Blog #29: Nature Writing

Christopher McCandless' adventures were indeed admirable and noble. His struggles were beneficial and maybe even necessary for him to blossom and become who he needed to be. Surviving a near death experience does make you a better human. It makes you realize that you are not immortal and maybe question what you have been doing and why you may have been doing this. He risked his life day-to-day, ventured where some of us only daydream, and lived his life the way he wanted to. To see the world, and live a full life.

We can't start a story midway through now can we? Every story had a beginning, including this one. McCandless did not agree with his parents materialistic view on life. They were a privileged family with quite a bit of wealth, But Christopher was a simpler man and enjoyed his inexpensive things and the memories they shared, more than new expensive items. He eventually left on his own to hitchhike to Alaska.

Christopher risked his life on a daily basis. Walking through the desert with a low amount of water, Kayaking through white water without previous experience or advise, venturing to Alaska without proper gear and provisions. We all know Christopher had risked his life in basically everything he did and everywhere he went, but its important to know this because it proves that he not only stuck with his dream, but he also obtained his dream in the end. He made it to Alaska. He did exactly what he had wanted to do. At the end of his adventure, we all knew that we all are not immortal.

Christopher McCandless had traveled all over North America. Places like Arizona, California, South Dakota, and down the Colorado river to the Gulf of California. This is quite a feat for a young man right out of college with no experience besides a road trip here and there. Most of us rarely even get to go out to our grandparent's or relative's houses for the holidays. This man ventured across North America by himself. That is impressive.

Christopher McCandless lived a life some of us can only dream of. Seeing things most people don't get to see, experiencing the rough experiences the world has to offer, and getting away from the things that were holding him back. Living the dream some might say. He followed that dream until the end, while most of us compromise or even completely abandon our dreams. Thus why his adventures were admirable and noble.

Blog 28: Nature Writing Essay ( Into The Wild)

Do you feel, as one letter writer did, that there is “nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’ lifestyle or wilderness doctrine …surviving a near death experience does not make you a better human it makes you damn lucky” (116); or do you see something admirable or noble in his struggles and adventures?

His adventures were indeed admirable or noble. His struggles were beneficial and maybe even necessary for him to blossom and become who he needed to be. Surviving a near death experience does make you a better human. It makes you realize that you are not immortal and maybe question what you have been doing and why you may have been doing this. He risked his life day-to-day, ventured where some of us only daydream, and lived his life the way he wanted to. To see the world, and live a full life.


Paragraph #1: How he risked his life, how he survived, and why is it important?

Paragraph #2: Where he visited, why is it beneficial or relevant?

Paragraph #3: Why did he venture off in the first place? Why did he want to go to Alaska/hitchhike?

Blog #27: Nature Writing

1. We do not know the real reason for him leaving, and wanting to go back to civilization. We do know that he was indeed trying and had a book by Tolstoy. The book was about living with other people and being with family and such. Maybe Chris needed to just be with friends and people he cared about. Maybe he got tired of being alone all the time.

2. I believe that McCandless would agree with this statement. If the youth did what was completely acceptable and what was asked of them, no new discoveries or adventures would be accomplished. Elders will almost always disapprove of their youth venturing off into the unknown. They will find it foolish, or even childish. These choices to venture off are necessary. To find one's self and also to discovery what other people may have never seen before.

3. I wouldn't say that his adventures were noble or admirable, but I would say that they are eventually worth the struggle. He found pure happiness that people can't find with just living with materialism or the day-to-day stresses and struggles.

Blog 26: Professional exhibition

http://www.arenapharm.com/wt/page/home.html Arena Pharm.
http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer Easter Seals.
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/ Scripps Birch Aquarium.
http://www.symbolicmotors.com/ Symbolic Motors


Arena Pharmaceuticals: Tom Evans - Tevans@arenapharm.com

Easter Seals - Julianne Attaway - juliattaway@gmail.com

Birch Aquarium - Kristin Evans (recently married, do not know new last name) - N/A for now

Symbolic Motors - William Attaway - Household connection (will post asap)



Dates: Whenever possible. May be long term.

Locations: All are on site at their buildings

Arena : Mira Mesa
Easter Seals: Narrowing down locations
Scripps Birch: At aquarium
Symbolic Motors: Either in the workshop or at the La Jolla location


Requirements: I know nothing of this at this moment in time, I am currently in contact with 3 out of 4 options and will post my progress (or update you) as soon as I receive information in these categories