Chris M's home was the perfect setting for our discussion of "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" being tucked back into the woods. And Chris shares similarities with Grandma Gatewood: love of hiking, noticing the plants and flowers, appreciating the serenity of nature. It goes without saying that the food we enjoyed was great - and was a far more nourishing meal than that which sustained Grandma Gatewood.
The notion to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail bloomed inside Grandma Gatewood. In 1955, at the age of 67, with minimal supplies and a change of clothes in her home-made sack, wearing tennis shoes, Grandma Gatewood began her journey. She told her children she was going for a walk, but didn't mention where she was heading. Her years of farm life seemed to be enough preparation for her, being a strong and resilient woman. "There were a million heavenly things to see and a million spectacular ways to die."
The author included different aspects of post-war life and how they influenced Grandma Gatewood and the Appalachian Trail. Some of us found this information interesting while others found it to be a distraction from Grandma Gatewood's story. He also explored Grandma Gatewood's life and the many challenges she faced in her marriage. She went on to hike the Appalachian Trail a total of three times and also hiked the Oregon Trail. It is estimated that she hiked 14,000 miles in her later years.
"Remote for detachment,
Narrow for chosen company,
Winding for leisure,
Lonely for contemplation,
the Trail leads not merely north and south
but upward to the body, mind and soul of man."
-Appalachian Trail summary by Harold Allen
When asked by reporters why she was hiking, she replied "Because, I wanted to."
Our next meeting will be April 5th at Debbie Deardorff's home. We'll see you there!
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