Ben's Hiking Adventure

Sam enjoying the view as the tallest Browder on the outing.

A peek of the lake through the trees.

Here's how it feels to step on a snake!


Back at the car...no snakes in sight, all is well.
Notice the new Yakima cargo box...no cramming things in every little space of the car for a road trip again!

We're done hiking? Okay, now I'm happy!

Once the boys woke from their rests this afternoon we set out to hike on a Forest Service road just a little way up the Mount Rose Highway. We had heard from several people that the views of the lake from the road are amazing, as are the rock outcroppings. We also thought it would be nice to have a wide and well-traveled path while hiking with the boys.

In the years that Brian and I have been hiking and driving around the lake we have seen our share of wildlife.....squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, coyotes, fish, and many varieties of birds including Stellar's Jays, hawks and chickadees. In fact, on a snowshoeing outing to a ridge overlooking the lake we were bombarded by several chickadees who were very interested in our lunch.....even being so bold as to land on Brian's hat while he was sitting.

But in our time outside we had never once seen a snake. Until today.

We had made it only about a hundred yards from the car with Brian and Sam (in the backpack) leading the way, me following, and Ben behind me when the excitement began. I paused at one point to snap a photo of the lake through the trees then continued the uphill climb. Ben followed my footsteps toward the edge of the road to see the lake too. The next thing I knew Ben was yelling, "Snake! I saw a snake!" And the kid was running - FAST! Brian and I both turned in time to see a smooth, brownish snake that was at least two feet long slithering over the side of the road to the safety of the forest below. When Ben reached me his heart was racing and he was shaking. Soon the tears began to fall as the fright hit him.

We continued on but now Ben was clinging to my hand with an iron grip and would occasionally let out a sob. He repeatedly told us that he didn't want to see another snake. I could tell that he was still scared by the way his gaze was continually on the ground assessing whether sticks and twigs would move. As we hiked on he said that he didn't want to step on a snake again. Step on a snake?! No wonder the kid was freaked out!

Eventually we turned around, before we hit the really great views of the lake. Ben was further disturbed when a bug of some sort decided to do an up-close fly-by. That was the last straw.

Luckily, he hiked himself back down the hill though he did cry the entire way. Just before we reached the car we encountered two women with some rock climbing gear. I explained that Ben had stepped on a snake. They were both quite understanding and I was relieved that we didn't appear to be parents who force our children to be outside!

Our big concern now is that Ben will no longer want to go hiking due to this traumatic experience. He is the kid who refused to ride his tricycle for weeks because one afternoon Brian accidentally pinched his chin with the buckle on the helmet strap!

Based on the very quick glimpse of the snake and input from Ben, the Internet has led us to believe that the snake Ben encountered was a rubber boa. A rather benign fellow in the snake world. Thank goodness!