We were happy to have a night together. We planned a special dinner with fancy appetizers and sparkling cider to sip. A girls night new years eve. I'm sure my mom had no intentions of lasting until midnight, however i was giddy to see the clock strike twelve. Our biggest plan for the night was to watch the Anne of Green Gables movie. Mom (or Grandma) had taped it when it aired on TV, so we could watch it.
Growing up, i typically disliked reading. I could get into some books, but would much rather spend my time deep into imaginative play. This was a hard reality for my mother to face, being a children's librarian. She would bring home every book possible, hoping to strike my interest. I would try, give it my best effort and attention, but usually found the book heading back to the library with only a few chapters read. The only chapter books i took interest in were some Judy Blume and the Little House series (most of which mom read to me). Ultimately, my mom became grateful to learn that some of her favorite classics had become televised.
Upon starting the first movie, i quickly became intrigued and enamored with the time period and imagination of Anne. Luckily the sequel was taped too, so mom and i watched 3+ hours of Anne that night. As the clock struck midnight, my dad walked through the door, surely surprised that we weren't passed out on the couch.
As the years passed, i found great comfort and joy in watching the series over and over. I also found Little Women, Dr. Quinn and Little House. Although i hate to admit to never reading Anne, i found just as much joy and connection through the movies. Mom and i always said we would take a mother daughter trip to Prince Edward Island to find Anne and the magic of Green Gables. Years passed, i got married and we began talking about a trip again, without ever pinning down a date. Over the next three years, I was hoping for a baby, my thyroid attacked, i took a year to recover and balance out my hormones and then we got the green light to get pregnant and experienced a miscarriage. After that, I needed to focus on other areas about myself and decided that i couldn't stall my life around the possibility of a baby, so we went ahead and planned the trip for September of 2015, it was time to visit and relive our childhood.
Fast forward a few months (much to our surprise and joy), we were lucky enough to have a little traveler joining us at just 10 months old.
This trip wasn't far or costly. It wasn't extravagant or even a flight away. But when we pulled out of the driveway at 3 am, with a sleeping baby, full gas tank and empty camera card, i felt as if one of our greatest adventures was beginning. Just mom, Liam and I.
The journey took us up through Maine, taking Route 9 out of Bangor towards the Canadian boarder. Bangor to the Boarder consisted of forest, moose crossing signs, townships and blueberry fields. There was one truck stop diner that we called our first stop to grab a bite and stretch our legs. The waitress's were enamored with Liam's travel chair i brought. When i mentioned buying it on Amazon, they looked at me a bewildered. Mom was hungry and ordered the Hearty Maine breakfast, most likely meant for the hunters of the area. Liam was vocal and excited to be out of the car seat. I couldn't wait to get back in the car and away from that truck stop. It gave me the willy's.
Yes, sir, absolutely.
Onward, we headed north as our cell phones went into roaming mode and the highways became incredibly well kept. Liam slept some more. Mom slept some more.
We drove until Liam became restless again (about 3 hours later!!) and pulled off highway 1 to the town of Petitcocdiac, New Brunswick. We found a park (for Liam to crawl), a bakery and a pizza shop. We grabbed some cookies, a salad and some fries to go along with the lunch assortment we brought and camped out in the park. We felt like heroes for making it this far without a screaming baby. It was a sunny, beautiful day and we were only about two hours away from our hotel on PEI!
As mom was my faithful navigator from the backseat, we became giddy when we saw the eight mile Confederation bridge in sight. The bridge leading to the Island. At last! It was just nearing four in the afternoon and we finally realized we were in a different time zone.
As soon as our car hit land, we were both overcome with the beauty and openness of the island. There was a small tourist type town at the entrance of the island, but as soon as we drove out of that area, we were imminently surrounded by farmland. For miles and miles.
About 45 minutes from the bridge, we came into the outskirts of Charlottetown, where our hotel was. When we were first planning our trip, we looked at inns, b&b's and the like. Then we remembered we had a ten month old with us, so a sound proof room, fridge and convenience took priority. It's location turned out to be perfect.
We checked into the hotel and quickly went back out to look for a quick dinner option, takeout so we could go back to our room. We found BOOMburger a mile from our hotel. Oh lordy. I'm still drooling over these burgers and fries. All local island beef, PEI potatoes and local creamery cheeses and butters. Mom and i ordered a few burgers with all the toppings, some fries and a hot dog for Liam. We were delighted tourists to find some raspberry cordial at checkout. Of course we grabbed a bottle of sugary goodness.
We made it, finally tucked into our hotel, with full bellies ready for the upcoming adventures of Prince Edward Island.
Tomorrow, we'd find Anne.
greatly anticipating part 2 , i loved anne of green gables as a child and the scenery was breathtaking . The raspberry cordial looked divine.
ReplyDelete