Finding True North: A History of One Small Corner of the Adirondacks

by Fran Yardley

Silver Winner for Regional Nonfiction, 2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards

In 1968 Fran and Jay Yardley, a young couple with pioneering spirit, moved to a remote corner of the Adirondacks to revive the long-abandoned but historic Bartlett Carry Club, with its one thousand acres and thirty-seven buildings. The Saranac Lake-area property had been in Jay's family for generations, and his dream was to restore this summer resort to support himself and, eventually, a growing family. Fran chronicles their journey and, along the way, unearths the history of those who came before, from the 1800s to the present. Offering an evocative glimpse into the past, Finding True North traces the challenges and transformations of one of the world's most beautiful, least-celebrated places and the people who were tirelessly devoted to it.

338 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2018

Reviews

[Joe Geronimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place in a place I truly love... To be honest there was a point I became misty eyed and it made me ponder the circle of life. As I sit here on vacation in Florida it makes me long for our trip to Lake Placid and Saranac Lake even more once we return home to New York.

Fran's story telling is superb and I adore the rich history of her and Jay's life. Such perseverance and determination as everything hangs over your head so daunting.

I loved this book!

[Rebecca Caldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from the area but not immersed in the deep Adirondacks this book was a window into that adventurous world. The mix of history with the trials of running of a camp of this type was an interesting perspective. This caused me to dream of days when I can have a place to paddle, hike, XC ski, and exist in this space, not sure if I will ever get there…

[Susan K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yardley takes historical details and combines it with her own experiences to weave a wonderful story. I makes me want to visit their place in Saranac Lake.

[Marion]

If you want to know how to commit; and to problem solve; and to face catastrophe; and to use every ounce of your imagination and creativity; and to wear yourself to exhaustion and exhilaration, this is the book for you. Yardley's memoir of creating with her husband an extraordinarily memorable home and guest village on a beautiful Adirondack lake inspires. She explains septic, tear downs, renovations, curtains, missing flatware, guests, families, all the while completely un-selfconsciously demonstrating what true grit to sorrow to success looks like.

[Greg Dorchak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in that area, this book brought back a lot of memories for me. Our paths had even crossed, as my father would take us all to make maple syrup at the sugar house on the author's property. Wonderfully woven fact and storytelling, a great little piece of history for that small corner of the Adirondacks!

[Westley Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. It is a touching account of a family living and restoring an old camp in the Adirondacks. Highly recommended especially if you love the region as my wife and I do.

[Romeyn Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book quite by accident while doing research on my ancestors. My 3x great grandfather figures prominently in the early history of the Bartlett Carry Club and is mentioned in this book. So I bought it!

One thing led to another and I met Fran last December and hope to get a personal tour of her home and property now that I have finally finished the book.

I have never read a book quite like this. Fran is an incredible storyteller, and her skill at interweaving the recent and older histories of the place is a pleasure to experience. I found myself invested in the characters of this story, so much so that I choked up a little as I read aloud the part where Fran explains the meaning of “True North” to her grandchildren.