Travelogue: Day 6

In exploring Prince Edward Island today, the question that lodged itself in my head the most was: what would PEI be like if not for Lucy Maud Montgomery?

It might seem like hyperbole to imagine that one author could have such a profound effect on a province, but I really think that this place would look and feel much different if not for the Anne of Green Gables series.

Those books are at the heart of the province's tourism - the museums, the musical, the gift shops - but the influence spreads farther than that. I'm sure that most modern houses here are built with an eye to staying consistent with the look of Green Gables.

Our day was certainly Anne-heavy. On the drive in we finished the audiobook, and last night we saw the musical on stage at the Confederation Centre. Today began with a visit to the Heritage Centre, which is a bit of an Anne museum, but which also gives some insight into LM Montgomery's life.

We wandered through the house and down "Lover's Lane" - a forest walk meant to honour Montgomery's fondness for nature.

When we were done with that, we switched from red hair to red sands: the beach at Thunder Cove.

If you're visiting a beach in PEI, you can't really go wrong because they're all excellent, but I have to recommend Thunder Cove Beach. Red cliffs, consistent waves, and virtually no shells or seaweed. It was a perfect summer moment.

We returned to our Airbnb in that wonderful dazed state of mind that comes from an afternoon of sun and the constant rhythm of waves.

We had dinner at a pub right on the water that featured its own floating beach volleyball court and went to bed very happy.

The kids have already requested that we download the audiobook of the Green Gables sequel. Seems like PEI has left an impression on them.

Before you go...if you believe in the power of play (and if you're here you probably do) please consider donating to our cross-Canada road trip by clicking here. It would mean a lot!