One of my favorite moments of being up here in Alaska is being able to place visuals to one of my favorite books.

“Into the Wild”, by Jon Krakauer, is the story of Chris McCandless leaving society and hiking various parts of the US. The place he most wanted to go was Alaska. And he did. But it proved to be the death of him.

His story is isn’t mentioned in the narration provided on the train. Despite the fact that the train drops tourists off only 24 miles from the Stampede Trail. His final destination. Employees stay in Healy, which is only 9 miles from the trail.

Perhaps it’s because the story itself is somewhat controversial. Some feeling he was pompous and thus deserving of his fate. Others assuming he was mentally ill. I think neither. In reading the story, I believe he enjoyed being alone without the trappings of society. Indeed, he made a fatal decision.

Bus 142, in which his body was found, was removed from the trail in the summer of 2020. Too many people were hiking to the bus and getting stranded, in need of rescue. Two women lost their lives. For the record, I had no desire to hike the trail. Even if the bus had remained at its location.

Seeing the thawing of the winter’s ice on the rivers, it’s evident to me how one could became stranded. Within a few days, the width of the Nenana River, which runs along the tracks for miles, is running full and strong. The Susitna River, further south, is also running swiftly. It is so full, the islands that used to dot the middle have disappeared. Neither being the river that sealed his fate. It allows me to envision how the Teklanika River could become impassable to Chris after torrential rains.

One trip down the mountain, I was in the coach instead of the train. I spotted a bus that looked like the one Chris was found in. It was located at a brewery a short walk from the employee housing.

When I got back to Anchorage, I did some research. (I love to research things when I come across interesting areas. Unfortunately I haven’t had great cell coverage since I’ve been in Alaska. So I have to wait until I’m home instead of Googling it on the ride back.) The bus is located at the 49th State Brewery in Healy, AK. It isn’t the original bus. But it was the one used as a prop in the movie. Of course I wanted to visit this!

We got the chance one night when the train arrived in Healy around 6pm. Still used to factoring in darkness when planning nighttime activities, we quickly realized it wasn’t going to get dark until well after 11:30pm. Even then, it wouldn’t be pitch black. We had plenty of time to walk the short distance.

It was pretty warm out and felt good to be outside. George Parks Highway runs through Healy and we walked a path along the highway. Even with the tourist season in full swing, only a few cars zip by.

We eat first and delight in good food and drink. Given that the employee dining isn’t fine dining! I enjoyed the chicken wings and a wedge salad with a raspberry lime soda with vodka. Refreshing! It was a nice date night!

But I digress.

After we ate, we went outside and looked around the bus. It was as I pictured it when reading the book. Also, the pictures Chris himself had taken of the bus. Despite it being only a prop, I felt intrusive approaching the bus. It was rundown. Rusted out sections, broken windows and creepy inside. Perhaps dirty is a better term. I’m not into camping, so the dirt and filth alone would have probably killed me. LOL!

Even though it wasn’t the real bus, it felt somber. Copies of his final letters hung inside, as did a few pictures.

I was glad to have visited the prop bus. I’ve posted some pictures below.

I highly recommend the book. I also saw the movie. But as is usually the case, the book is better than the movie. In fact, after seeing the bus, I’ve started re-reading. the book. I’ve also done several deep dives into articles on the internet in magazines.