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Chris' first trip west
A few days after Chris graduates high school, he leaves to spend a summer out west. Chris nearly succumbs to dehydration while travelling and returns to his family days before the start of college. He lost lots of weight. This trip displays his independence and bravery, since he had only just gotten out of school when he made the trip. It also shows that he may have been willing to sacrifice his body in the process of doing what he loved. -
Chris' second trip west
In the spring of 1989, Chris decides to go out west again. Originally wanting to go to Guatemala, he decides to visit Alaska instead. Throughout his trips west during his college years, Chris hardly remained in contact with his loved ones. These trips show how Chris could be fiercely independent. -
Chris starts his journey
In the spring of 1990, after graduating from Emory University, Chris packs up his car, donates all his money, leaving his family behind. Throughout this journey, he does not contact them at all. -
Chris abandons his car
After driving directly west from Emory, Chris abandons his car at Detrital Wash, Arizona. Inside the car is a 25-pound bag of rice, $5 in change, and a guitar Chris received years before. This act of abandoning his special belongings illuminate his anti-materialistic viewpoints. -
Chris leaves South Dakota for Mexico
About a month after arriving, Chris, now insisting his name is Alex, leaves South Dakota and heads for Mexico after his employer/friend Wayne Westerberg is arrested. -
Chris stops at San Diego
After settling down for a year, Chris meets Ronald Franz, an 80-year-old man whom he forges a strong bond with. In fact, Franz suggested to Chris that he wants to adopt him as his grandson. Chris declines, says he'll consider it after he's done camping in Alaska, and eventually decides to leave Franz, heading to San Diego. Chris' reasoning for declining Franz's implies he wants to accomplish his goal before making any major life decisions. -
Chris returns to South Dakota
Chris contacts Franz, who picks him up and drops him off at Grand Junction, Colorado. From there, Chris travels back to South Dakota to work for Wayne again. -
Chris leaves South Dakota for Alaska
Chris leaves Wayne again and makes his way to Alaska where he intended to live off the land. Chris' acts of leaving behind his family and all the companions he met on his journey show his insistence and devotion to accomplish his goal of spending time living off the Alaskan wild.