Prince Edward Island, Canada
The Story of Tread Softly
Tread Softly, in its former incarnation, was discovered by the owner when she visited PEI twenty-two years ago while researching her genealogy. While driving around the island, she was captivated by its scenic beauty and charm and knew that her relationship with the Island was destined to continue. When she came upon the small, white, Maritime farmhouse, which was in need of much repair, she saw the possibilities in it, and after purchasing it a few months later, she began its renovation. Using knowledge gleaned from her on-going interior design career, she made the house not only warm and inviting, but also fully functional. She used it as a vacation home in the late spring and early fall, and began renting it in the summer. Eventually she met her yet – to – be husband while he was visiting the Island, and two years later they were married at the small, white church on the nearby hill and had a memorable reception on the front lawn of the Inn at Bay Fortune. They continue to spend several weeks each year at the cottage and lovingly maintain it as a summer rental as well.
The name “Tread Softly” comes from a W.B. Yeats poem, “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven”, which ends
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams.
I have spread my dreams under your feet.
Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams."