Prince Edward Island: A Step into Island Life

Written and photographed by Katy Ryan.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I have always imagined retiring on the East Coast of the U.S. amongst quaint fishing villages and rocky beaches. The scent of salty air and seagulls has always been of interest to me. It reminds me of storybook settings and the picturesque town in Stephen King’s Haven. This summer, while visiting my boyfriend’s family abroad, I was surprised with an overnight trip to Canada’s famous Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) was the inspiration for L.M. Montgomery’s famed Anne of Green Gables series. The story revolves around a fiery redhead who was mistakenly adopted from an orphanage in Nova Scotia. The series, consisting of eight books, encapsulates the adventures and successes of Anne. I became enthralled with the story when I was in middle school and never imagined that I would visit Green Gables farm. Before I knew it, we had driven from Fredericton to PEI and were at a tourist information center, gazing at Confederate Bridge, which spans the Abegweit Passage. The bridge itself is massive and is actually the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world. The toll on the bridge is hefty – 45 Canadian dollars – but I think the price is worth it when the maintenance cost of the bridge is considered.

Our first stop was in a tiny city center near the bridge. We were able to have a pit stop and then window shop for Green Gables trinkets, island crafts, and afterwards eat some delicious Cows Creamery ice cream. From there, we made the drive to Charlottetown. The drive, though long, was beautiful. The landscape was breathtaking, with its rolling hills, deep-green grass, and white cottages dotted between them. The mud on PEI is authentic red mud that is iron-rich and great for growing the island’s famous potatoes. Potato stands on PEI can typically be seen along the roads. They are unmanned, and there is usually a small basket for the customer to leave money in.

Charlottetown itself is a small and cozy city. It is home to the University of Prince Edward Island, the Government House, and beautiful Victoria Park. Unfortunately, the weather was unusually hot for PEI when I arrived, and the heat prevented us from seeing everything. I was told that typically the weather, accompanied by a sea breeze, is usually cool and refreshing. That night, we were treated to a showing of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical at the Confederate Center of Arts. The musical has been performed since the 1960s and is considered the crown jewel of The Charlottetown Festival, a celebration of Canadian performing arts. In my opinion, the show was amazing! The entire cast was vivacious and engaging. At times, I felt overwhelmed with the emotions that the characters displayed. I would highly recommend the musical; tickets can be purchased in-person or online. The cost is typically around $30 (Canadian).

The next day, we traveled to the famed Green Gables site. The scenery from the road was just as breathtaking, as I was able to see the sea from my car window. The Green Gables property is set behind a visitor center that has a gallery displaying a timeline of L.M. Montgomery’s life and the inspirations for her book series. There are book covers from around the world, gift shops, and a miniature Lego Green Gables house. The home is tidy and reminiscent of the series. The rooms are set up to remind guests of certain occurrences in the book. For example, Anne’s room has the slate she broke, and the pantry is stocked with strawberry cordial. There is a path behind the house called Lover’s Lane that Montgomery would frequent when she was writing. The path is beautiful, with informative plaques and lookout decks. If you are ever on PEI, I highly recommend the Green Gables house, even if you are not a true fan. It is a step back into a life that once was.

I highly enjoyed my experience on PEI. I wish that I had been able to stay longer and do more. Hopefully, one day I will visit again. I will always treasure my memories and experiences there. It is truly a beautiful place with friendly people. If it were not for the amount of snow in Canada, I would consider relocating to PEI! I want to encourage readers to research a vacation to the island. It would be something you would never forget!

The Author
Katy Ryan is from Tennessee in the U.S. She majored in criminology and sociology. She currently is a hagwon teacher who lives in Mokpo.