Walks by Big Alex's Pond

by Henry Van Berkel

 

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GENRE: Autobiography (Nature)

BLURB:

 

Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.

 

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EXCERPTS (Exclusive Excerpt):

 

The doughty adventurers would have had a tent, a pot for cooking, tin cups for drinks, some staples, some canned food, matches, knives, and guns for self-defence and hunting, and blankets. They probably had no clothing other than what they wore: undershorts and long johns, an undershirt, mackinaws, a tough pair of trousers, woollen socks, mitts, a cap with earflaps, and sturdy boots. They would have had to carry some basic equipment as well: tools to build a sturdy craft to navigate the lakes and the treacherous river and tools to dig and pan for gold.

 

As they travelled, Alex kept a sharp lookout for quartz, and seeing some positive signs around Indian Creek, wished to stop there to explore the mineral prospects. His companions, however, wanted to press on to Forty-Mile; “being of accommodating disposition,” he yielded to their wishes. That they arrived, without loss of life or major mishap, suggests that they were hardy and resourceful, and already familiar with the extreme demands of a northern environment. The route claimed fourteen outfits and the lives of six men that summer: a small harbinger of what was to come.

 

Alex found work with the Alaska Commercial Company as a buyer of prospective mining properties, a job for which he had the aptitude and experience. He was working with the company on promising claims near Miller Creek in the summer of 1896 when the electrifying news of a fabulous gold strike on the Klondike reached the camp.

 

On August 16 of that year, George Washington Carmack, the California son of a Forty-Niner who had come North as much for solitude as for gold, together with his wife Kate and two Indian brothers-in-law, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, were camped by a tributary of the Klondike River, called Rabbit Creek, when Charlie spotted a thumb-size gold nugget gleaming at the bottom of the stream where he was cleaning their dishes. Some quick digging revealed other nuggets of various sizes. Amazed and excited by what they saw, they whooped and danced with glee and in ecstasy immediately staked their find. George hurried downriver to Forty- Mile to register his claim and the claims of his companions. They did not tell fellow prospector Robert Henderson, whom they had met on the trail just days earlier and who had suggested they try their luck on Rabbit Creek—and who was encamped less than two miles away—of their incredible find. It was a common and expected courtesy in the territory to inform nearby prospectors, and they had promised Henderson they’d let him know if they found gold. But Henderson had insulted George’s in-laws and had refused to sell them tobacco; they were beyond angry at him. Henderson’s insulting and surly behaviour almost certainly deprived him of a fortune.

 

 

 

 

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REVIEW

This story reflects a man's life in later years. Starting from a childhood filled with war and then moving to Nova Scotia where there is so much more peace and tranquility. The pond holds so many memories and how content he was!

This is a new author for me. When I read the blurb I was so excited to read this one. The story did not disappoint. So much reflection and so much emotion. A truly amazing story.  I look forward to reading much more. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.

 

 

Connect with Henry Van Berkel

 

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/walksbybigalexspond/

 

GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50277404-walks-by-big-alex-s-pond

 

 

Get a copy of Walk by Big Alex's Pond        

 

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KINDLE https://amazon.com/dp/B082FSK87N

 

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