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College Years
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Facts
Chris went to Emory University in Georgia. He cut off ties with his parents in his middle to late years of college because of his fathers past. -
Graduation
At this time, Chris reconnected with his parents. They wanted to give him money and a new car but he told them he was going to get away for awhile. He donated his college fund to OXFAM. -
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Adventures after College
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First Adventure
Chris drove his yellow datsun from Georgia and headed straight west. His last time talking to his parents. In Arizona, he was in a flash flood and his car was drenched. Chris ditched the car and left a note telling that someone can have the car. Also burned all of his money and possessions and started going by the name Alexander Supertramp. -
Hitch hiking
Chris received a hitch hiking ticket but continued his ways to reach his goal. A older hippie couple took Chris in and he camped with them for a few days. Back at home, Chris's parents received the ticket and this made them very worried. -
Wayne
Alex was hitch hiking north in South Dakota when Wayne Westerberg picked him up. Wayne gave him a job and became Alex's closest friend besides Jan Burres. Wayne got arrested so Alex headed for Mexico -
Canoe/Mexico
Alex bought a cheap canoe to help him travel. He went down the Colorado River, realizing that it doesn't reach the gulf. Chris turned around heading for California but he had to go through the border. They let him through even though he didn't have the right identification and documents -
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Travels Part 2
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Bull Head City
Chris arrived here in Arizona. He wanted to settle down for a few months so he found a job at Mcdonalds and trailer home. After a few months, Chris sent a post card to Jan and Bob. Alex wanted to move so Jan came and picked him up. They headed for the slabs -
Slabs
Alex, Bob and Jan all stayed at the "slabs" for around a month. The slabs are an abandoned navy base where tramps and drifters stay for awhile. Alex told everyone about his Alaskan Odyssey. Towards the end, Alex left and headed for Carthage. -
Ron Franz
On his route to Carthage, he set up camp outside of California. One day he was hitch hiking to town for supplies when Ron an 80 year old man picked him up. Ron was all alone and treated Alex like his grandson. He taught Alex some great craftsmanship and how to make a leather belt. -
Moving North
Alex tried to be a "hobo" and hop trains. Didn't workout in his favor so he called Ron Franz for a ride. He drove him to Colorado and a few days later Alex arrived in Carthage, SD where he met Wayne. Worked for him for awhile until he set off for Alaska. -
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Alaskan Journey
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Start of his Dream
Alex reaches Fairbanks in the spring of 1992. He was dropped off at the Stampede Trail by Jim Gallien. Next Alex follows path and crosses river until he reaches bus 142. -
Dreams to Reality
Chris figures out how to hunt. Shot a moose, ate a ton of berries and wild plants. He started getting weak because he was limited on food. Early August he became sick and very weak. Alex ate moldy seeds which caused his death. In his journal of his trip he survived 112 days in the wild.
