#197 . . .snake hunting and then some . . .

Last evening .. .

we took a trek up to the vineyard ...

to watch the sun set.

We were feeling rather relieved .. .

no more snake hunting for us. .

we are done with that sport.

Well. . .perhaps feeling as exhilarated as this fellow might be a stretch. . .

and yet ..

I can't think how many times we've gone snake hunting in the last few days. . .

needing one picture to prove we had.

There was much laughter ..

recalling the first sightings ..

who saw it first. .

The first sighting was quite frightful really.

We were walking along a path .. .

that did warn there may be rattlers ..

but we wondered if it was a bit of hoopla ..

for the tourists.

We were walking side by side. .

chatting . .

and suddenly my beloved lifted his left leg rather high . .

and jumped ever so slightly. .

I followed his eyes ..

the rattler was coiled about one foot to the side ..

rattling his little tail.

He uncoiled and snuck between two rocks. .

and we continued up the path.

Fifty feet up the path ..

I saw a little fellow. . .

and grabbed my beloved's arm ..

jumping quite high. .

and he in turn. .

jumped vertically about 3 feet. .

When he saw the little snake . .

yet without his rattle. .

he cautioned me about false reports of real snakes. .

a guy could get a fright . . .

nearly screaming like a school girl.

Of course .. that day we had no camera. .

and have not left the campsite without it since.

You can imagine how hard they are to spot. .

quite good at hiding.

It's all good. .

tomorrow we can report we saw a snake . . .

and have him moved away from the campsite.

I've been amazed really. .
at the beauty of the desert.


It proves again . .
that every thing can be beautiful .. .
when they bloom where they are intended to be.


Even a weed. .
still amazingly gorgeous ..

It's been such a wonderful time away . ..

we've decided we like warm weather camping. .

just fine.

We're missing our little ones . .

and found our way to the shops today.

Last year. .

I was disappointed to see that Roxy and Quicksilver sizes started for toddlers. .

we have those now. .

and bought treats.

It's hard not to make animal sounds .. .

. .both of us . .

looking at each other. . .

knowing how pathetic we are.

Every day . . .

we thought about finishing the merc at home . .

reminders of what fun it will be when she's done next spring. .

I mentioned that when he is finished the merc . .

he will have to find me a . ..

grand getter . . .

something with at least room for three in the back. . .

he wont' be hard to convince. .

he's planning many rides to the DQ. .

picking up a grand on the way.

I'll be keeping my eyes open. ..

and today . ..

we'll not leave the campsite. . .

not far anyways ..

we're expecting visitors. . .

How fun!

Next Monday .. . I'll be back reporting from the bungalow . .

All for now . .