(1983-1986) High School
-Ran for his school's cross country team, and was really talented at it -Was a very good student and didn't have to try hard to accomplish good grades -Began to stand up for racial rights (1986-1990) College -Attended Emory University, in Georgia after his parents convinced him to go to college -Took a road trip in his Yellow Datsun during summer between high school and college -Grew very distant from his parents during this time at college, and didn't like the snobby kids at school - He found out about his dad's relationship with ex-wife on a trip to California -Chris decided to lose contact with parents after college (July 1990- January 1991) First Leg of his Journey -Drove West in Yellow Datsun and abandoned it in Arizona after a flash flood damaged its engine -State Troopers found it with a note saying they could have it -Troopers used it for drug busts -In the car Chris left many belongings: -Guitar, 25lbs bag of rice, saucepan, change, electric razor, etc. -Began going by name Alex Supertramp -Soon took a job from man named Crazy Ernie who didn't pay Chris for his work -Chris stole a bike from Ernie and left -In Northern California Jan Burres picked up Chris and they soon became close friends Wayne Westerberg: -In September 1990 Wayne picked up Alex in South Dakota -Wayne offered Alex a job at his grain elevator -They became each others closest friends -Wayne was arrested for making illegal black boxes and sent to jail -Alex left and headed for Mexico Mexico: -He gets a canoe and tries to paddle to the Gulf Coast, the canals are blocked -A few Mexicans pick him up and take him to the beach. Here he spends a lofty amount of time -Returns to America and is caught by immigration police, they soon release him (May 1991- April 1992) Second Leg of his Journey -Gets a fry-cook job at a McDonald's in Bullhead, Arizona -Jan Burres starts on her way to visit him but he meets her on her way -Jan, her boyfriend, and Alex head to the "Slabs" -The "Slabs" are located on a deserted Naval Base -They home many vagabonds -Alex decides to leave for his "Alaskan Odyssey" but stops in Carthage, South Dakota to see Wayne first Ronald Franz: -Alex delayed his "Alaskan Odyssey" after meeting an 80 year-old name Franz in Salton City, California -They grew close and were like grandfather and grandson -During his time with Franz, Alex was taught some Leathery Craftsmanship skills -He created a belt with all of his adventures -Franz drives Alex to San Diego but soon calls him to pick Alex up again -They drive to Grand Junction, Colorado and Alex heads to Carthage -He works for Wayne for a while then heads to Alaska (April 1992- August 1992) Great Alaskan Odyssey -Jim Gallien takes Alex to his final destination at the Stampede Trail -Crosses Teklanika River and finds bus #142 -Lives many weeks with good hunting -Kills a moose and regrets it -After months he wants to return to civilization but the river is to dangerous -He eats a potato coated in alkaloid and is not able to absorb nutrients -Starves to death after writing and S.O.S note -Dies August 18, 1992 |