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Monday 24 July 2017

Into the wood

Down the steps and across a bridge from Green Gables is the Haunted Wood, made famous by the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery.




She knew the area as a child and included the wood in her novels about Anne Shirley. Anne, like Lucy Maud, imagined these woods to be haunted.


Walking through the wood, one can picture the young Lucy Maud on her way to and from Green Gables from her home nearby.



Today, the mixed forest consists of huge trees at least twenty-five meters high. 




The wind in the trees makes them creak and sway. What would that sound be like at night? The effect when the moon is full must be eerier with the shadows cast as the trees sway.




Branches reach like octopus arms grasping for anyone who comes within reach. 





But the faces…




they look at any passer-by who is within the limits of their frozen expression. Sometimes, the faces are stacked as a natural totem. 




The skeletons of trees which died along the path, are in stark contrast to the green of summer.




All add to the haunted feel, even during the day.


In the past, people have carved their initials into a few of the trees. Were such marks on similar trees over one hundred and thirty years ago when the child, Lucy Maud, walked this wood? Such initials could represent the names of people who disappeared there!




These days, a golf course crosses the Haunted Wood. The golfers are a curious distraction to the imagination and the ambience of the trail. We stopped to watch and wonder what Lucy Maud would think of their presence in one of her favourite haunts.








34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, A beautifully written post and I love the pictures.

DJan said...

Your beautiful wood seems somehow traumatized by that golf course. I thought golf was going out of style, but what do I know? My parents were golfers. Now I will always associate you with the story of Anne of Green Gables. :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Thanks for these photos! When we were at Green Gables, I was tired and didn't stroll through the Haunted Wood. Your photos are the next best thing to having done so!

Anvilcloud said...

My memories of this are vague, but I think we walked it in part at least.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I enjoy your descriptions so much Marie. I agree, woods can be scary, even in the day, especially the stary tree faces 😀😀

Debbie said...

ooooh those faces, how wonderful!!! and that bridge, what a great railing!!!

Angela said...

This is very sweet to see places where the young Lucy Maud have walked before. It's great that the place isn't closed to the public. Thank you for sharing this Marie!

ann @ studiohyde said...

It looks such a beautiful place, your photographs are excellent :)

Bill said...

Beautiful descriptive post Marie. Wonderful photos and I like those faces on the trees. It's too bad that golf is played nearby, doesn't seem to fit.

Elephant's Child said...

I suspect that many a golfer curses the forest for snatching/hiding their balls. Love the faces, the trees, the bridge. And smile at those missing balls.

Blogoratti said...

An intriguing place to visit no doubt. Great photos.

Tabor said...

I would have gotten more into the mood during my walk on this trail if I had not been able to hear the golfing chatter through the trees!

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Mildred. It was a great place for a walk.

Marie Smith said...

There are much worse things I could be associated with Jan. Lol.

Marie Smith said...

It's a short walk, Debra, but a lovely one!

Marie Smith said...

There are several places to loop back if you don't want to do the whole walk, AC.

Marie Smith said...

The tree faces were my favourite, PDP.

Marie Smith said...

The bridge railing fits the setting, Debbie.

Marie Smith said...

It is a beautiful area, Angela.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Ann.

Marie Smith said...

I was surprised to see the golf course, but it and the people who walk through the wood seem to co-exist. I hope nobody was ever beaned with a golf ball anyway.

Marie Smith said...

thank you, Blogoratti.

Marie Smith said...

I was surprised to see the golfers, Tabor. We watched them for a time but the walkers and the golfers just do their own things.

Marie Smith said...

Lol. Excellent observation, EC.

Debbie said...

2nd visit...thank you for the very kind comment about my pictures today!! the butterflies were still and very easy to photograph!!!

Rick (Ratty) said...

I would love to walk in those woods. I would feel like I was a part of that place. And I really like those wooden walkways.

Marie Smith said...

They are gorgeous on the coneflowers, Debbie.

Marie Smith said...

It is a beautiful wood, Ratty.

Down by the sea said...

It was wonderful to walk through haunted wood with you. Sarah x

Mage said...

Simply beautiful. We live in a desert here, and your greens knock me over.

Marie Smith said...

It is a lovely walk, Sarah.

Marie Smith said...

It certainly is different from the desert, Mage.

The Furry Gnome said...

I remember the haunted woods from our visit in 88!

Marie Smith said...

It's still drawing crowds, FG.