A Tribute

Recently, while driving out to the grasslands at the Junction Sheep Range, I heard John Edwards of Lonesome Lake being interviewed on CBC. He was hiking back to his cabin to be with his bird and animal friends in case a large forest fire reached his home.

The Edwards homestead was made famous by his father Ralph, who almost single-handedly rescued the trumpeter swan from extinction in North America. The book Ralph Edwards of Lonesome Lake was one of the first books I read when I arrived in B.C., a book I would never forget.

The following evening, thick smoke rolled in from the Lonesome Lake area making it very difficult to see any of the grasslands. I thought of the Edwards that night, and decided to make an image in tribute of the family. I hiked several kilometers to a spot where I could see the setting sun. It was there I made this image of the fiery red sun burning through the dense smoke. Later, while driving home, I heard on the news that the fire had indeed destroyed the Edwards homestead. It was a sad day in B.C. history, but I felt good inside to have made this image in their memory.

Comments

[R.C ATKINSON]

Hello
I agree it was a sad day for BC history when the Edwards homestead was detroyed by fire.We have read the books ,we also talked to Isabell Edwards,on the phonein early 1999.Then in june 1999 we flew with Avnorth air into Lonesome Lake, we also had a visit with Trudy one evening,We were in Bella Coola for a couple of days.We have never forgotten the Edward books,We are very fortunate to have met Trudy, and to have seen the Edwards homestead.A piece of History lost for ever. Kilworthy On.Canada.

[Ed Jonas]

Hi Yes a sad day.
Can't remember when or where I read it but I think I read
a readers digest version of the Ralph Edwards story and lonesome
lake and the swans and I was hugely impressed that basically one
human being could accomplish so much.

Thanks Ralph you were an inspiration

ed jonas
2006
Alberta
Canada

[Jon Sagara]

So terribly sad. Crusoe of Lonesome Lake was one of my favorite books from childhood.

[Diane Rennie]

I have just now read of this tragic happening.I have read the readers digest many times over and over. I love that story and wish I could go there to meet these amazing people. I would love to see the lake. Its always been a fetish of mine to go there.
something draws me to go there. Maybe some day I wil be able to afford to go before I pass on. I ahve often wondered if the swans are still there.

[Steve Morris]

I actually saw the travelogue about Lonesome Lake and talked with Mr. Edwards back in the 60's at our school. Wonder what happened to the film?

[Robert P Lutz]

Was saddened to learn today (12-29-08) of the forest fire that destroyed the olde Ralph Edwards homestead at Lonesome Lake, B.C. I first read The Amazing Crusoes of Lonesome Lake as a teenager in the February 1957 issue of Reader's Digest magazine while living in the hills of western Pennsylvania. The story of Ralph Edwards left such an indelible imprint on my life that I still have the olde magazine in my library, 51 years later.

[Chuck]

I too first read "The Amazing Crusoes of Lonesome Lake" in the Readers Digest version back in the 60's. I was so impressed that every time I go to an antique show I still look at every Readers Digest I can find to see if I can locate it again.

[Audrey]

I am re-reading the original book "Crusoe of Lonesome Lake" by Leland Stowe which I found at a used bookstore (it is not the readers digest version). I am surprised that an internet seach does not bring up any information on what is going on now with the family and the swans. They don't make people lke the Edwards anymore! I was pleased to learn that F&W released some trumpeters in my state Arkansas. If anyone has some good info links for this home educating mom, please post them.

[Jerry Clement]

I always remembered my first encounter with "Crusoe of Lonesome Lake" a readers digest version from my youth in the 60's and when I was reminded of this great read years later by the fires that destroyed the Edwards homestead, I set out to find a copy of the book and was rewarded by use of the internet in finding a copy. I now own a original soft copy by Leland Stowe, a hard copy, and a hard copy of Trudy Edwards book as well. I am pleased to have them in my library.

[Patrick Cady]

I too first read "Crusoe of Lonesome Lake" 22 years ago. I recently ran across my copy and enjoyed it again as much as the first time. This time I followed up with the subsequent books "Ruffles On My Longjohns" by sister-in-law Isabel Edwards, "Ralph Edwards of Lonesome Lake, a biography by Ralph himself as told to Ed Gould, and "Fogswamp" by daughter Trudy.

I live in Minnesota where, as a postscrip, we now have a large number of free-flying Trumpeter Swans through a very successful local 40 year effort to save the breed.

In 1957 I was very curious about Lonesome Lake and Tweedsmuir but did not find much at the time, almost wondering if it was not a real story. Now through the magic of "Google Earth," I have been able to "fly" over the whole area and find all the places referred in the books. Check it out!

"The Birches" and "Fogswamp" are gone now because of forest fire. All that remains are the trunks of the huge ancient trees that in time will be replaced again. And Again. Others have referred to the change as "tragic," yet I see it as being natural. Appropriate somehow and a reminder of our impermanence.
In another time and place it might have become another Manhattan...

[Jon Sagara]

I just ran across this CBC documentary of the Edwards family. It shows scenes from the Edwards homestead circa 1988. Enjoy!

http://bit.ly/92pCm8