Anywhere That Is Wild: John Muir's First Walk to Yosemite

John Muir wrote many wonderful books about his travels, but one story—about his long walk from San Francisco to Yosemite—is one book he did not author himself. In April 1868, a very young John Muir stepped off a boat in San Francisco and inquired about the quickest way out of town. “But where do you want to go?” was the response, to which Muir replied, “Anywhere that is wild.” Using Muir’s personal correspondence and published articles, Peter and Donna Thomas have reconstructed the real story of Muir’s literal ramblings over California hills and through dales, with lofty Sierra Nevada peaks, Englishmen, and bears mixed in for good measure. The trip is illustrated by charming cut-paper illustrations that take their inspiration from Muir's love of nature. John Muir’s story-telling is so compelling that even 150 years later, seeing the world through his eyes makes us want to head out into the wild.

Peter and Donna Thomas are book artists. In 2006 they walked from San Francisco to Yosemite following the footsteps of John Muir on his first trip to Yosemite and later published a guidebook for following this route. Since 2010, they have traveled the United States as “Wandering Book Artists,” giving talks, workshops, and demonstrations.