Trip to the "Magic Bus"

[roger]

My two cents? Rather than visiting Chris' "Magic Bus", I believe a much more fitting tribute to Chris -- a tribute more in line with his philosophy -- would be to embark on one's own journey of self-dicovery in an attempt to find one's own "Magic Bus." I think Chris would concur.

The "Magic Bus" is (for me) more metaphorical and symbolic than it is literal. Seems to me that Chris was more about blazing one's own path than he was about following the paths of others. He didn't want us to necessarily follow in his footsteps; he simply wanted us to live our lives in such a way that our footprints on the sands of time may be distiguished (in some way) from our fellow travelers on this journey through life. One of the messages I get from Chris' life is the importance of not being a perpetual follower; that we must lead, and that our duty is ultimately to lead only ourselves and no one else. "Nothing is a last sacred but the integrity of one's own mind."

I can certainly understand why one would be inspired to visit the bus, but I do not believe that one must travel to Alaska in order to find oneself. To paraphrase Emerson: One will never achieve success or experience happiness until he listens to that voice which only he alone can hear. Can't help but believe that Chris would agree with this advice.

[Grecy]

...Rather than visiting Chris' "Magic Bus", I believe a much more fitting tribute to Chris -- a tribute more in line with his philosophy -- would be to embark on one's own journey of self-dicovery in an attempt to find one's own "Magic Bus." I think Chris would concur.

Wow, I think you hit it on the head perfectly.

I am currently on my own journey of self-discovery, driving my Jeep 50,000kms from the Arctic Ocean in Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego, the southern-most point of South America.
During my trip, I hiked into The Magic Bus to spend some time and soak in the atmosphere. Without doubt, it is the most amazing place I have ever been in my life. The trip was remarkable!

You can see all my photos and read about my hike to the Magic Bus in July 2009 at http://dangrec.com/?p=647

-Dan

[roger]

Grecy,

Though I don't know you, news of your journey puts a smile on my face. Wishing you only the best of fortune in your travels. May the distance you travel in miles be replicated in the happiness and enlightenment you find along the way. Safe travels my friend. You are not alone out there. My best thoughts and wishes accompany you wherever you may roam.

Roger

[danitaly]

I wish I we can go one day, I live in Italy but I hope someday to be able to go to Alaska and see the magic bus!

[denbo]

Wanted to share here too as I was at the majic bus trip site..........

I am not so surprised that so many people are checking into the Bus that was in the movie. I myself was at the Bus, but it was many years before Chris was there. Feeling the rapture of nature myself and a big fan of the "Hemmingway's adventures of a young man mentality" I went to Alaska in seach of the "White Noise" reality of standing out in the arms of Mother Nature so she could hold me there. I found out about the Bus by asking in stores and bars about local sites of interest and the bus was mentioned in a bar. I arranged to meet the owner of the (land) bus and paid him so I could stay there at a later date. The movie about Chris was chilling as I recalled my own trip to the bus and the desolate, thrilling commune with nature. I also saw "Call Of The Wild" about Chris. Chris's story brings to mind Alexander The Great's world travels and how Chris's story is scaled down in magnitude from that. Alexander The Great vs. Alexander Sewper Tramp. You can tell Chris was a great reader because he treasured his books as he traveled and buried them under his bridge home so he could retrieve them later instead of getting more copies.

I too have best wishes for the preservation of the bus and it's contents now that it has superceded a mere point of travel interest into a icon/relic/shrine from the movie industry and daily life, much like Zabriskie Point. By the way..... What is the point of Zabriskie point? Any way.... to any one who reads this..... please take care if you travel out in the wilderness, be prepared and be respectful. Also a kind thought goes out to the McCandless Family on their tragic loss. I remember the sequence of news blurbs as they searched for Chris and the final note when they found him at the Bus and stark realization I had been there. Chris had found out about the hitch hikers/tramping circuit too and now I am thinking the "Bus" will become a part of that "Tramping Lore".

Good luck to all in your travels! Denbo......[quote][/quote]