Snakes

Snakes
July 28, 1987

Dennis has never been fond of snakes. In fact, I would call him paranoid. In my experience, seeing a dangerous snake happens less frequently in Colorado than seeing a wild grizzly in Alaska.

His apprehension grew as we approached Dad's Walsenburg land in southern Colorado, a semi-desert area with gamble oak and pinon pine the principal vegetation.

He was obviously thinking about snakes during our visit with the neighbors. "Sure," said Mr. Maes, "there are snakes here, plenty of them up in those rocks." He gestured, and followed up with stories of various snake encounters in the area. We were shown a plant which, if eaten, crushed on the skin, or planted around the house would repel snakes. Dennis was visibly alarmed, more so than I thought was warranted for our two-day visit to the area. Before we left, I wanted to dispel his fear if possible.

"In the sixty-some years you've lived and farmed here, Mr. Maes," I asked, "how many rattlesnakes have you personally seen?"

"One," he replied.

Later, in Morocco, Dennis was accosted by a snake charmer who wrapped a snake around his neck (see the photo). Fortunately, it didn't bite. Maybe it was charmed!