Betsy and Saganaga: One Life, One Lake

By Carol DeSain

Book Overview

This is the story about the relationship between Betsy Powell and Saganaga Lake. For nearly 70 years, Betsy lived on this remote lake between the US and Canada, trapping, fishing, hunting and guiding fishing parties. She built her own cabin and traveled miles on foot and by boat for supplies, all without the luxuries of electricity or running water. The remarkable woman used her skills to survive, adapt and thrive on this lake, which is now a part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591930936
• ISBN13: 9781591930938
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The passing of an era...

Let me explain that I've known the pricipals in this little book for most of my life, first coming to Saganaga to my father's cabin when I was ten years old. My remembrances of family and friends, and Frank and Bill Powell and Charlotte and Betsy in this wondrous place I will always revere as a great gift of good fortune. So to hear Betsy's recollections of her life on "Big Sag" is of surpassing interest to me and my family. We've always known her to be feisty and outspoken, but to hear her talk about her life in the wilderness and to tell us about day to day details of which we unaware adds another dimension and deeper appreciation of a time which will soon pass. I was especially touched by how her admiration and deep love for Frank Powell is obvious on almost every page of her book. Frank was, simply, a beautiful man, quiet, with one of the most heart-warming smiles I have ever seen. He is long gone now, as are Dorothy and Bill Powell, and Charlotte also went to be with the Saints some years ago. So Betsy's version of history is the last to be recorded, and like all autobiographys is somewhat biased. Those details, however, are not important any more. If you love the BWCAW, the border lakes of Minnesota, or simply a good read about a life away from civilisation, you'll like this book