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Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail

Ben Montgomery

Start date: August 1, 2019

Finish date: August 31, 2019

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Sep 07, 2017 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Buddy read with my wonderful friend, Candi ❤️

This book was a great inspiration!

For those of you that actually read my reviews =) there will be some spoilers on down the line because I just have to talk about Emma's horrific husband for a minute.

Anyway, at one time me, my dog, my dad, my ex-boyfriend and dog were going to hike a portion of the trail and I wanted to spend one night and hike back. But, we never did and then I became home bound so that's never going to happen. We used to pass this ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Candi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, nature, biography-autobiography-memoir, travel

"She stood, finally, her canvas Keds tied tight, on May 3, 1955, atop the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the longest continuous footpath in the world, facing the peaks on the blue-black horizon that stretched toward heaven and unfurled before her for days. Facing a mean landscape of angry rivers and hateful rock she stood, a woman, mother of eleven and grandmother of twenty-three. She had not been able to get the trail out of her mind."

So began Emma Gatewood’s remarkable 2,050 mile "She stood, finally, her canvas Keds tied tight, on May 3, 1955, atop the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the longest continuous footpath in the world, facing the peaks on the blue-black horizon that stretched toward heaven and unfurled before her for days. Facing a mean landscape of angry rivers and hateful rock she stood, a woman, mother of eleven and grandmother of twenty-three. She had not been able to get the trail out of her mind."

So began Emma Gatewood’s remarkable 2,050 mile journey through thirteen states stretching from Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine. More affectionately known as Grandma Gatewood, she would distinguish herself as being the first woman to ever hike the Appalachian Trail alone. She would be celebrated further as being the first person, male or female, to complete the hike three times.

What an uplifting story! I read this with my awesome Goodread’s friend, Melissa, and I’m so glad that we chose this book to share together. Grandma Gatewood lived a hard life to say the least. She toiled away on a farm for most of her life, while caring for loads of children and a creep that wasn’t ashamed to abuse her whenever he felt the urge. The family suffered from financial setbacks, and hardships were a part of the daily routine. After reading about the trail in a National Geographic magazine, she received no formal training for a hike such as the one she decided to tackle. Instead, she relied on determination, instinct, and the skills she acquired after years of struggle and sweat. Grandma didn’t pack up more than she felt necessary for this five month trek. I was shocked to hear that she didn’t even bring along what I would have considered totally essential – a sleeping bag and tent. Instead, she laid her weary body down wherever she could find sanctuary from the elements. Sometimes she slept in shelters along the way; other times she rested right outside with only heated rocks and her own clothing for warmth. On occasion, she would knock on doors along the way and get a little added comfort for the night if the resident happened to feel hospitable. Ironically, "it seemed the bigger the house, the less likely she would be welcome."

Letters, journal entries, newspaper articles, and interviews with family members and folks Grandma Gatewood met along the way were all pieced together by author Ben Montgomery to reproduce her incredible adventure. I loved the many anecdotes of the people she came across on her hike. Some made me laugh and others were endearing. Eventually, despite the fact she had not even told her children where she was headed on that day in May, reporters caught wind of her astonishing voyage and tracked her down on the trail. More often than not, these newshounds were intent on uncovering Grandma’s motive for such an undertaking. After several minutes of chatting, the reporters often walked away as baffled as they had been before meeting her. The book alternates between Emma Gatewood’s past and her hike, providing the reader with an opportunity to not only learn about this woman, but to also give us the chance to reach our own conclusion as to her motivation. I learned quite a bit about the trail itself – the development, its history, other notable hikers, as well as the pastime of walking in general. "The rise of the car in the 1950s was accompanied by the rise of television. At the beginning of the decade, only 9 percent of American households had a TV set. More than half had one by 1954, and 86 percent would own one by the end of the decade. Americans began to experience life not by the soles of their feet, but by the seat of their pants."

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys inspirational non-fiction or those that have an interest in learning more about the Appalachian Trail. It is well-researched, very readable, and highly entertaining. I do believe her journey was not just a physical one, but one to heal the spirit as well.

"So much was behind her. So many memories and trials and miles." ...more

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Dec 27, 2018 ˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ rated it really liked it

Shelves: history

An interesting account of how a senior citizen inadvertently saved the Appalachian Trail by deciding to hike the entire thing. It's a true testament of what can be accomplished without expensive gear but with sheer determination. Grandma's back story is sad but the information about the trail and the kindness of others shown to Grandmas is wonderful. ...more

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