Summary
Highlights
After leaving Vegas in May 1991, McCandless stopped journaling until he reached Alaska. He spent July and August on the Oregon coast, then settled in Bullhead City, Arizona, for two months, longer than any other place since leaving Atlanta. He worked at McDonald's, using his real name and social security number. His assistant manager remembered his aversion to socks, but also his hard work and dependability. Another assistant manager recalled him as a slow worker but reliable in showing up. He quit after three weeks due to comments about his smell, as he was still homeless, living in the desert on the town's outskirts.
McCandless eventually lived in an extra trailer on a piece of land cared for by an old man named Charlie. He stayed for about a month, keeping out of sight and quiet, before leaving around Christmas. He gave Charlie $50 and a pack of cigarettes. McCandless wrote to Jan, and she planned to visit him. However, he met them himself at 'The Slabs' in Nyland, California, getting tired of staying in one place.
Jan and Bob were staying at 'The Slabs,' an old navy base turned into a winter haven for 'rubber tramps.' McCandless helped Jan with her swap meet bookstore, excelling at selling books due to his extensive knowledge. He particularly admired Jack London, whose books about the Alaskan north fueled his inspiration for his own Alaskan journey. A 17-year-old girl named Tracy developed a crush on McCandless, but he considered her too young. He was sociable at The Slabs, even playing and singing on an old organ, surprising Jan with his musical talent. He openly discussed his Alaskan plans and exercised daily in preparation, but never mentioned his family.
The Sunday before leaving, Jan learned McCandless was from the D.C. area when he rooted for Washington during a football game. He departed the following Wednesday to collect his last paycheck in Sultan City. He refused money and extra clothes from Jan and Bob, only accepting long underwear to end an argument, which he later left in the trailer. Jan wasn't concerned for him, trusting his intelligence and past achievements would see him through Alaska.