The Call of Katahdin [Paperback]

Ed Werler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

Ed Werler and his wife Mary Jane were camping in the north woods of Maine when Ed first saw Mt. Katahdin. The mountain spoke to him, inviting him to begin the life his spirit had longed for, a life lived close to nature. Ed went back to Connecticut, quit the best job he'd ever had, packed MJ and their two dogs Mickey and Pepper in the car, and headed north to his new job as Warden at the fire tower on Daicey Mountain. The year was 1947, and within a few years, Ed was a park ranger at Baxter State Park, living at Chimney Pond on his beloved mountain.

For many years, Maine's Mt. Katahdin has called to people. Some, hiking the Appalachian Trail have seen it as the end of the arduous journey north. Others, hunting or fishing in the vast Maine woods, have admired the mountain's majesty and mystery. Still other have come to Katahdin to canoe its waters, watch wildlife in its woods, and hike its trails including the challenging Knife Edge.

Ed Werler heard the call of Katahdin and answered it. This is Ed's story.

All proceeds from the sale of this book benefit Friends of Maine State Parks.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Call of Katahdin was released on Ed Werler's 90th birthday; but, writing a book has been just one of many activities in his busy life.

Ed spent over 30 years in service to the State of Maine, and that commitment continues. In the past few years he has made plaques for all of Maine's state parks and memorials. Each plaque features a slate outline of the state mounted on cedar, with the location of the speicifc park or memorial marked and the managers of that location listed.

Ed has also spent much time cataloging the photographs of, and caring for the paintings of, well-known Maine artist Maurice (Jake) Day. Jake Day's widow became Ed's second wife after he, too lost his first spouse.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Cranberry Knoll Pubns (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096147372X
• ISBN-13: 978-0961473723
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,697,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, June 2, 2004

By 

Kenneth F. Anderson "kfander" (Millinocket, ME) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Call of Katahdin (Paperback)

In 1947, when Ed Werler and his wife Mary Jane, along with their two dogs, Pepper and Mickey, arrived in Maine from Connecticut, they knew that this is where they wanted to be.
Although his goal was to own or operate a sporting camp in Maine, he took a job as a fire tower watchman on Daicey Mountain so that he could be closer to the area he wanted to live in.

As it turned out, he never did own a sporting camp, and it was years before he got the chance to operate one, and that was for only one season.

While the reality differed somewhat from the dream, as often happens, Ed was able to raise his family in one of the most beautiful places on the planet - the Katahdin area of Maine.

The Call of Katahdin: Life in Werler's Woods is the story of the almost thirteen years that Ed and MJ Werler were to spend in this area, from 1947 to 1960, when he accepted a position as Park Manager at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth and moved south.

Told in a simple, clear and compelling story-telling manner, Werler's account is a 176 page chronicle of his life here, from his summers on Daicey Mountain, his winters in Stacyville, and his move from Daicey Mountain to the park service as a Park Ranger for Baxter State Park, including a move to Smith Pond in the fall of 1956.

His stories of Katahdin area places and people who he had come to know, his record of a simpler but harder time, and his tales of the North Woods in general should appeal to anyone.

As a student of history, I loved it. As someone who may have been born and raised in the Katahdin area, perhaps even related to some of the characters contained in this book, I think you'll enjoy it.