In the summer of 2009, at the beginning of my first massive expedition from Alaska to Argentina, I hiked into the bus and spent a night in what turned out to be the most intense and peaceful place I've ever spent time. Reading the exhilarating stories in the guest book was like nothing I've ever experienced, and I was awe-struck that one person can inspire so many with his big smile and simple approach to life.
Over the years I've spent hundreds of hours thinking about Chris, his conscious choice to live the life he wanted and the freedom that brought him. He is one of my biggest inspirations, and I like to think we would have been friends.
Every time the sound track from the movie comes on I get tingles down my spine, and I can't help but sing along. It's easily the most-listened to music of my life, and in a strange way it's the sound track to my life.
I have mixed emotions about the removal of the bus - on one hand I understand the need to stop people visiting who require rescue, while on the other I'm sad I never made a return trip. I had always planned a solo winter trip, and somehow while living only ten hours away for four years I never made the effort.
Yet another reason to always go for it, right now.
Although the bus is no longer there, I'm sure I'll make a trek to the spot anyway, and I'm sure Chris will continue to inspire me throughout my life.
"Happiness is only real when shared" - Chris McCandless
> Every time the sound track from the movie comes on I get tingles down my spine ...
I don't think I've heard any of those songs since I saw the movie when it was in theaters, but you've reminded me how much they've stuck with me. Eddie Vedder's vocals are so raw and vulnerable and there couldn't have been a better choice.
I'm going to listen to the soundtrack this afternoon -- thanks for the reminder. I'm also looking forward to reading your travelogue.
While he doesn't have much in common with Chris, I was inspired at an identity level when I first read Rolf Potts' Vagabonding as a teen and other pieces of his work like https://rolfpotts.com/storming-the-beach/.
Over the years I've spent hundreds of hours thinking about Chris, his conscious choice to live the life he wanted and the freedom that brought him. He is one of my biggest inspirations, and I like to think we would have been friends.
Every time the sound track from the movie comes on I get tingles down my spine, and I can't help but sing along. It's easily the most-listened to music of my life, and in a strange way it's the sound track to my life.
I have mixed emotions about the removal of the bus - on one hand I understand the need to stop people visiting who require rescue, while on the other I'm sad I never made a return trip. I had always planned a solo winter trip, and somehow while living only ten hours away for four years I never made the effort.
Yet another reason to always go for it, right now.
Although the bus is no longer there, I'm sure I'll make a trek to the spot anyway, and I'm sure Chris will continue to inspire me throughout my life.
"Happiness is only real when shared" - Chris McCandless
Here's my account of my hike into the bus in 2009 http://theroadchoseme.com/the-magic-bus