ANYWHERE WILD! Returning to Humboldt County...Opening wild places to
people with disabilities August 2nd–August 4th. Inspiring movie and talk given
by Mr. Muir 5pm August 2nd at the Fortuna River Lodge. Both events are free.

When John Muir first arrived in California by ship, he was bewildered and overwhelmed by the raucous energy of San Francisco in 1869. He asked a passerby the quickest way out of the city. "Well, where do you want to go?" the stranger inquired.

"Anywhere Wild!" said Muir.

John Muir’s great-grandson is blazing a new trail into the wilderness, opening a path to be traveled by people with disabilities. Fairfield, California horseman Michael Muir, 55, has lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 years old. Refusing to be daunted by the relentless course of his disease, Muir believes in challenging the limits of disability. In 2001, he led an international team of people with disabilities driving wheelchair accessible horsedrawn carriages on a three thousand mile, ten month Journey Across America.

Now after traveling thousands of miles in seven countries, the extraordinary adventures of HorseJourney have led to the founding of Anywhere Wild! Muir says, "We have shown that people with disabilities can accomplish amazing things. Horses, combined with innovative adaptive equipment are the links that carry us back into a close relationship with nature and wild places. I know how important this has proven to be in my own life. It is something I want to share with others."

Anywhere Wild! uses Thornlea carriages with a battery operated lift that accommodates up to 500 pounds, to bring aboard people with mobility problems, including those in wheelchairs. A simple lockdown device secures the wheelchair in place. The program has a traditional four-wheel carriage that can handle four passengers, including two wheelchairs, and a twelve passenger trolley that can carry five wheelchairs. Anywhere Wild! offers remote, scenic, multi-day wilderness experiences for people living with mobility challenges.

Capetown Caper continued ...

Capetown Caper photos from 2007

Map from Ferndale to Capetown