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Chris McCandless is an interesting person who you really can't fully hate but he's also not someone to be praised. As I read throughout the book, there are parts where I admire Chris and his wishes but at other moments, he shows that he's not the best person.

The GOOD: I really like how Chris really put his mind to it when he wanted to venture out on his own in the wild. He also did not care enough about status and money which is why he donated all $24,000 of his life savings to charity, burns the rest of his money and identifications, and leaves his perfectly working car. He could've at least saved some money and his car to make it a little easier on him but he threw it all away. Not many people would be willing or brave enough to do that! He also went through the worst of conditions and still managed to keep going for his dream. I also like that he is smart and has a friendly energy that everyone admires such as in Bullhead City, when he had no problem socializing with anybody.

The BAD: I totally understand Chris' personal life problems with Walt and Billie at home, but I hate how it caused his avoidant behavior. Chris is obviously stubborn, which I can relate to, but keeping his parents and family up to date on how he is doing wasn't that hard. Especially, Carine! They were so close and were there for each other when their parents had problems, and the whole trip Chris doesn't at least mail her once? Ronald Franz is such an important character, too! He simply wanted to be Chris' father figure because he was lonely but Chris just decides to dip on him? Like what?

All in all, I greatly admire and respect how Chris put his all into his dreams and lived life on his own terms exactly how he wanted. It's just the fact that he had hurt people he met on the way by abandoning them that throws me off. What he has accomplished and the great distances he went, I enjoyed reading about it.

#adventureswithChris #liveyourlife #RIPCJM

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My friends and I on film eating breakfast from Ham 'n Scram before heading to Palm Springs! <3

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Due to personal life and financial difficulties when I was growing, I didn't really get to travel much or go anywhere. I always only knew about some destinations because my friends visited it and talked about it. I was always on YouTube wishing I could go to concerts, go out to all these places to eat, and visit all these landmarks. Now that I am finally older in my teen years, (and I have a car, YAY!) I've gotten more experience in going out and doing what I've always wanted to do. Summer 2019 was teens from all over the world brought back something from the 90's: disposable cameras! It had started trending so crazily and the FujiFilm disposable cameras were selling out so quick! I hopped on the trend and brought that camera everywhere I went along with my FujiFilm Instax Mini 9. My hobby of documenting and taking pictures of everything has grown tremendously. I know that a lot of people say to live in the moment and not pull your phones out or whatever, but I genuinely love documenting every second of my life because I can always reminisce and look back on how I lived life. I got to go to Las Vegas and Palm Springs with my friends, and also go to a ton of concerts! I love going to concerts especially since I can drive there myself now. I also love exploring new view places such as Inspiration Point in Newport Beach, Signal Hill, Turtle Rock, and Rocketship Park in LA. I've taken pictures of every good meal I've ate, too! LOL.

When I'm older and financially stable, I really hope to be able to travel everywhere...especially DUBAI! I would combine my hobbies of going out and venturing places with taking pictures. I obviously plan to go to more concerts and music festivals, explore more viewpoints outside of OC, and eat lots of more good food. A really important goal of mine besides going to all these places, is obviously bringing my mom along!!! I have experienced so many great and exciting events in my life and I want my mom to experience that as well. I want to spoil her and have her be able to see what is out there in the world. I really want to see the Cloud Gate in Chicago, so I will be there one day! When I talk about music festivals, I hope to celebrate my 18th by attending my first one called Beyond Wonderland in San Bernardino.

#livinglifetothefullest #YOLO #havefunwhilebeingsafe

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John Krakauer has been pondering (¶ 3) the question of Chris McCandless' death for almost 23 years even though he had already written about the three possible causes for Chris' death. McCandless' journal entry that says: "Extremely weak. Fault of potato seeds," could not be ignored by Krakauer at all. Krakauer decided to test the seeds for beta-ODAP (¶ 6), a lethal comound that causes weaking and paralysis, after receiving a tip from Ronald Hamilton. Results showed that the seeds did contain beta-ODAP but John sent the seeds back to the lab for more thorough test after going back and forth with the scientific and non-scientific community in Alaska. He had spent nine months and $20,000 until he could finally publish results in the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine that showed the seeds contained a toxin that was not beta-ODAP, L-canavanine (¶ 9). This toxin wards off predators and wreaks havoc (¶ 10) after tricking the body's cell into thinking it's good for them. Krakauers research confirms (¶ 18) the presence of the toxin. John concludes that he is genuinely confident that Chris would've survived if it weren't for these seeds and an important lesson that people should learn from this event is that, "there are many, many species where you can eat one part and will die if you eat another part...You gotta be careful out there."

Analysis: It is sooo crazy that John Krakauer really spent $20,000 in nine months in order to find an answer to his question. I would have the same curiosity as him but crazy enough to put that much money and effort in. At least in the end, he was correct after debating with so many people. I hate the fact that Chris really could've survived if it weren't for those toxic plants.

#somuchscience #Chriswouldvesurvived #becarefulofthedeceivingplants

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Summary: Ten months after Walt and Billie receive the sad news from Sam McCandless, they decided to visit the last place Chris was at: the Magic Bus. The visit was difficult for Walt to come to terms with while Billie felt calm and looked forward to the trip. They intended to take foot on the Stampede Trail just like Chris, but they ended up taking a helicopter. The couple admires the beauty of nature before entering the bus. They observe the interior with Chris' belongings and handwriting on the walls. After spending two hours in and out of the bus, Walt installs a memorial plaque and Billie leaves a suitcase full of survival supplies, canned food, and a first-aid kit for those who would up seeking shelter in this bus. The trip had gotten Walt and Billie to conclude they have a better understanding of Chris's desires but there is a lot about Chris that still baffles them.

Analysis: I can't imagine the pain that Walt and Billie are going through, especially since they did not have a good last talk with Chris nor did they get to see him for the last time. Even though they gained a better understanding of why Chris ventured out into the country, it sucks that they don't realize they were one of the reasons why Chris dipped.

#wewillneverforgetChris #understandingChris #helpingthenexttraveler

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Summary: Chris returns to the bus on July 8th after attempting the return to civilization and falls back in to his routine of hunting (p. 188) and gathering. He had finished reading Doctor Zhivago and records in his journal two days after: "EXTREMELY WEAK...MUCH TROUBLE TO STAND UP. STARVING." Chris's physical condition (p. 189) was extremely horrible as his body was simply just skin and bone. The first theory for his cause of death was potato seeds. The assumption is that Chris bought potato seeds before heading north, with the intent of planting a garden. Eating these seeds would poison him because they contain solanine, a poison that affects heart rate and blood pressure. However, in order for these seeds to really get you, you would have to eat a bunch of pounds worth. So, it is unlikely because his pack was so lightweight when he was dropped off by Gallien. Another theory is that he ate sweet pea since they are reported to be poisonous (p. 191) and difficult to distinguish from wild potatoes. McCandless grows weaker by the day and is on the brinks of starvation (p. 195). He doesn't even have the ability or energy to get up and go out to gather more food for himself. He documents in his journal for August 5: "DAY 100! MADE IT! BUT IN WEAKEST CONDITION OF LIFE...TOO WEAK TO WALK OUT, HAVE LITERALLY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE WILD." Six miles south of the bus, there's a cabin fully stocked with emergency food, bedding, and first-aid supplies that Chris could've found if only he had a map. He realizes the gravity of his predicament (p. 198) and signs of an SOS note that he attaches to the bus. His final words being "Beautiful Blueberries" for his journal entry on August 12th. He smiles in one last picture he takes near the bus as one of his last acts.

Analysis: The map is such an important necessity especially when you want to take on the world! The cabin would've saved Chris and he could've continued onto his dream. I'm glad Chris was able to venture through all the places he made it through and had an impact on all the people he has met.

#finalsaddays #RIPChrisMcCandless #peasorpotatoes

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Summary: John Krakaur wants to visit the bus to gain a better understanding of Chris’s experiences. John goes with Roman Dial, Dan Solie, and Andrew Liske and unlike Chris, he is prepared with a map. They’re at the Stampede trail until 20 minutes later, they find a cable that McCandless could’ve used to easily travel across the river. Chris mistakenly concluded that the river was impossible because he did not have a map! The route is more strenuous (p. 175) than John had thought and the Teklanika river is hard to cross since the route is indistinct and overgrown with brush. Krakauer feels grateful for his friends’ company (p. 176) as he feels there is something disquieting about the landscape. They finally make it to Bus 142, staring at it in silence and can confirm that McCandless had shot a moose since it’s large skeleton lies near the perimeter. They approach the vehicle with missing windows, and find most of Chris’s belongings that were left: purification tablets, jeans, Gallien’s work boots, and matches. John is uncomfortable because he feels that he is intruding (p. 179) in Chris's place, looking at his toenail clippers and Levi jeans. They set up a fire and sleep outside of the bus because it is too eerie (p. 179) inside.  Sitting at the fire, they discuss Chris's behavior, triumphs, and mistakes. They conclude that they have a lot in common with McCandless.

Analysis: I'm glad that John and his friends were prepared enough to make it through the trail since Chris sadly did not. It was really only one thing that Chris needed that would've helped him in the long run: a map. Even though he missed out on that, I still respect that he really followed his desires and stuck to exactly what he wanted to. He wanted to move around with no map, and he did.

#triptoBus142 #spiritindabus #understandingChris

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Summary: Chris starts his "great Alaskan odyssey" as he departs Carthage, South Dakota on April 15, 1992. He hitchhikes on the Alaska highway after crossing the Canadian border and he meets Gaylord Stuckey, who is on the way to Alaska as well. They spent three days together and Stuckey learned that Chris was a real courteous (p. 159) kid who wanted to prove that he could make it on his own by living alone off the land. Stuckey drops Chris off at the University of Alaska and he eventually made his way to the George Parks Highway after spending a few days near the campus. Jim Gallien picks him up and drops him off at the Stampede Trail leaving Chris a ten pound bag of rice and chips that Gallien had contributed (p. 162). He reached the Teklanika River and stumbles upon the bus besides the Sushana River on May 1st. "Magic Bus Day" was written in his journal. He had some difficulty (p. 164) spending time there as he failed to shoot some ducks and grizzly's. His hunting game got better, though, and it was important to spend most of his time stalking animals in order to feed himself. McCandless had written housekeeping chores down and documented the animals he was able to catch and kill in his journal entries. He had tried preserving moose meat, his most successful hunt, but gave up. Feeling satisfied (p. 168) after he lived two months of a solitary life, he decided to return to civilization. Chris seemed ready to return back to normal life where he can drink beer and talk to strangers. McCandless finishes reading Tostoy's "Family Happiness" and wrote, "He was right in saying that the only certain happiness in life is to live for others." He packs all his belongs on July 3rd, ready to return. When he reaches the Teklanika, the water was too deep and powerful (p. 170) making it impossible to cross as he was a weak swimmer who was also afraid of the water. He writes in his journal: "Disaster...Rained in. River look impossible. Lonely, scared." Chris then turns around and makes his way back to the bus.

Analysis: I wish Chris would've been able to take a break from his solitary life and return back to civilization. Too bad he didn't know what would happen as he turned his back around to go back to the bus. :(

#huntingpro #comingbacktopeople #journalentries

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Summary: After his defeat, the hours pass slowly as the only thing left to do is to read and study the ripstop pattern woven into his tent ceiling. Not being able to withstand his failure, he rolls a joint and smokes it. However, getting high only made "the tent seem even more cramped, more suffocating, and more impossible (p. 146) to bear." To make matters even worse, the match he used to light up the stove lit his tent on fire causing the inside to be thirty degrees colder. John begins thinking about his volatile father, someone who was complicated and could never admit that h he was wrong. Having a similar relationship to Chris and Walt, the old man had extremely high expectations (p. 148) for John to become a doctor and made it clear that anything less was a failure. John realizes that his ambition comes from his father so he is motivated to give the climb another try and get to the summit. He restarts the terrifying (p. 150) climb with no gear. John saw there was no place higher to go, realizing that he was finally on top of the Devils Thumb. He documented the surreal (p. 153) moment by taking pictures to prove that he has been here, done that. He returns home a week later and shares his new accomplishment, but sadly no one was impressed or seemed to care enough. Krakauer realizes that this climb did not fix anything in his life but at least he lives to tell a great tale (p. 155). He goes on to tell how his adventure proves that Chris did not have a death wish since his survival was largely a matter of chance (p. 155).

Analysis: I love that Krakauer built up enough courage and determination to finish his climb and reach his destination. After dealing with the pilots not noticing me and setting my own tent on fire trying to get high, I would've been so done! I probably would just give up on the spot. It's also interesting that he can compare his relationship with his father to Chris and his parents. I personally can relate and understand this relationship because most Asian parents hold high expectations for their kids and pressure them into being a doctor or lawyer so they are secured for success. I wish more people gave John better reactions since he accomplished something so crazy and great.

#ambition #burntthetentwhilesmokingmarijuana #wemadeit

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Summary: The author, John Krakauer, tells of his own story and experience in the wild. He was 23 when he decided to climb mountains in the Alaska bush. He had formulated (p. 135) a plan to climb the Devil's Thumb. To get to the foot of the mountain, he has to find a ride across 25 miles of saltwater and ski up one of the glaciers. He shared (p. 138) a ride with some tree planters to make it across the few miles and starts the dangerous trip. Krakauer grew anxious (p. 140) since he had no radio meaning no communication with the outside world, and his food supply was running short enough to only last him three or four days. On May 11, he quickly packs his things and returned to the expedition as he "couldn't afford to waste a rare day of perfect weather." He keeps striking (p. 143) the rocks hoping to get a hold of it and move on, but he begins to hyperventilate (p. 143) as he had no success. There is no where else for him to go but back down.

Analysis: Including a personal story to show how there are so many people who are alike and want to dedicate time to a thrilling adventure is so interesting. In my opinion, I wouldn't be bold enough to even try to complete this climb. The whole time I would be so anxious that it would probably get to my nerves and mess up my climbing.

#climbingtime #authorsadventure #canwemakeittothetop

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Summary: Carine McCandless has two framed photographs of Chris in her Virginia Beach home. They had a lot of similarities (p. 129) as they both had an energetic and self-assured (p. 129) personality. It wasn't only Chris that didn't have the best relationship with his parents, his sister would also clash with Walt and Billie a lot. Chris was very attached (p. 128) to Buckley, the family's dog, and had wanted to bring Buckley along on his journey but Walt and Billie didn't let him because Buck was badly hurt from being hit by a car. Carine feels that things would've went differently if Chris actually brought Buck and he would've been safer. Carine finds out about Chris' death from her husband and she was grieving over the loss in which she had no appetite for anything and lost (p. 131) ten pounds. Billie also breaks down (p. 132) from time to time and just like Carine, she had lost eight pounds while Walk gained eight pounds eating compulsively.

Analysis: I'm very glad to have learned that there was someone else Chris was able to talk to since he didn't have the best relationship with his parents. I can not imagine the pain that Carine had felt right as she found out about the sad news. What makes it worse was that Chris unfortunately did not stay in contact during his journey but I admire that Carine didn't question anything.

#siblinglove #justliketwins #weloveBuckley

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Summary: Chris's escape started the summer after high school, leaving Virginia to head south and eastward. He comes back noticeably losing 30 pounds due to the fact that he had gotten lost and dehydrated in the Mojave Desert. Chris was extremely overconfident (p. 118) because he was naturally good at everything he's ever tried and he always did exactly what he wanted even if you tried to argue with him and talk him out of it. Chris's relationship with his parents had significantly deteriorated (p. 121) throughout the summer and he seemed mad at them more often. His anger stemmed from his discovery of Walt living a double life in secret, continuing his relationship with Marcia putting time into another house and family. Chris has a thing where he doesn't tell people what's wrong but rather keeps it to himself. Therefore, he did not confront his parents but chose to express his rage in silence and through withdrawal (p. 123) from their lives. He graduated in the spring of 1990 and vanished (p. 125) after loading up his car and donating all his money to OXFAM. McCandless is now out on the rode living an independent (p. 125) away from his family like he originally planned. Years had passed without any word from Chris until they finally receive news about his death.

Analysis: These chapters really show you how coming from a wealthy background does not guarantee a happy life. Some of these people are so messy! ...like Walt! What Walt did is absolutely disgusting. I cannot imagine forgiving someone if I had just birthed their son just for them to create another family with someone else. I can see why Chris was so enraged after finding this out. I think finding bad news out by yourself is so much worse than having someone inform you.

#waltisatwotimer #thatwasmessedup #chrisismadforaprettygoodreason

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Summary: In this chapter, we learn about Walt, Billie, and Carine. Walt is a brilliant (p. 105) man who has a sense of temper and authority. Chris was born with unusual gifts as he was placed in a accelerated program and brought home A's with little effort (p. 109). The family moved from California to Annandale, Virginia so Walt and Billie could run their own consulting firm out of their home. Both parents were hard workers who constantly kept the grind up and didn't have time for the kids, providing the kids little love. However, it was a stressful time where Walt and Billie would clash and argue giving Carine a reason to prove how her and Chris were so close. They counted on each other when their parents weren't getting along. Carine and Chris were both musically and academically talented, being high achievers (p. 109). Chris was really serious about running, viewing it as an intense spiritual exercise. McCandless also took other things besides running seriously, such as racial opression, smuggling weapons, and providing food for the homeless and prostitutes. Walt and Billie worked very hard to get the family where they are at now and they don't take a college degree lightly. McCandless's personality was puzzling (p. 115) as he did not like being told what to do, just like his father, and he was very private. Unlike his parents, he thought wealth was shameful and inherently evil (p. 115). His plan to take off and disconnect himself from his family evolves after he graduates high school in 1986.

Analysis: After gaining a better understanding of McCandless' home and family life, I can see why he decided to dip. Although, he should've still stayed in contact especially with Carine because they had such a good bond due to their parents not getting along. It really sucks that parents can work really hard to provide for their family, but it still can create a toxic environment at the same time because they leave no time for the kids.

#likefatherlikeson #foreveronthegrind #peoplewiththesamepersonalitiesclash

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Summary: The Alaska State Troopers have been spending a lot of time trying to figure out who the mystery man is. Jim Gallien sees news of the dead hiker on Anchorage Daily News and makes a call to the state troopers telling them that he gave "that guy" a ride. The cops were skeptical due to getting so many calls from different people claiming that Alex was their friend, brother, or their kid. The troopers search (p. 99) in South Dakota but end up with a false lead. Wayne Westerberg becomes aware of death as he listens to the Paul Harvey broadcast. Westerberg phones the state troopers but is pissed (p. 100) that they think he's another random caller. He then tries to prove that he for sure knows McCandless by finding his social security number (p. 100) on W-4 forms that he had filled out when working for him. The troopers finally took him seriously when he had found the form with McCandless's signature. They make a phone call to Sam McCandless, Chris's half brother, and show him a photograph (p. 101) of the hiker. Sam, with no doubt (p. 102) confirmed that the person was Christopher McCandless and then drives out of Maryland to break the sad news to Walt and Billie.

Analysis: It took a long time for the troopers to discover the mystery person but I'm glad they solved the case using the help of all the people that Chris had met during his journey. I can't imagine what his friends felt like when they had to find out unexpectedly, especially his parents, too.

#sadnews #missingpersonsisdead #tragedy

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Summary: This chapter discusses about Everett Ruess, a UCLA dropout who share similarities with Chris, as he takes on a solitary journey living (p. 90) out of a backpack. Everett had come from a nomadic family who moved around from the East Coast to the West Coast. He was a "wanderer (p. 91) of the wilderness" and had a reckless (p. 92) manner as he had near-life death experiences moving throughout the cliffs. Similar to Chris, Everett changes his name but it was rather a series of new names. He starts from the name Lan Rameau, to Evert Rulan, and back to Everett Ruess, and finally Nemo (Latin for "nobody). Nemo was etched into the soft sandstone by Everett right before he went missing. A search (p. 93) party was organized in March 1935 after he disappeared completely. The only things that were found were his drawings and graffiti of "Nemo." Many believe that Ruess fell to his death on the canyon walls while others speculate that he was murdered (p. 95). Everett's body and possessions were sadly never found.

Analysis: It's so sad that all these characters are really following their heart and dreams but unfortunately, doesn't make it out. Everett was still young and I feel that it really sucks not knowing what had actually happened to him. I would rather know the cause of death than speculating what could've happened.

#noonemadeit #mysterydeath #followingdreams

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Summary: A new bond was created in January 1992 as Chris crossed paths with Ronald Franz, an eighty year old war veteran who had lost his wife and only son due to a drunk driver on New Years Eve.

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#fatherfigure #unforgettablerelationship #

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Summary: McCandless heads east towards the desert from California, landing in Bullhead City, Arizona. Chris obtains a job as a McDonald's employee while he is here, an interesting and "uncharacteristic break (p. 40) from his cover" in which he uses his real name and social security number. He was a fascinating character who absolutely disliked wearing socks and eventually quit, walking straight out the door as his smelly odor was mentioned all the time. Some coworkers recall Chris as a dependable, reliable (p. 40) worker, while others were "surprised he ever got hired." He grows tired of Bullhead City and moves on to Slab City to see Jan Burres. He had helped her out a lot by volunteering to watch her table as she was a vendor at the big flea market. McCandless had no problem socializing with everybody as he was friendly (p. 44) with every person he met. Chris easily would entertain the crowd with his secret musical talent and he remained quiet about his personal, family life. Burres would try to subtly ask him a few questions and he would react with rolling his eyes at her. Chris eventually announces it his time to move on and with much concern, Jan believed that Chris would have no trouble making it in one piece as he was a smart guy who could figure anything out.

Analysis: It is so crazy to see that Chris was employed at McDonalds...who would've thought?! It's also obvious that Chris has this really positive energy where everyone just simply enjoys being around him. I like how everyone can also see that he is a smart guy. However, I think it's really interesting how he keeps his personal life very hidden because if I ran away from my family and met strangers, I could easily give them a long story time about my life.

#employed #ihatesocks #friendlyandmusicallytalented

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Summary: A group of park rangers discover an old yellow Datsun with a note saying "Whoever can get it out of here can have it." McCandless had driven this down the riverbed of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and decided to abandon (p. 29) the Datsun as a flash food made the car unable to start. Chris burns all of his money and sets out on July 10 to hike around Lake Mead. He gets a ride from Crazy Ernie who he ends up working for but realizes that he has no intention of ever paying Chris so he resumed (p. 30) his adventurous life. Near the town of Orick, Jan Burres and Bob pick Alex up and he stays with them for a while. On August 10, Chris was ticketed for hitchhiking (p. 31) in which the unpaid ticket had shown up in Walt and Billie's mailbox. His parents were very concerned as they got in touch with Peter Kalitka, a private investigator, to find Chris. He soon enters Mexico on December 2 as he paddles through the open floodgates (p. 34) to avoid being denied entry. His journal entry for December 5 records that "Alex finds Mexicans to be warm, friendly people." After spending a month in Mexico, he attempts to sneak back into the United States but ends up spending a night in custody (p. 36) as he was caught my immigration authorities and his gun was also taken. He camps at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with a young German couple and returns to the Detrital Wash on February 24, later hitching into Las Vegas and finding a job at an Italian restaurant. Chris records in his journal: "God it's great to be alive! Thank you."

Analysis: The series of events in this chapter keep adding up and it gets crazier as more time passes by. I'm glad Chris continued to persevere and didn't let anything beat him up. I would've been scared for my life fighting the water and currents. He constantly has a positive attitude and I admire that.

#almostdrownedbutstillalive #belovedDatsun #alwaysonthemove

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Summary: Wayne Westerberg discusses what he remembers about "Alex" with Krakauer in the small town of Carthage, South Dakota with a population of 274. Westerberg had picked up Chris on September 10, 1990 whose destination was Saco Hot Springs but he ended up rolling along with Wayne and his crew due to it being a late night with heavy rain. Chris was considered the hardest worker (p. 18), one who was also ethical and intelligent (p. 18). He grows a long lasting bond with both the small town and Wayne Westerberg. Krakauer tells of how Chris was raised in the upper middle-class but has a tough relationship with his parents, Walt and Billie. He was a student that insisted "titles and honors are irrelevant." After graduation, Chris plans to disappear (p. 21) for a while but none of his parents really thought anything of this. The last they hear from him however, is towards the end of June, with a brief note along with his final grade report. Chris's parents decide to drive down to Atlanta to visit him in August 1990 as they had heard nothing from him just to find that his apartment was completely empty (p. 22) with a FOR RENT sign. He had already left with his belongings five weeks earlier and was ready to make a new life for himself as Alexander, the master of his own destiny (p. 23).

Analysis: I admire Chris's positive characteristics and energy that he has since it really helps him make progress as he is alone on his journey. However, I think it is super selfish of him to just leave his family like that and only have them hear from him once before he leaves. I understand that there have been personal family problems we may not know about, but I don't think it would've hurt to try and keep in contact with them or let them know what he's going to be up to.

#Carthageishome #newlifenewname #byemomanddad

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Summary: The route of the Stampede Trail was a short, impassable (p. 10) path that lead to Bus 142, Chris' home for a few months. Ken Thompson and his friends set out for the trail on September 6, 1992. When they arrive, they noticed a "real bad smell," a red makeshift signal (p. 12) flag, and an SOS note inside the abandoned vehicle. Gordon Samel takes a look into the interior to find a dead body in a blue sleeping bag. State troopers came the next morning to take his body and his belongings: a camera roll with film, the SOS note, and diary (p. 13) with 113 entries. An autopsy (p. 13) was performed at the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory but it was impossible to determine when he had died due to how badly decomposed the remains were. Starvation (p. 14) was the only probable reason for cause of death and unfortunately, he could not be identified by authorities as there was no identification sources that could be found.

Analysis: It's so sad that Chris' final days were lonely and help did not come in time. I can't imagine how painful his last days were and how he felt when he knew his time was coming to an end. The hope that he probably had when coming back after leaving the note is sad to think about, too.

#bus142ishome #RIPMcCandless #helpcamelate

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Summary: Into the Wild tells a story of Christopher Johnson McCandless, a congenial and well educated (p. 5) young man that only wants to live life playing by his own rules. In the first chapter, he starts his foolhardy (p.5) journey by hitchhiking and going off with the name, Alex. Jim Gallien, an electrician, picked up Alex and was concerned (p.5) with how unprepared Chris was as "his gear seemed exceedingly minimal for harsh conditions of the interior." Alex remained determined (p. 6) to take on this adventure as Gallien tried to persuade and scare him from going on this trip with bear stories. Gallien continued to offer Alex some essentials such as his watch, comb, money, socks, and food but Alex still refused. He is dropped off at the head of the Stampede Trail on April 28, 1992 and Gallien considered telling the authorities about Alex but he figured that Alex would be okay.

Analysis: I respect that Chris is so certain about his plans after leaving everything behind. I wonder what his thought process was when he decided to drop everything because if I had what he had and I wanted to travel, I would've just made a round trip. I feel like he should've took some of Gallien's offers as it would prepared him better for his journey. One of his obvious characteristics is being extremely stubborn.

#norules #livinglife #feelinggutsy