Location, Location, Location!

So, yesterday, we did a little bit of exploring to find some neat historical locations to possibly return to when the weather is warmer.  It was a sunny day, but the temperature was around freezing level when we headed out in the morning, so didn't think a dress would be practical.  Instead, I wore my 1930s knitted sailor sportswear sweater and some trousers.

Boy, oh boy, did we find the most AMAZING set of places, all accessible along the same hiking/walking trails, all in the same park, called the Dundas Valley Preservation Area, which is only a short drive from home.  Really, there were three main sights: 1) a turn of the century train station (I think it is a replica) with two authentic Canadian Pacific rail cars stopped on the abandoned tracks.  I must point out that, apparently, the station was the one that appeared in the promotional images for the first Anne of Green Gables movie.  It was also apparently used in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel as Kingsport train station, where Miss Stacey meets Anne, and in Road to Avonlea in the episode entitled "Comings and Goings"!!! Oh my goodness!  I'm only going to give you a little peek of the place for now, as, we want to do more photo-taking there in future.

The second place was the ruins of a place called The Hermitage, which was built in 1855 by a Scottish settler named George Gordon Browne Leith.  Once a magnificent stone mansion, the structure is now a ruins due to a fire. 

The third place, which is boggy and muddy right now, so we didn't take any pics, is an old apple orchard and orchard house.  In a few weeks, once the blossoms start blooming, we are thinking this is going to be just a fantastically picturesque place!!  So, that's our sneak peek.  Will post more when we go back in warmer weather!!


Further to the above Anne of Green Gables info, I have just found out that most of the Anne of Green Gables movies' sets are in within a short distance of my town!!!!!!  I almost swooned when I read that the house which served as Green Gables in the movie is NOT in Prince Edward Island but a short car ride away!!!!  Moreover, most of the buildings serving as the town of Avonlea are also close by.  Finally, apparently, L.M. Montgomery, the author of the Anne books, spent her last years living in the Toronto area, so there are more Anne related exhibits and buildings to see around here than I EVER imagined.  Seriously, I don't think anyone (except my mom) knows just how important the Anne books were to me as a child.  This promises to be an incredibly exciting summer!!! I'll be sure to post more pics as I make my way to all these planned stops on my Anne pilgrimage!!!!