when in my hiking phase in the late 80s and 90s i read about her ... think it was in BACKPACKER. believe the article was about 'ultralight' backpacking. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Wed, 8/12/09, Joe Murphy <seagray@embarqmail.com> wrote: All this discussion of foods brought me back to the 70's when I used to do a lot of backpacking. In a store in Vienna VA, Appalachian Outfitters, there was a tattered newspaper article about Grandma Gatewood who starting in her 60's hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail..... three times. Her food? Dried beef, nuts & Cheese, saltines, and vienna sausage!! She hiked the trail, not in super designer boots, but in Keds sneakers. Carried an army blanket for sleeping, a shower curtain for her shelter, and a rain cape. She carried everything in a sack that she slung over one shoulder. I guess when all was said and done the one question she didn't get from any of her 23 grandchildren was "What's for dinner, Grandma???"" Joe