Former Court Reporter Climbs New Mountains

Sometimes the journey is as exciting as the destination. That excitement was palpable as Patsy Berry prepared to hike the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Story and photo by Gerald McLeod

This article first appeared in the Fall 2013 issue of Connections.

"I wanted to get up and go yesterday,” says Patsy, a retired court reporter from Kaufman County. She and her nephew, Gary Lee, had planned to start the six- to seven-month-long hike last spring, but health issues and family emergencies got in the way.

“I told him that he’d better be ready, because I’m going with or without him,” the active 64-year-old says. “I’ve already got my hiking boots broken in and ready.”

Officially known as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the footpath extends from northern Georgia to northern Maine. The first section of the trail opened in 1923 in New York. It now connects 14 states on the Eastern Seaboard through the Appalachian Mountain range.

The trail passes through some of the most scenic and often most rugged wilderness areas in the East, including the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. In New Hampshire, the path climbs as high as 6,288 feet on Mount Washington. In Virginia, hikers weave their way through lowland forests.

Making plans

Patsy and her nephew, who is 10 years her junior, plan to start the trek in the middle of the Appalachian Trail and hike north. Then they’ll rest a few days before going back to their starting point and hike the southern portion in the cooler months. Along the way she will be in regular contact with her son, who also will be mailing her supplies.

The 11th of 12 children, Patsy grew up a tomboy following her six brothers. She has had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing, and she was an avid bow hunter on her family’s deer hunting lease for many years. But cross-country hiking is new to her. When Gary suggested they try a trail hike, she discovered the Appalachian Trail.

“What worries me about the trip is crossing the rivers. Not all of them have bridges. With all the inherent dangers of such a trip, I don’t know why that’s what concerns me the most,” Patsy says. “It will be a huge challenge, both physically and mentally, but I’m so excited. I can’t wait,”

Though she’s been a camper all her life, Patsy is taking classes at a local sporting goods store on survival techniques, first aid and reading topographical maps.

“I also want to know what I can eat along the trail in case a bear takes off with my pack,” she says.

Of course, building her endurance has been a big part of her preparation and Patsy is working with a personal trainer.

“It’s a lot different to be climbing a wilderness trail than walking around the neighborhood,” she admits. “My trainer is really working me hard. Sometimes I feel like my nose is about to hit the floor, but it’s worth it.”

Patsy and Gary plan to start the trip next March. In the meantime, Patsy and her son are planning a two-day hike on the Lone Star Trail in Southeast Texas this fall.

“It’s actually good that our [Appalachian Trail] trip got postponed because it has given me more time to prepare,” she says.

No time to slow down

Patsy retired in August 2012 after 37 years as a court reporter with Kaufman County.

“I loved the people and loved the job,” she says. “But one day I woke up and I just decided it was time to retire. Looking back, I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner.”

Born and raised in West Texas, she was going to business school in Abilene when she discovered court reporting.

“It sounded a lot more exciting than being a secretary,” she says. She graduated from a Fort Worth court reporting school in an astounding 15 months.

“I took that [stenography] machine with me everywhere,” she laughs. “I was highly motivated to finish quickly. I had three small children to feed.”

After graduation she and her children settled into life in Kaufman. It was the perfect combination of a small town close enough to the big city of Dallas.

“I’ve been sitting on my buns for 37 years,” Patsy says. “It’s time to get up and get moving.” With 10 grandchildren and nine siblings scattered around the state, she stays on the go. Somehow she still finds time to do an occasional freelance transcribing job.

“I know it’s been said before, but I don’t know how I ever had time to go to work,” she says. “I’m busier now than I’ve ever been and enjoying it more.”

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