So, for starters, lets take a look at what your normal car kit should have:

1. Basic First Aid Kit (for minor cuts, scrapes, burns)
   • Ideally, this is just for the little stuff you will inflict upon yourself from being clumsy working under the hood.
   • You might also want to add some kind of hand-sanitizer or cleaner.
   • Put this in a gallon sized ziploc bag.
2. Flashlight (extra batteries are always a good idea)
   • I’d have to say the 2x AA MagLites are perfect for this kit, though, if you want something smaller there’s a MagLite “Solitare” that uses 1x AAA battery.
   • I carry a 2x D-cell MagLite in my vehicle at all times, with an extra pair of batteries in the glove compartment. It’s size and weight has made it useful as a makeshift hammer to be used on my starter solenoid when the vehicle wouldn’t crank, such that I got it working so I could roll into the mechanic.
   • Add the small flashlight to your glove compartment. If you keep a larger flashlight I’d recommend keeping it up beside you, or under you at the driver’s seat.
3. Jumper Cables
   • You always need them when you don’t have them, and someone else usually needs them when you have them. You might as well keep them so at a minimum you can do your good turn of the day.
   • Put these inside the Action Packer.
4. Duct Tape
   • Do I really need to explain the usefulness of even a partial roll of this stuff? If so, go watch some MacGuyver.
   • Put it inside your Action Packer.
5. Simple Hand Tools
   • At the very minimum you should carry a pair of Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flat) and some Channel-Lock Adjustable Pliers. The utility in these alone coupled with a pocketknife and duct tape can get you a few extra miles down the road. If you know what problems your vehicle is more likely to have, and you’ll need other tools be sure to add them.
   • Put these inside a toolbox (if you carry many tools), or the Action Packer.
6. Pocketknife
   • It’s the Eagle Scout in me, but see my notes for Duct Tape.
   • Put this in your glove compartment.
7. Water
   • Water serves a dual purpose when kept in a vehicle: To keep yourself hydrated, or to keep the vehicle cool (in case of low fluids). I highly recommend keeping at least 2 liters of water with you (3-4 water bottles).
   • Put this in your Action Packer.
8. Misc. Automotive Fluids
   • I usually carry Oil, premix anti-freeze, and a funnel.
   • It’s a good idea to toss a couple automotive paper towels, or a scrap piece of an old shirt for spills.
   • If you can fit these in a ziploc inside the action packer, I highly recommend it in case of a leak or spill.

The above items tend to get you through most of what you’ll need if your car breaks down. In most cases you’ll be able to get help relatively easy, or it should be close by. But when the winter weather hits, you may not be able to get help for a good number of hours, and it is most important that you can stay warm.

Here are my tips for what to add to the trunk for winter weather:

1. Blanket
   • Indispensable when needed to stay warm, and nice to have for long car rides for any passengers that wish to rest.
2. Light Snack
   • Make sure it’s something that won’t melt if it gets too hot, but that will provide some calories. It is important that your body is able to generate enough heat to keep you warm underneath the blanket. Don’t gorge yourself on super-sweets, you don’t want to get sick. Trail Mix is typically a good bet.
3. Hand Warmers
   • Only necessary when you’re stuck for longer periods of time, but very helpful to restore body heat when the blanket just isn’t cutting it.
4. Ice Scraper
   • If you have adequate insulation, the energy you put into scraping ice off of your car will keep you warm. It also allows you to keep an eye out for any assistance that may come your way. Try not to get wet though, it’s counter-productive in staying warm.
5. Large bag of Cat Litter
   • Another dual-purpose item. This is most important for those of you with lightweight two-wheel drive vehicles. It adds weight for traction, and if you open the bag you can put it on the ground underneath your tires for added traction when the weight alone isn’t enough. Just keep in mind that “gunning” the gas isn’t going to help you: stay in a low gear and apply steady pressure to the accelerator pedal.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to know how and when to use these items. Knowing how your vehicle works and what your body needs to stay warm will save you a lot of stress if you ever encounter a situation where you need these tools. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. I’ll be happy to address them.

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At the time the movie was showing in theaters I couldn’t find anyone that was available to go see it with me, mostly because there were other movies of higher interest to the persons I attend the theaters with. When I first saw the previews for the movie “Into the Wild” months ago, it piqued my heaviest interest being an Eagle Scout (with merit badges including Wilderness Survival and Camping), and an experienced backpacker. Though I’ve found RottenTomatoes to be unreliable for most of my “gems of film making” of recent years, they scored this film an 83% giving it a ‘Fresh’ rating. Thanks to NetFlix, who recently added the film to their available titles, I had a chance to sit down and enjoy “Into the Wild” on my own time without leaving the comfort of my own living room.

The story as told by the screenplay is not in sequential order, and actually starts his Alaskan quest fairly quickly into the movie. Though usually this annoys me, it was very appropriate for this tale and provided me with a nearly instant interest in the development of the story.

The story as told by the screenplay is probably the closest to home to my innermost storyteller could ever come up with. Christopher grew up in Annandale, Virginia located in Fairfax County (the same county of Springfield, Virginia where I grew up). Then attended college at Emory University in Atlanta, GA (where I attended Georgia Institute of Technology). Though, I didn’t finish college and didn’t have a rocky childhood with a home filled with spousal abuse and emotional disturbances. He decides to abandon the expectations of his parents, turns down graduation gifts, severs communication with his sister (a very close family member), and set out on his adventure.

Along the way he provides comfort and companionship to a variety of characters, delivering his philosophy welcomed quickly by some and slowly by others. For a lot of his trek to the Alaskan frontier he hitchhikes and crosses paths with a vagabond couple, healing their relationship with each other as a result of their meeting. He comes across a young musically-gifted female who takes a romantic interest in him, only to be left broken-hearted when he leaves to continue on his trek; though my words don’t paint the picture as nicely as the story is told. His last acquaintance is a Korean War Veteran and widower, who by the end of their short-lived relationship is left with a lasting impression of the younger generation. I was touched deeply by their parting of ways, both of them seemed to be heroes at the time.

When he finally makes it to the Alaskan frontier, he manages to come across an abandoned bus previously used for a shelter which he titles the “Magic Bus”. Once settled in and cleaned up, this is where he takes notes, creates poetry, insights, and develops his philosophy to fit the solitary lifestyle he has begun. He quickly realizes that his organization skills need to be put to use in order to make his lifestyle last. In between reading and writing, he sets exploration goals for himself, blazes trails, and hunts for food with a scoped .22 caliber rifle. He verifies his own strengths and finds his weaknesses. He is happy and miserable with various turns of events. Overall, you begin to identify with his character and ultimately are cheering him on for success. Although the story ends tragically, it tells the story of a great person and will be life changing for some viewers.

Excellent screenplay, character development, minor plot twists, and scenic photography play into what may become this generation’s greatest adventure story. I only wish more of Christopher’s works had been made possible. Other people I’ve asked that have actually seen the film have enjoyed it very much and I was even questioned “Made you want to quit work, huh?”. Though parts of it did have me pondering what it would be like to leave my life and society and venture out on my own with no definite plans or real goals beyond learning more about myself, ideally I could never bring myself to do it solo. I’m very happy with my family, friends, and coworkers and couldn’t bring myself to leave the settlement I find myself in even as restricting as it sometimes is.

I highly recommend this film to add to your queue of “movies I need to see” if to at least get a little insight on the true freedoms of solidarity. Look forward to more Movie Reviews by me in the future.