It was hot in Nebraska so we kept our front curtain pulled all week to help keep the sun out. What we didn't know is that two snakes liked the heat and found their way in and enjoyed the dashboard. Imagine my surprise when I pulled the curtain back on our get-away day!!! One snake all curled up between the curtain and the windshield!! The snake was yellow and brown, about an inch in diameter, at least two feet long.
It slithered into the window defrost vents. I pulled the trim (about 30 screws) but couldn't see it. Turned on the heater to high, put the fan on high on the defrost setting. It emerged and went to the driver's side window. We assisted it out with a mop handle. Of course it showed it's displeasure by shaking it's tail and striking out a couple times. Was it a rattler? I don't know.
Half an hour later we were heading towards Iowa and my wife began to scream! Another snake!!!!! This one larger!!! I didn't know where it was, I put on cruise control and lifted my feet off the floor. All she would say between screams was that my feet were not in jeopardy. I managed to get off the highway and pull over to a safe place. Then my dearest one said it was on the steering column and every time she screamed it would retreat. I bounded out of my seat and looked. There we were, face to face. The whole time it was within a foot of my hands and legs!!!!
It slithered up to the dashboard and disappeared down the vents. I turned the heater on high again, put on the fan while using the defrost setting and opened the window. It never came out. Suddenly we saw it on the ground, looking for a safe haven. It found a big hole in the concrete and disappeared without waving goodbye with it's tail. This one was definitely bigger, at least 3 feet long, at least inch and a half in diameter.
I don't know where it got out or in, somewhere in the heating/cooling system. Where and how do I start looking? We have a Vortec 8.1 engine.
Not that it matters, we could have picked up a snake or two anywhere in the country, but these two joined us at Walnut Creek Campground in Papillion, NE. Lots of high grass in the vicinity. Great little campground that always gets high ratings. We might be the first to report driving away with some of their slithering wildlife.
This retelling of the story does not convey the fear, panic, or excitement that was going in our rig. Imagine it happening to you and your co-pilot and you might start feeling the rush of adrenalin that I feel right now just telling you about it.
2005 Kountry Star with a 4 cyl. Saturn Vue with stick shift.
Mike and Rose and Pepper, our All-American black lap dog.
