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When I was in first grade, I saw a man who was selling some colorful fish. I bought 2 guppy fishes and kept them in a vat. I was amazed by them. I spent hours just watching those fish swimming around and eating. A few days later, they even had babies. That's what is amazing about this hobby. I was excited to see them growing up. From that moment, I always look for those tiny creatures when I'm at the beach or river. Those snails and jellyfish never fail to surprise me. My dream is to diving with some beautiful fish and corals from different oceans because seeing them makes me feel peaceful. Now, I neither have any experience in diving nor take steps to make my wish happen. But I hope in the future I will have a chance to dive under the seas and see fish such as clownfish, stingrays, or sharks in the wild.

#notSharksinMovies #NEMO20?? #LifeOfSea

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Summary: Krakauer thought that the H alpinum seeds (p. 4) themselves were toxic, but since the analysis of the seeds found no poisonous compound, he believed that the mold on the seeds poisoned Chris. He kept pondering for 23 years about what (p. 2) exactly did Chris in. After reading Ronald Hamilton's essay about poisonings in the seeds, Krakauer tested the seeds and found beta-ODAP (p. 6), an amino acid that can cause lathyrism in humans. His report in 2013 was not widely accepted, so he did a more thorough test. He found out that it was not beta-ODAP but a similar acid, L-canavanine (p. 9). The legumes usually store this acid to ward off predators in midsummer. One lesson (p. 19) learned from Chris's death is not to eat one part even if the other part of the plants is edible.

Analysis: McCandless didn't die because he was arrogant. He survived in the wilderness for 113 days and he could walk out of the forest. However, the guidebook he read didn't warn about the seeds of H alpinum, and he got unlucky...

#DangerousPotatoSeeds #RanOutOfLuck #113DaysOdyssey

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Chris McCandless A.K.A Alexander Supertramp - master of his own destiny

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Summary: 10 months after Chris's death, his parents and Krkauer visited the magic bus (pg. 201). His father was not happy but his mother looked forward to this trip. They wanted to travel (pg. 201) overland as Chris did. However, the Taklanika River was rising, so they used a helicopter. They believed that Chris loved (pg. 202) the place. They entered the bus after 30 minutes of walking outside. They found a mattress, their son's boots, his handwriting on the wall, his toothbrush, spoon, jeans, etc. This time, the mother didn't cry but tried to convince herself that her son was brave (pg. 202) till the end. They installed a memorial plaque for their son on the bus and left a suitcase of supplies that could help others. They were grateful (pg. 203) for the trip because they learned a little more about their own son.

Analysis: Chris's parents learned more about him, but he still baffled them in some ways. He left his home and wealth behind to live in a "small" bus. He did enjoy his adventures. However, he didn't survive and that would hurt his parents forever.

#BraveSon   #GetKnowingTheBoy #LiveYourWay?

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Summary: This chapter is about Chris McCandless's time after giving up crossing the Teklanika. On July 8, he returned to the bus. He went back to his routine of hunting and gathering. The last book that he read was "Doctor Zhivago", and his notes in the book might suggest that he was ready to open his heart (pg. 189) to people. On July 30, he wrote in his journal that he was extremely weak and starving (pg. 189). There are 3 possible theories that caused McCandless's downfall. 1: He ate the potato seeds bought in South Dakota, and they poisoned him (pg. 190) (not likely because he didn't carry much of the seeds or didn't carry them at all). 2: He confused poisonous wild sweet pea Hedysarum mackenzii with edible wild potato Hedysarum alpinum (not likely because he did steered away from the toxic plants). 3: The toxic mold of Rhizoctonia leguminicola grew on seeds of H. alpinum, and McCandless ate them. This is the most plausible theory. Animals in robust condition can recover from the swainsonine poisoning but McCandless was too lean and hungry (pg. 195). With a map, McCandless would have found 3 cabins with 4-6 miles range, but those cabins might not be helpful since they were vandalized. On August 12, he went out for berries and left a S.O.S note pleading for assistance. He suffered pain (pg. 198) from starvation. A day from August 13 - 18, McCandless wrote his adios. He probably died on August 18.

Analysis: 2 owners of the cabins believed Chris destroyed their cabins. But he donated all of his money to fight hunger, so he would not waste food like that. He could set a forest fire for signal but it was not him, even in the most dire situation. 112 days the lone man walked into the wild, and he was at peace...

#AdiosEveryone #OneLife #AloneButNotLonely?

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Summary: This chapter is about Krakauer, Roman Dial, Dan Soliea, and Andrew Liske retracing McCandless's time in the wild. Krakauer had a map (pg. 173) with him, unlike McCandless. With the map, they found a thick cable spanning the river (pg. 173) and used it to cross the Teklanika. McCandless didn't know that. Getting to the trail was a little difficult because of the indistinct route, beavers, trees, etc. They finally reached the Fairbanks bus 142 (pg. 176). They found the bones of McCandless's hunting games. Chris shot a moose but some people thought that he shot a caribou. People criticized his ignorance, but it is true that he shot a moose. Entering the vehicle, the group found McCandless's possessions (pg. 178): a mattress, canteen, paints, water-purification tablets, a box of matches, Gallien's boots, pots, dishes, leather scabbard, toothbrush, 2 pairs of jeans, toenail clippers, tent, etc. It was as if they intruded on his bedroom while he was away. He was not reckless, but he needed to test (pg. 182) himself. Krakauer and his companions talked about the eager, young man they'd never met. Roman believed that Chris was skilled but screwed up.

Analysis: Chris had done some amazing adventures, but he screwed up his greatest odyssey. He didn't take the map because he wanted the land to be incognita. Through his extended time in the bush, he might have directed his attention inward to himself and outward to his family...

#UnknownLand #WonderTheUnknownBoy #DontEnterMyBedroom

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McCandless is excited over his biggest prize.

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Summary: This chapter is about McCandless's adventure in Alaska. He left Carthage on April 15, 1992. He took a ride on Alaska Highway and arrived at Liard River Hotsprings on Apr 21. 2 days later, Gaylord Stuckey reluctantly gave him a ride, and he became fond of McCandless. Chris arrived at Fairbanks on April 25. He studied plants in a university's library and bought a gun (pg. 160). On Apr 28, Jim Gallien gave McCandless a ride to Stampede Trail on the George Parks Highway. On May 1, he found his magic bus (pg. 163). He became pro at hunting (pg. 164). He decided to walk 500 miles to tidewater but failed after about 15 miles; he turned back to the bus on May 19. He finished "Family Happiness" by Tolstoy on July 2. He might forgive his parents? On July 3, he decided to walk out (pg. 169) of the bush. However, when he reached the Teklanika River, he couldn't cross it like the first time because of the snowmelt (pg. 170). He was "scared and lonely" (pg. 170). He decided to return to the bus and wait.

Analysis: It was really cool that he hunted a moose for the first time, but he failed to keep the meat. If he had been out of the bush, I think he would had forgiven his parents. The east and south of the bus in 15 - 30 miles have civilization but he failed to reach them. It is really sad that his escape only 1 mile away...

#AestheticVoyager #MagicBush #BadLuck

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Southeast Side - the route to summit the mountain

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Summary: After coming down from the mountain, he was struggled between trying again or giving up the challenge. He smoked and accidentally burnt a part of his tent. At that moment, he thought about his father who was a complicated person. His father set expectations (pg. 147) for him to become a doctor. Krakauer didn't follow the course and their relationship became widened (pg. 148). However, he inherited his father's ambition (pg. 150). He tried to climb the mountain again but failed at 120 feet. He remembered an "easier" route, the southeast side of the mountain, that he had intentionally skipped. After 2 days of climbing, he was on top (pg. 153) of the Devils Thumb. The challenge lasted 20 days, but people at the bar didn't care about his achievement. He had no death (pg. 155) wish and believed that Chris was like him.

Analysis: He took pictures at the top of the mountain, but I think he felt it not neccessary to show them to convince Freeman's skepticism. Jon Krakauer achieved his goal but the mountain didn't fix him. But he got a good tale to tell people...

#HearMyTale? #YouthPassion #20DaysNoShower

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Devils Thumb is a mountain. Elevation: 9,077′

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Summary: This chapter is about John Krakauer's own adventure in Alaska. the Devils Thumb is a north wall and the author decided to climb (pg. 134) the mountain alone (pg. 135). He was 23, and he believed that climbing the mountain will transform his life. He anticipated (pg. 138) dangers of the journey such as crevasses. But he still took the risk as Chris did. He had no company and he was terrified (pg. 140) by the hazard. He also felt panic when waiting for the pilot to drop the supply for 4 days. Because of the good weather, he tried to gather his courage to continue climbing. He overcame the terror that pulled him back and became to trust his self-control as he climbed higher. He climbed until he couldn't go any further. He writes: "The only place was to go down" (pg. 144).

Analysis: I would also feel hopeless like him when days into a dangerous place without company. He was physically and mentally tough because he reached an altitude of 3700 feet. But I think he was really disappointed because he couldn't finish his ultimate goal.

#FeelAbandoned #HeartSinks #DangerEverywhere

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Summary: This chapter is mainly about Carine McCandless's reaction to her brother's death. Chris wanted to take Buckley with him before he vanished, but the dog (pg. 128) was recovering. His family thinks that if Chris had taken Buckley with him, he wouldn't have taken any risks (pg. 128) that could harm the dog. Carine and Chris were alike, and people might think they were twins. On Sep 17, 1992, she got the bad news about her brother. She was totally broken. The next day, she and Sam went to Fairbanks to bring home (pg.131) Chris's remains. Chris's sister and mother lost weight and deeply grieved (pg. 129) for him. The bereavement (pg. 132) of Chris's family is too big.

Analysis: Chris spent his last years running from home but he came home eventually. His family is deeply wounded because of his free spirit. If he had been attached to Buckley, how things would have turned out?

#TakeTheChance #ComeHome #BiggestLoss

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Summary: On June 10 1986, Chris celebrated his father's birthday and then left for an adventure. When he came back for the fall term, he lost 30 pounds and nearly died from dehydration in the Mojave Desert. His parents were worried for his safety, but their advice (pg. 119) didn't affect him. Chris's personality (pg. 120) could be caring or impatient and shaped by monomania. In summer of 1986, Chris traveled to his hometown, El Segundo, and found out the truth (pg. 117) about his father. His father used to live 2 separate lives with Marcia and Billie at the same time. He let his resentment (pg. 122) build up through college years, but he didn't confront his parents. He grew emotionally distant from his parents over time. When Chris got his diploma, he vanished (pg. 125) from everyone.

Analysis: Carine believed that his brother failed to write because Chris was scared that his parents could find him. I think his parents didn't know that Chris found the truth. He let his anger build up and planned to get it out of his mind. Chris brought a gun and knife with him in college... kinda mad.

#PlanInMind #TheTruth #VanishLikeSmoke

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Summary: Walt and Billie are the parents of Chris McCandless. Walt and Chris are strong-willed and smart. In 1965, Walt's marriage was in trouble, and he started dating Billie. Chris was born on Dec 12, 1685. When his parents started their own business, they worked (pg. 107) all the time and didn't give much time to their children. Because of the fights between Billie and Walt, Carine and Chris became really close. Chris and a high achiever (pg. 109) in school, music, and sports. Chris always pushed himself and internalized (pg. 112) the results that he wasn't satisfied with. Chris often described his parents to his friend Kris Gillmer as tyrants (pg. 115). Chris didn't like wealth (pg, 115) but he started making little money when he was young. In the spring of 1986, a company that Chris worked for offered to pay for his college graduation next year if he keeps working. However, Chris spent his summer on his journey and no one knew that he became more and more distant.

Analysis: Chris's parents worked hard to provide for their children. But it turned out that they weren't entirely successful. I think Carine was really disappointed when her close brother that she counts on left her without a message.

#CuteKid #YoungEntrepreneur #InitialJourney

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Summary: This chapter was about identifying who the dead hiker was. On September 10, 1992, Jim Gallien happened to read the news (pg. 99) about that mysterious hiker and told the state troopers that the dead man might be Alex from South Dakota. On September 13, Westerberg listened to a broadcast about Alex's death (pg. 100), and he helped to further the investigation because he had Chris's SSN. The troopers reached Virginia but McCandless's family had moved to Maryland. With luck, the number of Sam McCandless, Chris's stepbrother, was in the book (pg. 101). Ironically, he read the bad news, but he didn't think the hiker would be Chris McCandless. Sam McCandless was shown his stepbrother's photograph (pg. 100). When thinking about telling his parents, he says: "How do you tell someone that their child is dead" (pg. 102).

Analysis: The coincidences that led to identifying Chris McCandless were amazing. He was so far from home, but there were still friends who helped him after he passed away. I think his parents were shocked when found the truth.

#LostChild #GauntHiker #BadNews

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In Search of Everette Ruess in Davis Gulch

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Summary: This chapter talks about Everette Ruess, who was really into the wilderness (pg. 87) like Chris McCandless. Ruess was born in 1914 to a nomadic (pg. 89) family. Only when he was 16, he spent his summer hitchhiking in the wild. He got his high school diploma but dropped out of college after 1 semester. He wanted to spend his life on the move despite its difficulties. Ruess was a "lone wanderer of wilderness" (pg. 91). Both McCandless and Ruess wanted to live their lives in the beauty of nature. Ruess changed his name twice and then went back to his original name. He often sent mails while traveling. 3 months after his last mail in Nov 1934, Ruess's parents contacted the authorities and started searching for him. Searchers twice saw his mark: NEMO 1934. Many theories were created about his mysterious disappearance. Nemo means nobody in Latin, and it is also the name of the pure-hearted character (pg. 94) of his favorite fiction adventure novel, Twenty Thousands Leauge Under the Sea. Ruess and Chris McCandless "tried to follow their dream" (pg. 96).

Analysis: In one of his letters, Ruess wrote that some friends didn't understand his motive, and I think that McCandless could. Ruess made some friends during his odyssey but he didn't settle down. He kept moving as if to merely explore the wilderness.

#ALoneWanderer #TheCaptain #LastLetter

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McCandless and his sister, Carine McCandless

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Summary: In March, Alex arrived at Carthage and worked at Westerberg's grain elevator. He planned to buy new gear (pg. 62) and leave on April 15. Alex was a hard-working man. He also knew how to cook and play the piano. Alex has an independent nature, but his parents kept trying to control him. Alex once told his sister, Carine, that he would "divorce his parents" (pg. 64). But in Carthage, McCandless got along with people there. McCandless was attracted by women but he was "as chaste as a monk." His passion for nature was more powerful than "the excitement of the flesh." McCandless headed for Alaska on April 15. Alex also wrote mails for Westerberg and Jan Burres. His mails also suggested his death and that those mails might be the last communication (pg. 69) they might hear from him.

Analysis: I admired McCandless's determination because when he said to do something, he did that. He even promised to return in time for the autumn harvest. But he could never keep that promise...

#PianoMan #TheWanderingMind #FatalAdventure

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Summary: After departing from Slab City, Alex arrived at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. In mid-January 1992, Alex met Ronald Franz (fake name), an eighty years old man. Franz is a veteran, and his wife and his son were killed (pg. 50) in a car accident. Franz tried to convince McCandless to settle his life. That didn't work, and McCandless even lectured Franz to sell most of his belongings, and live on the road (pg. 51). Franz grew fond of McCandless, and even taught him secrets to make a leather belt. McCandless left his camp in early February, and that made the old man sad. However, he still kept in touch with Franz and Jan. McCandless met Franz again in March, and he was eager for a job at Carthage. On the trip to Grand Junction, Franz confessed that he wanted to adopt McCandless. The young man fled (pg. 55) from the request. In early April, McCandless sent a mail to convince Franz to give up the life of security and "make each day a new horizon" (pg. 57). The old man took the young man's advice. Franz waited for the day that McCandless returns. The day after Christmas in 1992, Franz picked up 2 hitchhikers and learned about McCandless's death through the conversation. Franz couldn't believe that God let the special (pg. 60) boy die.

Analysis: It is a sad story that Franz waited for so long to hear bad news and not McCandless's return. He was a soldier, and he had seen bad things. His wife and son at home also got killed. If McCandless had returned, Franz's life would have been happier.

#WhyGod?    #HitTheRoad     #SpecialBoy

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Summary: In October 1991, McCandless arrived at Bullhead City, Arizona. A crowded place would not appeal (pg. 39) him. However, He lived there for about 2 months and even got a full-time job at McDonald's. The young man was forced to wear socks while working, and he took them off right after his shift to show that no one owns (pg. 40) him. He quit the job after 3 weeks because he was not happy with the policy. He lived in the desert for the first few weeks; then, he lived in a trailer for free. In August 1990, McCandless got help from drifters Jan Burres and Bob. In December 1991, they decided to meet again, and McCandless got to them first. They lived at Slabs, a place that attracts drifters, vagabonds on cold seasons. McCandless had been infatuated (pg. 44) by tales about nature by London since he was young. He got along with people there. McCandless often talked about his plans for Alaska and prepared for them by working out and learning survival strategies. Burres tried to mother (pg. 45) McCandless, but he got peeved (pg. 45). McCandless decided to move on. Burres tried to give McCandless some money, but McCandless was offended by that. Burres was worried but she believed that McCandless would figure out (pg. 46) Alaska.

Analysis: It would have been a shock if his co-workers at McDonald had found where McCandless lived. I think McCandless was pretty handsome to have a girl crush him. I think he had a happy time with Burres and Bob at Slabs.

#Fastfood #takeabath #figureoutAlaska

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Summary: In October 1990, a group of rangers found the car of McCandless at Detrital Wash. On July 6, he arrived in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 2 days later, the flood made the engine of the car (pg. 27) dead. He didn't want to notify the authority. So he left the car he loved and continue his odyssey on foot (pg. 29). On July 10, he hiked at Lake Mead and got heatstroke. At the end of July, a guy named Crazy Ernie tricked McCandless to work for him but didn't pay money. After 11 days, McCandless resumed his journey. On August 10, McCandless got a ticket (pg. 31) for hiking around Willow Creek. He gave his parents' address to the authority and that made his parents hire an investigator to find him. On October 28, he bought a canoe (pg. 32) and paddle to the Gulf of California. He lost the way, but he got helped. On January 18, 1991, he was back in the U.S but his gun was taken by the authority. He lost weight but "his spirit is soaring" (pg. 37). He still continued his journey.

Analysis: I admire his determination. He didn't give up when confront with hardships. He was also lucky to get help along the way. He also is grateful when he wrote letters for people who helped him (not his family though). McCandless was "living" his life.

#Goodtobealive #highspirit #Baggageislight

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Summary: On September 10, 1990, Wayne Westerberg drove out of Cut Bank and saw McCandless. Westerberg described that the hitchhiker had a good look and looked hungry (pg. 17). Due to the rain, Westerberg asked McCandless to stay for a night with him at Sunburst. Westerberg offered McCandless a job. He was hard-working and intelligent (pg. 18). McCandless became enamored of Carthage (pg. 18). McCandless left the place on October 23 because Westerberg went away to serve his sentence. McCandless came from a wealthy family. His father and mother misread (pg.20) McCandless that he would donate all his money and go away. McCandless was mad when his parents decide to buy him a car. Since a high school senior, McCandless used to disappear (pg. 21) for a trip. In June 1990, he disappeared to be free (pg. 23). He changed his name to "Alexander Supertramp, master of his own destiny."

Analysis: I think he didn't feel close to his family. But I think he was not right when leaving without saying anything to his parent or sister. But I do admire him because not everyone has the courage to cut off from their life to live free.

#livefree #wolfeddown #goodbye

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Summary: The bus that McCandless lived in has been there since the 1960s. But his "home" was obliterated (pg. 10) over decades. On September 6, 1992, 3 Alaskans went to the bus. They described that reaching the Stampede Trail was not easy (pg. 11). 3 Alaskans reached the bus and saw 2 people standing there. All of them noticed the bad smell, signal flag, and an SOS note (pg. 12). Samel went on the bus and found the body of McCandless and his belongings. Another man arrived and called Alaska State Troopers to take over. The authority found the corpse weighed 67 pounds and believed the cause of death was starvation (pg. 14). But the authority didn't know anything about the young man.

Analysis: Although I already knew McCandless would die, I am still struck by this chapter. I also feel sad to imagine how desperate McCandless was through his SOS note and his painful death. If people had found him 3 weeks earlier, he would still have been alive.

#whoisthisman? #lonely #journeyisstarted

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Summary: Christopher Johnson McCandless was a young man who was waiting for a car and shivering (pg. 3) in the cold of Alaska. Jim Gallien rode by and gave him a ride to the edge of Denali National Park. His gear (pg.5) appeared to be not enough for hunting, navigating, or crafting. Gallien understood the harsh conditions of Alaska and tried to dissuade (pg. 5) him. However, McCandless was not discouraged but seemed to be determined and excited (pg.6) to head to Stampede Trail. Gallien dropped McCandless at the trailhead on Tuesday, April 28, 1992. McCandless worried about how much he owed the driver. Gallien was worried about the young man but he thought that any normal person (pg.7) would go out to the highway if he/she gets hungry.

Analysis: I like McCandless's determination because he didn't give up when heard disheartening stories. I also admire his grateful attitude toward the driver. But I think he should come more prepared for this kind of challenge.

#YOLO #itscrazytobeok #cornchips