-
Detrital Wash, AZ
This event showed the theme of materialism and idealism because Chris ditched things that held great importance to him. His Datsun, social security card, etc. The book says, "He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed necessary baggage... Then in a gesture that would have done Tolstoy and Thoreau proud, he arranged all his paper currency in a pile- and put a match to it. This event is significant because it shows how devoted Chris is to what he believes in and what his ideals are. -
Period: to
Topock AZ to Sonora,Mexico
During this time Chris decides to buy a canoe and paddle from Arizona down to Mexico. He bought the canoe on impulse and was "stirred by the austerity of this landscape, by its saline beauty," (32). This shows the risks Chris took. He nearly died along the way due to his ignorance along with bad weather. It also shows the allure nature had on him because he was so enthralled by everything that surrounded him. -
Period: to
Orick, CA , Anza-Borego, CA , Carthage, SD , Healy, AK
Throughout Chris's journey, he met a number of people who he made an "indelible impression" on. (48) This speaks to the theme of family that is evident throughout the book. It also shows the irony of the fact that Chris was determined to escape his own family yet found a sense of family in a number of individuals he met along the way. These people were Jan and Bob Burres, Ronald Franz, Wayne Westerberg, and even Jim Gallien. -
Period: to
Fairbanks to Healy, AK
Chris is gifted with luck along his journey. He hitchhikes his way to every place he goes to and by chance didn't have any bad encounters with any of the people who picked him up. He also almost died like four times before Alaska and surely it could be said that all he had was dumb luck. "Hitchhiking tends to be difficult on the Alaska Highway. Some hitchhikers wait a week or more," (158). It only took Chris a week to travel over 800 miles and by chance he got picked up by the right people. -
Period: to
Stampede trail, AK
Chris's final destination shows the impossibility of total self reliance. He managed to stay alive for a few months despite how little he knew and how ill-prepared he was, but because he was so isolated from society he could not receive the help and medical assistance he needed which ultimately led to his death. Chris also has the epiphany of realizing that happiness is achieved when shared with others.