I haven’t revisited the thread yet this morning but one thought struck me, and that was my childhood and young adulthood, growing up at the foot of an isolated, small southern mountain range. Lots of snakes, from your garden variety nonpoisonous on up to rattlrsnakes.
When hiking or even near wooded areas in unseasonably cool weather during summer, or during unseasonably warm weather in late fall, winter and early spring, you need to watch yourself near rock outcroppings and such that absorb and hold heat. Snakes seek such places out when they’re cold.
Look in the warm places.
We go watch the fireworks at Antietam Battlefield every year.
The most horrifying thing I ever saw was the flatlanders sitting their barelegged kids on the dry stone walls to watch the show.
July 4th is usually a hot night...and the Coppers are very active.
Ugh.