- Joined
- Feb 9, 2007
- Messages
- 1,655
I recently finished the book Cache Lake Country: Life in the North Woods by John Rowlands and thought many on this forum would find it interesting. It covers the experiences of the author as a timber cruiser in Ontario over 60 years ago (first published 1947). It recounts life in the northern lake country for one year. Each chapter is devoted to one month and recounts the typical events and activities undertaken by the author and his two nearest neighbors, who lived on nearby lakes. The book is a treasure trove of wilderness lore, especially of the "old school" style. Many fascinating tidbits stemmed from one of these neighbors, an elderly Cree Indian, affectionately known as the Chief. The author's other neighbor Hank Kane was a man of artistic talent and he has contributed hundreds of drawings for the book which illustrate the numerous woodcraft and wilderness lore suggestions. The book is notable in many respects, but two stand out. First, it communicates in siren fashion the magnetic attraction of a simple wilderness life. Second, it stands as a remarkable tribute to the ingenuity of previous generations of woodsman. The writer of the introduction calls it the best book ever written; while that is certainly overstatement is definitely worth reading, and re-reading.