True North: Exploring the Great Canadian Wilderness by Bush Plane

Monika Rohlmann is an environmental consultant in Victoria, B.C.

The bush plane was likely George Erickson’s first cradle. He grew up
flying the North Country with his father, and the boyhood adventures
just kept on going. In this book, he describes his journeys to isolated
northern locations such as Churchill, Baker Lake, Chantry Inlet,
Reliance, Fort St. John, Juneau, Whitehorse, Fort Simpson, Coppermine,
and Yellowknife. He captures the local color, the historical facts, and
the scientific ponderings of his travels, revealing a unique country few
will ever know.

The author has logged some encounters with polar bears, killer whales,
musk oxen, and caribou. His friendships with townspeople and isolated
hunters and trappers carries forward from acquaintances he first made
when flying with his father. It is fascinating to reflect on the changes
in lifestyle, landscapes, and air space that have occurred over the span
of half a century.

This is travel writing at its best. Erickson is a gifted pilot and an
extraordinary writer, with a deep passion for the northern way of life.
True North is recommended for North Country and flying enthusiasts, and
for those seeking a temporary escape from the encumbrances of city life.