Comments on: Alex Supertramp http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/ Occasionally Spiritual Ruminations on What We're All Running After Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:04:10 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jen http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-421 Jen Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:11:21 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-421 I just finished reading "Into the Wild" a few days ago - for the first time - just for enjoyment - I had no idea what it was about -I had not heard of it before. BUT - I lived in Astoria Oregon from 1988 thru 1997 and I remember my husband bringing home an Alex one evening in 1990 or 1991, or around then - for beers and such. It was the same Alex although at the time I did not really care or want to know him - he was a kid -we were in our late 30's then and had 2 very young sons (3 and 9) so I didn't pay that much attention although he seemed nice enough but my husband had a knack for bringing home seedy fellows so I didn't hold Alex in much respect at that time. I have no memory of what they talked about but I do recall he was respectful to me, but then most of the seedy fellows were, so's I wouldn't throw them out the back door! Alex was gone the next day and we never heard of him again. I of course wish now that I had paid more attention. I remember very little about him and had completely forgotten about the incident until I read the book and after doing a little research, I realize this was the same Alex. I feel so bad for his parents. Our own sons are in their mid-20's now and I know how devastated I would be if something like that happened to one of my boys. I can completely relate to Billie McCandless waking up in the middle of the night in July 1992 with an extremely strong feeling that her son was asking for her help. What a heartbreaking story. If you think he was smart, dumb, brave or cowardly, it is still a heart wrenching story. But I do agree with nck that Alex was absolutely not prepared for what he was up against. So my message is to young Adults - please keep in touch with your parents no matter what - they need to know that you are ok. I just finished reading “Into the Wild” a few days ago – for the first time – just for enjoyment – I had no idea what it was about -I had not heard of it before. BUT – I lived in Astoria Oregon from 1988 thru 1997 and I remember my husband bringing home an Alex one evening in 1990 or 1991, or around then – for beers and such. It was the same Alex although at the time I did not really care or want to know him – he was a kid -we were in our late 30’s then and had 2 very young sons (3 and 9) so I didn’t pay that much attention although he seemed nice enough but my husband had a knack for bringing home seedy fellows so I didn’t hold Alex in much respect at that time. I have no memory of what they talked about but I do recall he was respectful to me, but then most of the seedy fellows were, so’s I wouldn’t throw them out the back door! Alex was gone the next day and we never heard of him again. I of course wish now that I had paid more attention. I remember very little about him and had completely forgotten about the incident until I read the book and after doing a little research, I realize this was the same Alex. I feel so bad for his parents. Our own sons are in their mid-20’s now and I know how devastated I would be if something like that happened to one of my boys. I can completely relate to Billie McCandless waking up in the middle of the night in July 1992 with an extremely strong feeling that her son was asking for her help. What a heartbreaking story. If you think he was smart, dumb, brave or cowardly, it is still a heart wrenching story. But I do agree with nck that Alex was absolutely not prepared for what he was up against. So my message is to young Adults – please keep in touch with your parents no matter what – they need to know that you are ok.

]]> By: nck http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-420 nck Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:13:04 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-420 It wasn't courage, it was stupidity. He had no IDEA what was ahead. Courage is facing dangers you KNOW yo will face. He was in la la land as far as knowing what he faced. His only idea of that type of life was what he read in books. A clean, warm version of the hardships that are present in attempting to live in the wild. IF he had studied, came prepared and KNEW what to do, THAT would have been courage, whether he lived or died. His story is an example of what happens when you have a storybook version of nature in your mind. It wasn’t courage, it was stupidity. He had no IDEA what was ahead. Courage is facing dangers you KNOW yo will face. He was in la la land as far as knowing what he faced.

His only idea of that type of life was what he read in books. A clean, warm version of the hardships that are present in attempting to live in the wild.

IF he had studied, came prepared and KNEW what to do, THAT would have been courage, whether he lived or died.

His story is an example of what happens when you have a storybook version of nature in your mind.

]]> By: Tia http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-279 Tia Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:01:03 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-279 I was thoroughly touched by his story and have been occasionally and actively researching his name and all I can find on his life and his story. I dont, however, believe he needed jesus in his life--I felt he was on an adventure into the wild, away from the populated human world to a place bigger than his heart, maybe to find some truth and beauty for his ever throbbing and ebbing soul of his. your story, however, was very informative. I was thoroughly touched by his story and have been occasionally and actively researching his name and all I can find on his life and his story. I dont, however, believe he needed jesus in his life–I felt he was on an adventure into the wild, away from the populated human world to a place bigger than his heart, maybe to find some truth and beauty for his ever throbbing and ebbing soul of his. your story, however, was very informative.

]]> By: Marie M Galego http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-200 Marie M Galego Thu, 15 May 2008 01:41:15 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-200 I will never, never forget this young man. I am nearly 49 and wish to GOD that I had the courage and the will to do what he did. The world is only getting worse, and the wilderness is our friend. I will be retiring in two years after my daughter leaves for college, and my husband and I will follow some of those steps that Chris took. I applaud him all the way. Marie I will never, never forget this young man. I am nearly 49 and wish to GOD that I had the courage and the will to do what he did. The world is only getting worse, and the wilderness is our friend. I will be retiring in two years after my daughter leaves for college, and my husband and I will follow some of those steps that Chris took. I applaud him all the way.

Marie

]]> By: Brendan http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-162 Brendan Fri, 02 May 2008 21:32:51 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-162 I hate people like Matthew who don't finish reading something before they comment. I hate people like Matthew who don’t finish reading something before they comment.

]]> By: Dave http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-153 Dave Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:18:13 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-153 I remember hearing a bunch of hype about this "rebellious kid who wonders himself into the woods of alaska after a long departure from home" I just watched the movie about this, and what I heard was completely wrong. This story is about a free spirit who wanted to actually live life, not how the average person does... always running on some schedule, needing needless things, wanting more. I have started reading "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild" by Jack London, and a few others by Thoreau. I have to say watching this movie and reading all the info I can about Mccandless has pretty much gave me a new insight on life, and I am now positive I will take the journey to be able to see Bus 142 with my own eyes I remember hearing a bunch of hype about this “rebellious kid who wonders himself into the woods of alaska after a long departure from home” I just watched the movie about this, and what I heard was completely wrong. This story is about a free spirit who wanted to actually live life, not how the average person does… always running on some schedule, needing needless things, wanting more. I have started reading “White Fang” and “Call of the Wild” by Jack London, and a few others by Thoreau. I have to say watching this movie and reading all the info I can about Mccandless has pretty much gave me a new insight on life, and I am now positive I will take the journey to be able to see Bus 142 with my own eyes

]]> By: stephenpeterson http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-128 stephenpeterson Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:08:15 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-128 Ariel, how wonderful to encounter a sister in Christ! May God bless your wonderful mind and use it to minister to your co-workers. Ariel, how wonderful to encounter a sister in Christ! May God bless your wonderful mind and use it to minister to your co-workers.

]]> By: Ariel http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-127 Ariel Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:47:38 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-127 Stephen, I do have a great story.....although an old one I suspect. I have been walking with God for 14 years (as of March 2008) and am amazed when I look back at all He has done in my life. I am completing an advanced degree and have found that intelligence and an inquisitive mind are not obstacles to God as long as the ultimate submission is to Him. I now work in a field with many atheists who vault the mind and human will as the only necessary components to a rich life. I see up close everyday what could have happened to me without God's intervention in my life. Now, I just try to live it out in my life and work, and show through my own life what is possible with Christ. Anyway, thanks and best wishes, Ariel Stephen, I do have a great story…..although an old one I suspect. I have been walking with God for 14 years (as of March 2008) and am amazed when I look back at all He has done in my life. I am completing an advanced degree and have found that intelligence and an inquisitive mind are not obstacles to God as long as the ultimate submission is to Him. I now work in a field with many atheists who vault the mind and human will as the only necessary components to a rich life. I see up close everyday what could have happened to me without God’s intervention in my life. Now, I just try to live it out in my life and work, and show through my own life what is possible with Christ.
Anyway, thanks and best wishes,
Ariel

]]> By: stephenpeterson http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-126 stephenpeterson Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:36:45 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-126 Ariel, thanks for your thoughtful comment. Sounds like you've got a great story. Ariel, thanks for your thoughtful comment. Sounds like you’ve got a great story.

]]> By: Ariel http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/alex-supertramp/#comment-125 Ariel Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:22:23 +0000 http://stephenpeterson.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-125 Stephen, this is one of the best and most insightful pieces I have read about Chris McCandless. I was finishing up school in Atlanta when Chris' body was discovered in Alaska and was very taken by Krakauer's book. I had a sensibility much like Chris' at that time in my life. If self-denial and renunciation of need had been Olyimpic events I would have won the gold medal. :-) Thankfully, God didn't buy that and I became a Christian in 1994. I think one of the reasons Chris' life resonates for people was his twin identification with wanting some deeper need fulfilled--one that modern consumerist society could not meet, and yet wanting to remain aloof from emotional and psychological need. Great writing and best wishes, Ariel Stephen, this is one of the best and most insightful pieces I have read about Chris McCandless. I was finishing up school in Atlanta when Chris’ body was discovered in Alaska and was very taken by Krakauer’s book. I had a sensibility much like Chris’ at that time in my life. If self-denial and renunciation of need had been Olyimpic events I would have won the gold medal. :-) Thankfully, God didn’t buy that and I became a Christian in 1994. I think one of the reasons Chris’ life resonates for people was his twin identification with wanting some deeper need fulfilled–one that modern consumerist society could not meet, and yet wanting to remain aloof from emotional and psychological need.

Great writing and best wishes,
Ariel

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