September with Anne on PEI {Part 2}

Yes, it's very true that Anne is a fictional character.  Yet, my mom and I, being giddy with excitement, decided that we would imagine her real during our trip.  As we began to explore the island and learn about LM Montgomery, the brilliant author, we found that maybe she was Anne herself.  Her imagination and life, portrayed through novels full of life and adventure.

We begin our second day at the village of Avonlea.  This little tourist town was built to be explored by foot, which made it much more enjoyable.  Although it was mostly restaurants and shops, we found it very sweet.  We both decided to wear cute sundresses to site see on this day.  As soon as we stepped out of the car, the wind took control.  We spent the whole day laughing at all the peep shows everyone was getting. (#winning)  We also quickly realized that we were visiting at the end of the island's peak tourist season, so that was super nice!

Lunch was at a baked potato restaurant, because we were in the potato capital of the world, obviously.  (ok, ok not really, but it felt like it!)

Holy, delicious - pulled pork baked potato.  We could have shared one!  Liam enjoyed a grilled cheese from the grilled cheese restaurant.  Seriously, i loved the food on this island.  It spoke my love language. 

After browsing the town, grabbing some souvenirs and meeting Anne (above), we followed the signs to Green Gables in Cavendish.

The landscape on the island is just phenomenal.  The ocean meets farmland at every turn.  The island is 2,184 square miles.  In 1901 there were 13,749 farms covering it, today only 1,495 farms remain.  However, that agricultural impact is significant.  1 in every 4 jobs is agricultural, which i was really astonished to see, compared to the united states where a mere 1% of jobs is in agriculture.  I'll get more into the red soil makeup of the island and what makes it so appealing to farmers later.

We arrived at Green Gables, watched a short film on the history of LM Montgomery, then were left to explore the grounds.

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"Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and i am glad to be alive in you." 

-Lucy Maud Montgomery  (all quotes below as well)

The Parlour:

The formal dining room:

Entrance Hall:

Matthew's room:

Marilla:  "She?"

Matthew:  "Don't worry, i don't think she'll bite."

Kitchen:

"I really am trying to overcome my faults, Marilla.  I chatter on far too much.  But if you only knew how many things i want to say and don't, you'd give me some credit."

Dairy Porch:

Pantry:

Anne's Room:

"It is ever, so much easier to be good, if one's clothes are fashionable."

Sewing Room:

Marilla's Room:

Anne:  "Don't you ever imagine things differently from what they are?"

Marillia:  "No."

Anne:  "Oh Marilla, how much you miss."

Hired Hands Room:

As we were walking and laughing through the haunted wood, we finally came to a clearing of fields.  We found out we were embarking on the site of Lucy Maud Montgomery's homestead.  Where she wrote most of her books.  She had a window, in her upstairs room, overlooking these fields which brought her imagination to life.

"You know something, Diana?  We are rich.  We have sixteen years to our credit, and we both have wonderful imaginations.  We should be as happy as queens."

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare....perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways."

"After all, i believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or exciting or wonderful happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."

{Part 3 coming}