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Paradise Creek: A True Story of Adventure and Survival
Picture a place 125 miles from the nearest human where the land is as wild and unpredictable as the adventure it delivers. Imagine stepping from a bush plane on to a frozen lake where the temperature is 60 degrees below zero. Three miles away sits a cabin that will be your home for the next year. Now, imagine not finding it for six bitter cold days. This is where the unforgettable true story begins for two young men in search of adventure in the Canadian wilderness. Share their struggle for survival, hunt moose for winter meat and build a cabin at Paradise Creek. Discover the joy and hardships of living for one year in a wilderness log cabin. This is a coming of age story. The range of emotions stretch from the pain of frostbite to the awesome splendor of Northern Lights. From the darkness and loneliness of a subarctic winter to the bliss of watching a sunset on a home-made swing. Journey with these two young men on an adventure you will never forget.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1995
About the author
David Scott
5 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
As a boy growing up in Northwest Indiana, David Scott spent every possible moment of his free time in the woods near his parents home. Despite being only a square mile or so, it set the stage for countless adventures and explorations.
His connection to this small woods became more profound after finding an arrowhead on the edge of an adjoining field. He began learning primitive skills and survival techniques in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the Natives who once lived there.
When he was 13 years old, David wrote a story about running away to live in a remote log cabin in Northern Canada. Never believing such a thing would ever become a reality, he experienced this dream through a vivid imagination.
In the following years both his skills and experience grew. He attended the standard and advanced survival courses held by world renowned survival and primitive skills expert, Tom Brown, worked with the Student Conservation Association to help reroute a trail in the backcountry of the Teton Mountains, hiked a great deal of Isle Royale National park and paddled the boundary waters.
At the age of 19, David embarked on a year-long expedition to live in a log cabin 120 miles from the nearest town in the subarctic of Northern Manitoba. The story he had written just 5 years earlier became a reality.
Following his year long adventure David became a public speaker sharing his story with groups of all ages and backgrounds.
In 2005 David became a member of The Explorer's Club and in 2009 Eddie Bauer introduced the David Scott Parka, a recreation of the same parka he wore during his year long expedition.
Today, David spends much of his free time woodworking, leather working and flint-knapping. While some of the small woods near his childhood home has been developed, much of it has been preserved and it remains a favorite hiking spot for David and his dogs.
As a boy growing up in Northwest Indiana, David Scott spent every possible moment of his free time in the woods near his parents home. Despite being only a square mile or so, it set the stage for countless adventures and explorations.
His connection to this small woods became more profound after finding an arrowhead on the edge of an adjoining field. He began learning primitive skills and survival techniques in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the Natives who once lived there.
When he was 13 years old, David wrote a story about running away to live in a remote log cabin in Northern Canada. Never believing such a thing would ever become a reality, he experienced this dream through a vivid imagination.
In the following years both his skills and experience grew. He attended the standard and advanced survival courses held by world renowned survival and primitive skills expert, Tom Brown, worked with the Student Conservation Association to help reroute a trail in the backcountry of the Teton Mountains, hiked a great deal of Isle Royale National park and paddled the boundary waters.
At the age of 19, David embarked on a year-long expedition to live in a log cabin 120 miles from the nearest town in the subarctic of Northern Manitoba. The story he had written just 5 years earlier became a reality.
Following his year long adventure David became a public speaker sharing his story with groups of all ages and backgrounds.
In 2005 David became a member of The Explorer's Club and in 2009 Eddie Bauer introduced the David Scott Parka, a recreation of the same parka he wore during his year long expedition.
Today, David spends much of his free time woodworking, leather working and flint-knapping. While some of the small woods near his childhood home has been developed, much of it has been preserved and it remains a favorite hiking spot for David and his dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2019
It took a long time to actually find this book but I finally ran across it on an online thrift bookshop. I'm so happy I did! This definitely itched my wanting a good living out in the wild book. It wasn't a how to book but rather about their actual experience. Couldn't put it down once I started it!
August 21, 2021
This was a decent read, although it was obviously written by a first time inexperienced author. I’m sure his friends and family will treasure his story personally, and it may be a very good read for those who love adventure and don’t read often. As a woman who loves the outdoors, I found some of the story relatable, and I thought it was impressive that the author took it upon himself to spend a year in the Canadian wilderness with a friend at the age of nineteen. The book would have been better if it was structured into chapters. Without chapters there seems to be no breaks in the story, while the whole year and many events pass in between. I was left at the end wondering how he reintegrated into the world after his adventure was over. He also never shared how they made it out of the wilderness, so it felt like there were some loose ends.
April 3, 2025
Loved this book. A great story and incredible adventure.
This story moved me and the occasional poem interspersed nearly made me cry.
I love that these two young men followed their dream and found the adventure of a lifetime. It’s one that I wish I had done when I was younger and more able.
I was raised in Alaska and appreciated hearing the real life stories of the ups and downs of survival in the North — the beauty, the fear, the wildlife, the moose hunting, the Aurora, the cold, the frostbite, the canoe trips, the depression of cabin fever, the muskeg, the mosquitoes, and the biting flies. All these things I remember loving and hating.
It was a well-told story and filled my soul. It has a few typos, but those are minor — barely a blip on my radar because I was so engrossed in each story and description. I only wished the story was longer!
This story moved me and the occasional poem interspersed nearly made me cry.
I love that these two young men followed their dream and found the adventure of a lifetime. It’s one that I wish I had done when I was younger and more able.
I was raised in Alaska and appreciated hearing the real life stories of the ups and downs of survival in the North — the beauty, the fear, the wildlife, the moose hunting, the Aurora, the cold, the frostbite, the canoe trips, the depression of cabin fever, the muskeg, the mosquitoes, and the biting flies. All these things I remember loving and hating.
It was a well-told story and filled my soul. It has a few typos, but those are minor — barely a blip on my radar because I was so engrossed in each story and description. I only wished the story was longer!
February 15, 2023
No applause
Although these two teens did succeed in surviving a year in a hostile environment , they did so with unprecedented benefit and still with much luck. They have no right to pride, nor should any be jealous .
Although these two teens did succeed in surviving a year in a hostile environment , they did so with unprecedented benefit and still with much luck. They have no right to pride, nor should any be jealous .
February 20, 2023
Great Adventure
I thoroughly enjoyed this enthralling book. Sometimes frightening, always engrossing. The close bond the author and his friend forged was heartening.
I thoroughly enjoyed this enthralling book. Sometimes frightening, always engrossing. The close bond the author and his friend forged was heartening.
May 24, 2023
Engaging and read
I really enjoyed the ease in which the author writes. Nothing seems sensationalized. I would recommend this great short story
I really enjoyed the ease in which the author writes. Nothing seems sensationalized. I would recommend this great short story
December 8, 2023
Great tale of adventure. My only complaint was that I wish it had been longer!
November 8, 2016
Special thanks to the author, David Scott, for sharing his adventure... but wow I would never let my loved ones read this before I set out into the wilderness. These blunder through their adventure in the wilderness and damn near die learning deadly lessons by trial and error. Maybe it is the 40 year old in me but there are much safer and better ways to educate yourself instead of charging out into the wilderness half-hearted. Book serves as a reminder of how-not-to-do-it :)
April 22, 2009
Read this true, coming-of-age story of two young men living/surviving in the Canadian Wilderness. I read this exciting, readable book about nine years ago to my children. We all enjoyed it, especially my now teenage son.
November 26, 2020
Lovely short book
An honest story of the trials and happy moments of two young lads in the wilderness; enjoying the hardships and comforts alike!
An honest story of the trials and happy moments of two young lads in the wilderness; enjoying the hardships and comforts alike!
March 4, 2024
An eye opening read about how easily life can change, or end, in the blink of an eye.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews