Response to Group A Prompt

"Why does everyone think that Gallien (the man who gave Chris a ride) inInto the Wild, opted to not call the police after Chris left his car? Gallien said, "I figured he'd be OK," but why would anyone think this considering where Chris was going with little to no supplies? State your opinion."

For one, I think that Gallien telling Krakauer this could be a little bit in

hindsight. I doubt he actually gave it much thought at the time.

However, since we must believe that he gave it some thought, as we have no reason to doubt Gallien's honesty, I believe that Gallien didn't report Chris mainly for the reason he gives. He says, "I thought he'd probably get hungry pretty quick and just walk out to the highway. That's what any normal person would do". We all have had times where we thought we should do one thing, and then tell ourselves everything is going to be all right and not to worry. Gallien had a long drive down to Anchorage and probably just wanted to be on his way.

Another reason was probably Chris's drive. Chris brushed off every warning that Gallien offered. Every time that he attempted to to get Chris to rethink, McCandless simply brushed him off, having already made up his mind. I think this is another big reason. Chris was so set on going into the wild and so "excited", as Gallien describes it, that he just gave off the feeling that nothing will stop him from at least trying. I believe Gallien simply dropped the notion that he would have been helping anything by reporting Chris. Like he said, any normal person would figure out its too rough and just walk out.

First Blog: Rachel's Prompt

My name is Jordan Retz and I am from Kent, Washington. I graduated from Kentwood High School last June. I had been pretty sure that I was going to end up coming to Washington State since I visited the school my Junior year. I really enjoy the area and the school. However, being a Husky fan my whole life, that transition has been particularly difficult. Not that I can't root for the Cougars, just that I can't root against the Huskies. While at Kentwood I played basketball, golf, and ran cross country. Basketball was my main sport, but football is definitely the sport I like the most. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are my favorite team. They had a rough last season, but hopefully the draft and Josh Freeman can make next year a better one.

Academically, I usually have been able to pull out good grades. Some times I really like school, and the classes that I take. I can genuinely enjoy learning certain topics, especially history. Last semester I had Gened 110, taught by Dr. Infanco. He was one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. I have never been more excited to take exams. In regards to English, I have had mixed success. When writing an essay I always feel like I am really close to understanding the task. However, after I finish I always feel like there is something missing and my grades usually reflect that feeling. Hopefully that will change this semester, especially because I feel like a lot of aspects of the high school essay are being thrown out the window.

One of the most important things in my life is music. When I was younger I took drum lessons, and since then I've been learning guitar. I am a huge fan of the Beatles. They are for sure the best ever, and I could defend that claim fairly well. I love to write songs and play music with my friends when I go home. Also, camping is something I have done every year of my life. The picture below is of me at Kalaloch. It's the greatest place in the world.