Path to Green Gables

🎶Anne's Theme🎶

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Beams Rock, Forbes State Forest

Lucy Maude Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" begins with orphaned 11-year-old Anne Shirley arriving in Avonlea.  Anne has hopes of being adopted by the brother and sister couple who, it turns out, requested a boy.  They are getting on in years and need help with the farm work.  Anne  immediately falls in love with their home, Green Gables, and hopes they will keep her.  Anne's imagina- tion often led her down a path that was unfamiliar to the adults around her, for they'd lost their imaginations years before, if they ever had one to begin with.

Earlier this week Ken and I spent three days driving the backroads and hiking the trails of the Laurel Highlands in western Pennsyl- vania.  We almost didn't go because I was giving up hope of finding some place unique to stay.  After having exhausted every other source of lodgings on-line I stumbled upon the "dollhouse" cabin (as Ken called it) when I decided to check out AirBnB for the first time.  There was a listing for Green Gables/Huddleson Court.  Hmmm.   This could be promising!   I was delighted to find that pets were allowed so Gabriel came with us.

Upon our arrival we checked in at the Green Gables Restaurant . . .

The burning bush branches in the corner of the foyer were a delight.  I have many such bushes in our woods and never thought to bring them inside.  I can't wait for mine to start turning red so I can do the same. . . .

You can see the Anne of Green Gables book on the table. . . .

This is only one of three windows displaying colorful glassware where we checked in. . . .

We discover that our cabin, Beaverdam Creek Cabin, is on the other side of the pond behind the restaurant.  We had to drive a bit down the road to get to it via a residential street.  But we were soon on a gravel road that led down to the cabin.

We parked our car and walked the short path to the cabin. . . .

The fireplace was at the center of the cabin.  Unfortunately, it never got cold enough for us to use it. . . .

To the left of the fireplace you can see the backdoor and the small dining area.  The steps over the top of the fireplace take you up to the bedroom. . . .

But first, here is the dining room. . . .

The kitchen was tucked in next to the fireplace. . . .

This is the view from the dining room on the other side of the fireplace back into the living room with the steps leading up to the bedroom. . . .

The view from the top with Gabriel patiently waiting for me to carry him up since the steps are too steep for him. . . .

This is the "dollhouse" part.  You had to duck your head to get around the chimney into the room and then into the bed--we climbed in from the end each night. . . .

The view from the bedroom.  That's the chimney on the right. . . .

And from the other side of the chimney. . . .

Just across the way we could see the restaurant where we'd take our supper that first night and breakfasts. . . .

Because I read the reviews online, I knew there was a path that led across the creek and pond to Green Gables.  This is where my imagination began to play.

Anne:  There’s a path.  Let’s follow it!

Me:     Let’s!

Anne:  Look!  Steps!   But let’s wait until that fellow gets ahead.

Me:     Good idea.

Anne:  There.  He’s gone.

Me:     Isn’t this lovely!

Anne:  Gabriel wants to take the lead.

Me:     I hear running water!

Anne:  Oh!  You know how I love brooks! 

Me:     There's a footbridge!  Do you think it’s safe to cross?

Anne:  Gabriel thinks so.

Me:     OK, let’s go.

Anne:  There it is!  Green Gables!

Me:     I hear more water.

Anne:  Another little foot bridge! 

Me:     Let’s follow Gabriel.

Anne:  He made it!

Me:     He’s so brave.

Anne/Me:  BEAUTIFUL!

The first evening we ate in the restaurant.  This was the view from our table. . . .

On the way to Laurel Highlands we drove through Western Maryland, then took back roads up into Pennsylvania.  Some of the photos in the slideshow below were taken on the grounds of Green Gables.  Others are of our hikes in Forbes State Forest, Laurel Ridge State Park and Shawnee State Park and as we drove to and from here and there.  The last frame is of Sideling Hill in Maryland.  This cut was made in the mountain in 1983/84 when I-68 was built.  Before then Route 40 (Old National Pike) traversed along the side of the mountain using a switchback--a total of 5 miles--before crossing the mountain.  . . .

                 


.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•

Take Joy!