Ronald Franz: A Great Acquaintance

Before I went onto my journey, I went to different places and lived with different people. People were mostly prejudiced about me and as I explained my lifetime objective they regarded it as nonsense even if they did not try very hard to persuade me out of it. They thinked that I was turning my back to many opportunities that I could face throughout my life. Also they gave advices to me about how I could improve my chances of survival and make my life easier in the wild. They stated that I lacked some of the essential equipment like enough food and ammo, they also gave me tips about the game in Alaska. Among these people Ronald Franaz was a person I really respected and had a good time with.

I met Ronald Franz as when I was walking back to my camp after I had bought some food from the town. Franz stopped by me with his truck and offered me a ride to my destination. Franz was an 80 year old peaceful man who always followed the same pattern in his life. Franz's wife and children were killed in a car accident, therefore Franz did not contain a goal or any mission to accomplish in his life. I felt the feeling that Franz was worried about my situation, about how I lived away from the opportunities of life. Therefore I explained him my purpose of living this way in order to make him comfortable.

We spent a lot of time together, we learned from each other. For example he was a good leatherworker and he teached me some of his unique techniques. When the day that I needed to leave came, he wanted me to stay but after I insisted on going he offered me a ride to San Diego which was my next destination. This offer was one that I couldn't refuse. So Franz and I went to San Diego and I continued my journey.

When I was in my final destination before the Stampede Trail I wanted to write a letter to Franz about my opinions and thoughts. In my letter to Franz I mentioned ways in improving his life. I said that he should get out of his monotonous routine and start exploring new areas, that he should take the joy out of life by making many acquaintances with other people, and seeing sights like the Grand Canyon which every american must see.

This letter made me realize that Franz really cared and respected me. He wanted to get an idea of improving his life with my aid. Therefore I am proud of him and I really respect him for showing such opinions about me. He was a unique person for me because unlike many others, he believed that I had a purpose of going into the wild, and therefore I again thank him with my full heart.

Beginning Of My Odyssey

After I left college different paths and opportunities were being popped out all the time. One of these opportunities was presented by Wayne Westerberg. He offered me a job in a grain elevator in Carthage. During the time period I worked there I had a nice time and I also managed to build good relationships with Wayne Westerberg and the others. However I was certain of my goal therefore after working in the elevator I left the job. Wayne pointed out that I could come and work for him any time I wanted to. I really appreciated such a behaviour.
As I was tramping on the road a on my way to Stampede Trail, the beginning of my journey, A driver picked me up and said that he could provide me a lift to somewhere near Stampede Trail. I felt lucky and I hopped in. On the way we talked with him a lot. His name was Jim Gallien, as I explained the purposes of my journey to the Stampede Trail and to the wild afterwards, Jim found what I said pretty awkward and out of logic. He said that I had a small amount of equipment, and that I lacked some of the important materials for my journey. Therefore when we got there he gave me a pair of boots and wished me good luck.
Then there I was, at the beginnig of my new life, the one I always imagined the moment I left Emory University. As I gazed upon the barren land and the woods that stood in front of me I felt more joy than I expected before I got there. I felt that I could finally start my mission in finding spiritual awakening. As I planed Alaska was the perfect place for this. Because I believed that it was one of the best places that you can consider as wild and unexplored, which was what I wanted.
I was aware of the dangers that were lying in the wild. However I did not grow any fear in myself. I was determined to accomplish my goal, therefore I believed that none of these dangers such as wild animals like wolves and bears, the struggle agains starvation and the hard parts of game would really make me give up. I was ready and prepared.
I was now away from the intimitating society which was made out of materialistic people. There was none of these fights for money or people that were bothering me. No one could judge me and I was all by myself, making the decisions just by my own opinions. None of the people like parents which can judge me for what I do existed. This was one of the greatest pleasures in going to the wild.
This was what unfolded in my mind, as I walked through that plain ground covered with snow, and my journey had just begun.

The Moment I Left Emory University

College was a process I regarded as nonsense. Therefore I judged the lessons I took as useless. I believed that education was just a process which limited people and convinced them into thinking in a particular way. I believed that education limited the wilderness of a persons mind. Thus when I finished my four years of education I felt free, and I was happy because now I could start my journeys which I believe is the correct way of living. As I walked to the stage many ideas glimpsed in my head. I could now forge my own path, according to my own thoughts and ideas without anyone judging me. I wanted to be tramping out in the wild. I just wanted to be out there. I wanted to be away from the society, which was made out of capitalist people, people who would do anything for their own cause just to make the world a better place for themselves. People who believe that money is everything, and that without money a person can never be able to succeed in life. I did not want to be a part of this "society". I believed that success was just about being happy. If a person was happy in their own means than they are successfull. The state of the person has no importance. Therefore I believed that I could be successfull according to my own means and I was now prepared. The obstacle of college was now out of the way. I felt the cold breeze of Alaska, I saw myself shivering in the barren frozen land, I was trying to find the means of survival and was prepared to face the dangers of the wild.