Into the Wild

By carolineamrol

  • I graduate college

    Carine, this is a timeline of my reflections on myself and life during my travels. I hate that I wasn't able to tell you where I went, but we both know it was for the best. I feel a sense of freedom after graduating, and I am soon leaving on the adventure of my life. Can not stand the expectations placed on me by our parents and society.

  • Hike around Lake Mead, Nevada

  • I abandon the Datsun

    Freak flash flood in Detrital Wash forces me to abandon my trusty car. Not worth it to face security, and I answer to nature, not authorities. Surprisingly excited, I see this as an opportunity to get rid of baggage. I have already discovered how freeing it is to get rid of material items.
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    Hiking around California, my parents hire a private investigator

  • Picked up by Wayne Westerberg in Cut Bank, Montana

    I've taken a liking to Wayne, and he offered me a job working at his grain elevator. I work there for a while until he is sent to jail, but we keep in touch. I realize that writing letters to friends I make along the trail keeps me a little less lonely and I enjoy the correspondences.

  • Left Carthage, South Dakota

  • I hike to Arizona and buy a canoe

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    Canoed through Yuma, Arizona

    Sent letters to Wayne

  • I finally reach the Morelos Dam in Mexico

    I got across the Mexican border without being noticed, and I find the act of sneaking across exhilarating. I write constantly in my journal in the third person as Alexander Supertramp. I think of him as an exciting alter-ego who I've become during my travels. I think you would like him Carine.
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    Set up camp on a Mexican beach

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    Stay in a cave to escape from the elements

  • Abandon canoe

    Almost drown after being stuck in a terrible storm. Decide to head back north. Something I discover about myself: I may have overestimated my abilities by going out in a canoe alone. The experience was extremely frustrating and it was frightening to be so helpless to nature.

  • Caught trying to cross the border without ID

    Managed to talk my way out of jail, but lost my favorite gun. A little strange to have conversation after 38 days of solidarity.
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    I go to Houston, travel along the Pacific Coast

  • Get an ID in Los Angeles

    Return quickly to traveling because I feel too uncomfortable in society

  • Camp at the Grand Canyon

    I feel like a completely new person after months of traveling. Physically, I've lost 25 pounds, but I've never been happier.

  • I come back to pick up my buried stuff

    I come to a realization after I discover my camera is broken: the pictures don't matter. The true meaning of life is the experiences, memories, and the joy of living life to the fullest
  • Period: to

    Stay in Las Vegas

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    On the Oregon post

    Hate the continuous rain and fog
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    Hitchhiked into California, back to the desert

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    Get a job at McDonald's in Bullhead City, Arizona

    Fed up with the demands of society. Unreasonable coworkers complain about my "hygiene" and I have to wear socks.

  • Visit the Burres at the Slabs

    Enjoy spending my time working at Jan's secondhand shop. I sell books to customers and chat about naturalist writers. Jan always tries to give me too much help when I leave her and I just cannot accept, I feel bad taking anything from anyone.

  • Meet Ronald Franz near Salton Sea in California

    Franz opens up to me and shares his past about his family. I feel sort of bad for him.

  • Franz drops me off in San Diego, live on the streets for a week

    Had to leave before I got too close to Franz. Relationships are not part of my plan, they will just get in the way

  • Call Franz to come pick me up in California, he drives me to Grand Junction, Colorado

    Franz asks to adopt me, uncomfortable with how personal our relationship has become, I avoid the question
  • Period: to

    Work at Westerberg's grain elevator in Carthage, South Dakota

    I will do the jobs that no one else wants to do, but machinery based jobs give me trouble. I start to open up to Wayne and Gail, and talk constantly about my upcoming trip into the wilderness.

  • Meet Mrs. Westerberg

    A wonderful lady, we had dinner and enjoyed a long talk about our favorite books.

  • I leave for Alaska

    Beyond excited, but I have to admit that I'm a little worried about the upcoming months. It crosses my mind that I might never see my friends or family again

  • Meet Stuckey at Liard Hot Springs in Canada

    After waiting for two days, I meet a trucker who agrees to give me a ride. After several days in the car I start to warm up to him and open up. He tries to talk me out of my plans and then wants me to call my parents. I do not want to talk to my parents, I've made it this far.

  • Jim Gallien gives me my final ride of the journey

    Nice guy, but he tries to push supplies on me. Gallien doesn't understand that I want to survive off the land. A true naturalist doesn't need food and a big gun. Give him my remaining possessions.

  • Find an old bus on Stampede Trail

    The bus has some comforts like a bed, stove, and basic materials. I am excited to be here and write messages on the bus windows

  • Having difficulty catching food

    It is proving more difficult than I first thought to catch game. Have to spend a lot of time getting food but I am still thrilled to be in the wild

  • Return to the bus

    Reconsider my initial plan after food becomes more and more difficult to find. I may have overestimated my abilities. The bus seems like the perfect place to spend the rest of my time

  • Shoot a moose

    At first, I am thrilled, but after failing to butcher and cook it correctly, I have to abandon it. Mad at myself for the waste, but this has been a learning experience. I must accept my failures and move on.

  • Try to leave the wild, discover a huge rivere

    Not a strong swimmer, and crossing the freezing river would be an impossible. I note this as a disaster, and I'm feeling lonely and a little worried. But I've supported myself so far, I can survive a little longer.

  • In terrible condition

    I can barely stand and I feel weak from starvation. In the past week after reading "Doctor Zhivago", I have had several revelations. All this time alone has made me think that I might abandon my solitary life and return to society. Happiness is only real when shared.

  • 100 DAYS!

    I'm so excited to have made it to this landmark. However, I've never been this weak and I know death is near. This experience has taught me to appreciate my life, I don't want to die.

  • Posted a note for help

    Abandoned the name Alexander Supertramp, as I am in great danger. My body hurts, my hair is falling out, and sometimes I think I'm hallucinating. I've accepted my fate though, and although starting a fire may be the only way to save myself, I refuse to sacrifice nature.

  • The last day

    I was so close to surviving my adventure, but it wasn't to be. My body has been destroyed, I think by potato seeds. I have lived a happy life and I feel at peace. My regret is that I won't be able to see my friends and you, Carine again.