As I was reading this post, I found so many common points… all the while wondering if you knew that girls have similar struggles quite often… we just take somewhat different paths.

While I love the outdoors, I know I could never do what Chris did. That doesn’t stop me from wanting to. From the moment I discovered Chris McCandless and his remarkable story I knew exactly why he lived the life he did.

I had my wild days, and I did some pretty stupid things. Any one of which I know realize as the mother of three teenagers were STUPID. If any of my kids even thought of hitchiking, or taking off into the boonies with total strangers, or wandering off into the wilderness totally alone and unprepared… A small part of me would die. Yet I did all of those things… and far worse.

While males and females often experience the same feelings – they do tend to show them in very different ways. There are always exceptions to the rule of course… since your post was written many women have visited the Magic Bus. At least one died trying to get there.

Anyone who would attempt the trip must see something of a kindred spirit within Chris McCandless. I plan to visit the Magic Bus myself someday, because an idealist recognizes another idealist when they see one. We are kindred spirits.

The outcasts of society have always existed. The rebels. The recluse. The saint. They have often been considered mad men. Accused of being insane. Dangerous even.

Idealists are so often artists in one form or another, sometimes without even realizing it. They are always trying to paint a picture of the world. Not as it is now, but as it could be, and perhaps even should be.

In or out? I find that I rather enjoy both.

I believe you were right on the money when you mentioned idealism. Idealists can’t help but try to change the world. We are romantics, we are dreamers. We are Bohemain’s.

All very much alike in that we feel we must walk our truths. Even if it kills us. We must walk it.

Thank you for your beautiful and thought provoking words.

Boshemia

— Che Guevara, August 19, 1960

http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1960/08/19.htm

To me Che Guevara is one of the most heroic figures in world history who is a stoic example of what all those who speak of “revolution” should espouse to be.

This was a man who left a bourgeoisie comfortable life of the upper class, a potential well compensated career as a medical doctor, and a high regarded governmental position, each time to slog through the jungle and fight guerrilla wars against impenetrable odds = for a better and more equitable society.

Throughout his life Che tended to thousands of sick campesinos, helped construct dozens of schools throughout Cuba, worked in a Leper colony to helped those afflicted, and even when he was literally tied up in a small mud school house awaiting his own execution ! , still complained to the local teacher that in a nation where the leaders drove Mercedes … it was a travesty that the peasants were taught in a dilapidated place like he was in.

If the world had 100 Che’s … or hell even 10 … we would be in much better shape.

thanx

By all evidence (like his last photo) Chris McCandless died happy or at least accepting. Does that help? Like you, I certainly would have liked his story to have a different ending, so he could go on learning once he’d passed that test. But if it hadn’t ended the way it did, it wouldn’t have touched us and we wouldn’t be talking about it, would we? Maybe there’s something to be said for that.

Here’s a question: Does anyone “die in vain”? I’ve often wondered about that. I suppose the person who never took a chance, is worse off than the one who tries some crazy thing and falls short. As the poet said, “‘Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.”

By the way, I checked out your website and your art is amazing !!

sorry, just wanted to point that one out being the history student. Thank’s again! I loved this post.