Rattler !
J: Much better day - great day, even if it was short mileage. Came out of Eagle's Nest Shelter about 8:30 with Sourball and Memphis. We were cruising at 3 mph through tall grass, talking philosophies. I had ragged on the pot smoking in a register -- how could anyone need to alter their perceptions out here? It was way too vivid and cool on its own. They teased me as to why anyone would need to get plowed in town 'for fun', it was way too cool on its own. Touche, gents. Hike your own hike. Try as we might, difficult to leave the habits, judgments, even prejudices of the other world fully behind in our world.
I hiked on while the fellas held back for a water break. Came across a young box turtle. Ah Greaser, your girl is trying to catch up with you. Then surprised by a long dull copper brown fat-bodied snake. Body was along the trail, doubled-up with its head resting on its fat body, sunning. It was asleep - and wow - what a pretty timber rattler! Just lazing about, soaking up the sun in the only bare spot in that neck of the woods. The path was bounded tightly by stinging nettles deep into the understory. I'm in my ragged shorts, boots and gators -- hardly bushwhacking attire.
We gazed at each other for a few minutes, then it grew nervous - maybe I shifted my pack weight or the wind took my scent to it. I don't know. But it coiled slowly, bringing its tail out from under the leaves. Finally, quietly at first, it rattled. The tongue flickered quickly, incessantly, and the body swelled faster in keeping with its respirations. All this over three or 4 minutes.
About then, Memphis came up from behind. And Sourball. The snake was maybe five feet in length from what we could guess, gazing intently at us. Then it moved east, just off trail on to a log parallel to our path. Not far enough off for our comfort - keeping a respectful distance from him.
Rattlers can only strike the distance of their coil, but we weren't interested in biology facts at the time, only the way the snake was headed. Minutes passed. The snake stayed on its edge, watching us. We stood there, sweating, watching it. Finally Memphis and I skirted past; Sourball thinking about it and watching our progress. Just as I got beyond the snake, it headed straight away from the trail into the deeper nettle brush. Within seconds, we were all in the woods, with an open understory. Hearts could return to a mellower pace - what a rush!