How to Wander Like an L.M Montgomery Heroine

Photo Directed by Addison Horsell

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writings have many characteristics that make them special. One that stands out to me and many others is her talent for connecting her characters to nature and the landscape around them. They explore and wander and roam, often with splendid and surprising results. So many beloved settings from these novels were introduced by a character who simply stumbled upon them one day amid one of their meanderings. Hester Gray’s garden and Echo Lodge from Anne of Avonlea come to mind, as well as Patty’s Place in Anne of the Island and the dear Rainbow Valley. All such wonderful places are discovered, not by the intent of finding them, but by light-hearted exploration.

This guide will help you to become a little more like the beloved characters created by L.M. Montgomery, with their talent for enjoying the journey for what it is.

Bring timeless items that make today feel special.

If you enjoy feeling like an adventurer, bring things along that have practical value or simply strike a chord of potential in your imagination. An old pair of binoculars, a compass, a satchel to collect curios, and a notebook and pencil are some items with a definite use that come to mind. You could also bring a teacup, some twine, a heavy book, and a quilt, all things with less specific purposes. If you carry items that a person back in the Edwardian era might have owned, it will help you to feel more a part of their world.

Wear clothes that the earth can touch without worry.

In order to wander without restraint, you must be able t0 get a little mud on your hem and dust on your boots. Don’t be afraid to climb a tree or cross a stream, but make sure to wear something that allows for that. Fancy or delicate garments do not lend themselves to free exploration in the haven that is nature! A good, comfortable pair of shoes is also important. And this is not a requirement, of course, but if you love to frolic and twirl amidst the trees and wildflowers, you might wear a good sturdy skirt.

Pick a starting point, not a destination.

This is a pretty easy one, but it’s important to remember that if you want to be truly free and spontaneous on your journey, you should leave your options open. As long as it is safe, don’t plan out your route. You will often find that the little deer paths and riverside walkways will reveal themselves, and you may follow them for as far as you wish. If you have a starting place in mind, wonderful! From there, you can enjoy the journey and take your time. You never know what you might find.

Notice the little things.

As you roam through whatever place you have chosen, keep your eyes, ears, and mind alert. Of course, you can and should marvel at the tallest ponderosa or the glitter of light on the lake or the golden sunset, but also take notice of the smaller beauties all around you. Feel the delicate fronds of a fern as you brush past. See how the sunlight trickles through tree branches and dapples the ground. Fix your gaze on a tiny white butterfly as it travels on the wind. And drink in the rich, shining air that will fill your veins with the essence of a wild breeze.

Go where the wind leads you!

Don’t worry about where you are going as you wander. Just appreciate where you are in the moment, and let yourself meander. However, some intent may help in exploration. For instance, if you see a grove of aspens in the distance, go and say hello! If a bluejay flies overhead, follow where he leads. You may stumble upon something spectacular if you let the landscape and its inhabitants influence you. Your journey is a success when you discover something new - it could be anything, large or small. To wander like an L.M. Montgomery heroine, you must trust that somewhere beyond waits a place you need to see.