PEI and Saint Andrews by the Sea

Call it a travel bug, but even after my return to Maine this past summer, I’m inclined to get out of the woods and visit other places. While I should have explored more of Maine, the call of the sea and other countries is what truly beckoned. This summer fulfilled a Canadian dream of sorts. From a young age I was borderline obsessed with Anne of Green Gables. Perhaps it would be better to say, in love with Sarah Stanley from Road to Avonlea - a television show inspired by Anne of the Island and her tales. And yet until my mid twenties Sarah or Anne, both had that siren appeal and a life that was more than just intriguing. 

Ironically, while I watched the tv shows and movies more than a handful of times, I didn’t even pick up the books until last year. That is a story for another day . . .

My family would tell you how I always dreamed of life on Prince Edward Island and how it was going to be my place, my spot, the holiday destination or maybe more in years to come. Adolescence shifted to young adulthood and onto middle age with broken promises and no time spent on that special island. Finally, after years of pining, I was able to make this long awaited trip. 

Dare I say I was disappointed? I don’t think that would be fair, but a lifetime of expectations fell short of reality when traversing an island of farms and beaches. We could always blame it on the company and the crappy weather. And yet I doubt I will return, because on the drive to the red shoreline beaches of PEI, the stopover to Saint Andrews by the Sea took me by surprise. 

Whether it was the familiar streets, the colonial feels, a glimpse to my youth spending time on Martha’s Vineyard or even historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Saint Andrews has that welcoming vibe where I felt at peace. 

To that end, the trip to PEI was shortened only to have a second stop over at this seaside hamlet, a vacation spot for many, and a historic place where those loyal to the King of England left to settle during the Revolutionary War or War of 1812. It was one or the other.

The point being is that we all have dreams to pursue, places we wish to explore and see. Sometimes the places we think we need to see, are at most brief stopovers, to those haunts we didn’t even consider, where our souls sing the loudest and where we know the memories will last a lifetime. 

Saint Andrews is that place for me. I still yearn for some time with Sarah or Anne, but only if they want to meet me in New Brunswick. Where have you always wanted to go? Have you found that the journey to that final destination took you elsewhere? To a place that you hadn’t even considered?

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