast buffet. So delicious!! I just couldn’t get over how many people you could find that knew you, or one of your relatives – crazy place! 🙂
Pat Helmuth says
Glad to see you in Pinecraft. Enjoyed your post and pictures very much. We have enjoyed our week here very much.
Kendra says
It was so good to see you, too, Pat!!
Susan Kelley says
Sarasota/Pinecraft is where I am going to retire!! Nice to meet you!! ☺️
Ivan N Marilyn Yoder says
….Ivan…. For sure it was special to be able to spend time again with you, an extra perk we were not expecting when plans were made to come to Fla.
Kendra Graber says
It was fun to see you all too! Wish we could see Jeremy’s and Reagan’s again too.
Living In The Shoe says
Susan, it was very special to meet you! Finding someone more from my past, instead of Lowell’s, is always a treat. 🙂 Sometimes I feel like a Brethren girl in a Mennonite world!
David and Bonnie Rice says
So fun to see your pictures, Your family is so precious. My question: How is it possible to have so many, “Best Husbands”? Because I’m sure I do!!! 🙂 Now I know you do and have hints that others do, just wondering. . . . Blessings to you all.
Kendra says
Good question!!! 😉 God has given us some great men, and we need to do all we can to encourage them. Would love to see you all again – it’s been a long time!
Dave-Gina Stutzman says
I’m so glad I got to meet you! Yes it’s nice to know we’re all “human” regardless where we live! 🙂 It’s also so neat to see Florida through the lens of others who live far away 🙂
Living In The Shoe says
And I enjoyed meeting you, too, Gina! Wish we could have spent more time getting to know some of you folks we met – maybe some day we can. 🙂
Marylou says
How fun! We were down last March and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course by then, Pinecraft was nearly empty. We watched several full buses leave.
Kendra says
It sure was busy while we were there! I think the Haiti sale brought quite a few extras in – like us.