September 5, 2024
In the Pines: A Community Like No Other
Tucked away, almost hidden from those who don’t know it exists, lies Pine Canyon—a place where life changes the moment you arrive. In the Pines isn’t just a phrase; it’s a feeling, a shift in atmosphere that wraps you in a sense of community the second you step onto the property. Here, life seems to slow down, and people walk with genuine smiles, as if they’ve discovered the secret to what really matters: family, friends, and a sense of belonging.
As you make your way north on Arizona’s well-worn I-17, with the sprawling desert behind you, something magical happens once you reach Flagstaff. You venture into the pines, and suddenly, the weight of the world is lifted away as if a coat check is taking it off your hands if only momentarily. Drive through the gates of Pine Canyon on a Friday evening, and you might stumble upon a scene right out of Caddyshack: adults dressed to the nines in 80s country club attire, laughter ringing through the air, embracing the joy of living in the present. (And yes a laughable amount of Baby Ruth candy bars and stuffed animal groundhogs.) And that’s just one of many moments that fill the summer here.
The people of Pine Canyon have seemingly made an unspoken pact. Upon moving here, you metaphorically sign an oath to leave behind the hustle and bustle, committing instead to one shared principle: live in the moment. It’s a place where neighbors become friends, and friends become family, all bound by the same goals—to enjoy life together, make memories that last, and always settle bets on the 19th hole.
Labor Day weekend might just be the pinnacle of these moments, a celebration that marks the end of another spectacular summer in true Pine Canyon style. Picture children racing between inflatable slides and castles, their imaginations running wild, and smiles that won’t be wiped away anytime soon. Families casting lines during the fishing derby, parents cheering alongside their kids at the fun run, and adults unashamedly reclaiming their childhood in a wiffle ball home run derby or a friendly cornhole (“Bags” for the Midwesterners) tournament.
Of course, no weekend would be complete without gathering on the greens for a round of golf, the game that brings people together for camaraderie and, sure, a slight sense of competition.
As the sun sets and evening approaches, the phrase “eat, drink, and be merry” takes on its truest meaning. The Pine Canyon clubhouse comes alive as members pour in, greeted with hugs. The clinking of glasses and laughter echoing through the halls at an unfamiliar level to most golf communities. But the night is far from over. In the typical spirit of this community, the energy shifts to the dance floor, where Piano Men: Generations light up the night with their melodies. The town of Flagstaff, Arizona, can hear the faint chants of “Saturday, Saturday, Saturday that’s alright!” venture out from the pines. The entire tent sways to the music, singing, laughing, dancing together, and taking on their own best Billy Joel and Elton John Impressions.
This is Pine Canyon, a place where life’s most important moments happen naturally, in a community that feels more like home than anywhere else. Here, in the Pines, we live for today, with the people that matter most.