After flying into Moncton, Canada, we took advantage of being able to cross the Northumberland Strait using the 8 mile Confederation Bridge, the longest in the world, to reach the Maritime Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). The remainder of the Provinces, including New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as well as northern Maine, were once a part of the New France colony known as Acadie (Acadia, of Acadia National Park fame).
As we reached the end of the bridge we observed the red clay soil of PEI’s cliffs – our first of many sightings. After a 45-minute drive through lush agricultural countryside we arrived in Charlottetown (population 40,500), the capital city of PEI and the birthplace of the Confederation of Canada. Our hotel, The Great George, is located in the Great George Street Historic District, a National Historic Site of Canada. The area is lined with houses and buildings in various architectural styles of a similar scale. All are set back on their lots with wide sidewalks for leisurely walks. Combined, The Great George and its surroundings creates a sense of quiet charm.
Located approximately 23 miles from Charlottetown, Green Gables is the rural setting for the Anne of Green Gables novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Green Gables is located in the Prince Edward Island National Park complex. After watching and having teared up through several episodes of Anne with an E on Netflix, Grand #2 and I were ready to visit this historic farm where a young, spirited, and unconventional orphaned girl came of age.
Lucy Maud Montgomery infused Anne of Green Gables with her own girlhood experiences and the rural life and traditions of PEI. To read or watch Anne of Green Gables is to not only fall in love with a young girl, Anne, but to learn about life in PEI during the late 1800s. The first book was published in 1908 and the character of Anne was hailed by Mark Twain as “the most lovable child in fiction.” Since its publication, the book has been adapted for film, stage, and television.
After purchasing our tickets we reverently proceeded to the wood frame, white painted shingle house with the now famous green shutters and gable ends. We had arrived! After making our way through the vestibule and downstairs rooms we ascend to the second floor to view Lucy’s/Anne’s room where we can imagine the young orphan who lived in her imagination, creating a world in which she belonged and was loved. The room is filled with lovely, muted colors overlooking the garden.
Following our tour we stopped for our photo in front of Green Gables to memorialize this unforgettable moment before traveling the distinctive coastline of PEI.
Mary Beth I have a passion for creating and experiencing unforgettable moments and sharing those with others. I hope that this story has helped you experience one of those moments.
