Greetings from Fairbanks!

Almost a year ago I read an article in a magazine about the story of Chris McCandless, the article inspired me to read the book about his life called "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. I read the book and became fascinated with this story. What interested me the most was not that he lived off the land or experienced some unique adventures, but it was the reason for his journey that got me interested in his story. I don't want to use my blog space or take the time to explain his story or my feelings about his story, but just to let the readers of my blog know that this story is a fascinating and interesting story that catches emotions and feelings throughout. I know that there are some who feel different about this and think that what he did was out of ignorance and stupidity, maybe his actions were a result of such but the reason for his journey and what he discovered were not.
Shortly after I finished reading the book it was released as a movie in September 0f 2007. It wasn't in the theaters in Vegas very long and I missed my opportunity to see it, but this past week it was finally released in DVD. Nicole and I rented it just the other night and we both greatly enjoyed it. For those that haven't seen it, here is the trailer:



The movie was great, but honestly I enjoyed reading the book better. The movie did portray a lot of the books written imagery very well, almost as I imagined it would have been. I do not want to idolize Chris McCandless, it was not him so much that I ponder about but more of why he did what he did. Here are some quotes and thoughts from McCandless:

"I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong."

"If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed."

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."

"Happiness only real when shared."

"You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living."

I can only imagine that there are thousands of individuals who embark on journeys much like this one and experience many of the same outcomes as Chris McCandless. So why is it that this particular one has gained interest in the millions that learn of it? I think there is a fascination that comes from learning the stories of those that no longer live, especially those that lived a life of such complication and simplicity. I am sure that Chris McCandless was no different then many others...he just wrote it down. A life once lived in only as memorable as the words written about it.