A single word can change the way we move through the world.
On the AT Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls, I take a walk with Grandma Gatewood—brought to life by storyteller Anne Van Curen—and trace how grit, faith, and the quiet power of nature helped transform a life marked by hardship into one guided by purpose.
What begins with a dog-eared 1949 National Geographic becomes a 2,050-mile act of courage across the Appalachian Trail, stitched together by starry nights, pink lady’s slippers, and the kindness of strangers who appear when the road looks longest.
We talk about the moment that set everything in motion: a choice to leave an abusive marriage and step into the woods with nothing certain except the next mile. Gatewood explains why grit mattered most on lonely ridgelines, how Georgia’s mountains humbled her legs and strengthened her will, and why the cathedral of a clear night sky felt like medicine for the soul.
In 1955, at age 67, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail, walking more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine with little more than a homemade sack, a blanket, and a fierce determination to keep going. Her journey not only inspired generations of hikers but also helped bring national attention to the Appalachian Trail itself.
Along the way, the myth of the lone hiker gives way to something deeper—trail community. Free shoes offered in small towns, hot meals shared at kitchen tables, and the quiet generosity of people who helped carry her forward one mile at a time.
This story isn’t about breaking records. It’s about reclaiming a life, one step at a time.
We explore resilience, the healing power of time outdoors, and the way the Appalachian Trail invites honesty: no noise, no hurry, just the steady practice of putting one foot in front of the other.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a walk could change your story, Gatewood’s voice is a compass pointing toward the nearest trailhead.
Join us as we take one word, one walk, deep in the woods.
This conversation was recorded during the AT Gateways event at Amicalola Falls State Park. Grandma Gatewood was portrayed by storyteller Anne Van Curen, whose historical programs bring the life and legacy of Gatewood to audiences across the country.
