Life with Noah: Stories & Adventures of Richard Smith with Noah John Rondeau

Noah John Rondeau was a special man in a special place at a special time in history. His life and lifestyle were, at the very least, iconoclastic, although he welcomed visitors, as the Mayor of Cold River City, population 1.Think of it: He never earned a college degree or a patent; never held political or corporate office; never had a telephone or paid any utility bills; never had a credit card or an automobile; never owned any real estate or made any contributions to the arts. Yet here we are, 33 years after his death and nearly 50 years after his departure from the wilderness as a hermit, writing and reading books about him.Recently, there was a program given at the Adirondack Museum, by Jay O'Hern, in March of 1999. The place was packed and spanned multiple generations, to witness a one hour plus, slide presentation and talk on The Hermit of Cold River, Noah John Rondeau.In August of 1999, this reviewer took a 40 mile hike into the Cold River Country of the High Peaks Wilderness in the Adirondaks, to meet the spirit of Noah John head-on, along the Northville-Placid Trail. I walked in his footfalls, slept in his woods and fished in his beloved Cold River for the native brook trout.The trip was a watershed experience and a rite of passage for any hiker or backpacker. His spirit remains in the High Peaks Wilderness to all who have the inclination to venture there.Jay O'Hern has, with this book, kept Rondeau "alive" for those who would read these pages. More than that, he has helped keep a special time in history fresh and relavent.Highly recommended.

Any lover of the Adirondacks,especially of the Northville/Lake Placid trail will have many fond memories re-opened of days spent in beutiful country. In addition, the real Noah is revealed thru the words of a real friend and fellow trapper. You will put this book down with the thought that Noah was not a buffoon to be paraded by the Env. Conservation office. He showed that one could survive in the wild if he had a reverance for life and a love of nature. Richard Smith does honor to Noah . Thanks to Jay for the intimate glimpse of the Hermit of Cold River. Hope to go back there again someday. If I do, I will say a thank you to Noah, Richard and Jay.