Not the only one I see!!

[rick]

Ive read that book almost every winter for about thirty years now and had no idea anybody else did or even knew about this great book. I started looking for this Nakina on google earth and it led to this excellent site, thinking i might go there and see if any of this stuff still existed. Im impressed with this site and the great amount of attention given to this early Canadian family. I trapped and hunted in my youth which has really allowed me to get some understanding of this book.

[BRIAN]

Welcome to the site Rick!

It is indeed great to hear from others who have read this book (and find others who have actually done what you said-read the book every year)

Since there had been a thread that refered to how you got into the book and I cant find it right now, I'd like to just put out here how I ended up on this site.

Might as well post my story about TLN:

I was in 4th grade (in 1969) and since I was interested in the outdoors I noticed a book my friend was reading from the school library. It didn’t have a book cover on it and had a pair of snowshoes engraved in the green hardback cover. He briefly told me about it and I got it out the next week.

This began a love affair of sorts I have had with this book and its characters for now 30+ years. And I do know this for sure....without telling you my life story here, I was made fatherless when I was eight. My mom was and still is the wonderful person who raised us 3 boys under her rules however when my father left, my grandparents moved in.

My grandfather was like a god to me. He grew up in the north central wilds of Pennsylvania in the 1920-30's. He hunted and trapped, he knew his wildlife and in my experience with the book.....in my minds eye- he was the BIG LINDSAY in my life. Of course when he came to live with me most o his outdoor experiences were behind him then however he did take me on long hikes and taught me everything from how to fish with a cane to building a wilderness shelter.

My makeup today is much the same. I have kayaked in the Yukon for a 45 day stint, I have climbed several mountains higher that 9 thousand feet, I completed the Appalachian trail twice (thru in 1978 and sectioned 1980-2001), I go snowshoeing at least once a year in the Adirondack Mtns in NY.

I have an interest in a family camp in north western Pa. and also, just recently one in the Pocono Mtns. I someday hope to bump that location to either Minnesota or upper Michigan. I fish, I hunt and used to trap as a kid however in my area trapping is only reducing the populations of wildlife we still have here. everything is built up. its a shame but it isnt what it used to be like in my area.


Back at my camp, sure, I could trap. But to do it responsibly would need to be there to tend them. its just not worth it here anymore. I dont waste those energies though, using them on kayaking long stretches of rivers on 4 day weekends.

I owe all that I am (other than my interest in my bride ) to my grandfather and Trap-Lines North. I often "feel" Jim in my senses as I wake to greet another morning on the trail or when kayaking coming out of a winding deep woods creek or river into a quiet secluded lake filled with fog. In the beginning of the book when Jim is walking home from the station and he realizes the open water will be gone soon....this is an example of how I "sense" the outdoors. I began using all my senses in the woods and on the water long before (and better, I think) ANY of my outdoor buddies did.


As you can tell I have read the book at least once (, try 70 X)

I started looking for Vanderbeck/ TLN information as soon as the internet was available to me (maybe 13 years ago?) Unfortunately, most of the people are gone and all we have are the memories of those who wont be here much longer. We do however have little nuggets of hope. We have Jim's kids, (and I haven't heard anything lately about any info coming from them) who could still be a link to him. Lindsay, and the others......I wonder if Mary, Ida or Irene are still with us?

We do have Jo Ann and Bob who are there, THERE. That’s like the best location, not just in Nakina, but right on the homestead. Have you met these wonderful people in person? I surely hope to soon.


And the Website Guru- Matt...."RULES"
Thanks mainly to his efforts, we have this place.

Among others; Scott, Julian and Russell have provide great information.

Our website, I think its important to try to get all of our research and thoughts into the forum on the website. This way if someone of importance (linked to the book or the era in some way) sees all this current interest they might chime in.


And now added to my long winded word here....Someday all we WILL have is what WE know as truth and the memories of the individuals who gave us our insights.

I really feel this story is one for the ages. I really am surprised no one ever tried to make it a movie.

nuff said

[traplines]

That is quite a story Brian. I don't think I've read your complete story before. Mine is very similar except I didn't have a grandpa to teach me like you did. My favorite part of the book is that first canoe trip Jim & Lindsay took before freeze up. My not so favorite parts were any time they had to make the trip to town. I always enjoyed being out with them on the trap line. You know when Meader is talking about how they brought out shoe boxes full of photo's. Well when Jim came to visit me he brought 2 or 3 shoe boxes ( It might have been just 2 ) full of photo's of the trap line. I'm betting they were the same photo's that Meader is talking about. I never thought much of it at the time but it's kind of neat isn't it.
Russ

[scott]

I too read this great book every year and when August rolls around I get the itch to read it.
Every year when I returned to school it was the first book to take out of the library and the habit continues to present day.
As far as a favourite part of the book, there are many - Jim walking down the track and the time spent with young Lindsay, the recitng of the Robert Service poem and the ending possibly the best ending I've ever read in a book.
The fact the kids got to test their wings while the adults "stayed out of the way".
Growing up on a dairy farm with a father and a grand father you didn't get away with much and I longed for Jim's freedom to run his own show but still be part of the family too.
Great topic and always great to hear from new people as well as Brian and Russ - so lucky to have met Jim. Thanks.