kodi

Thank you ladies. I know it's so hard to understand , even hardly to live with such a severe phobie. but , yes even pictures of snakes upset me. NOt like seeing one in person, mind you, but still. I would never go to see that new movie Snakes. I avoided the TV ads for it.
Believe me it's not fun having a phobia, and I appreciate the advice.
I really want to visit these parts of the USA, but don't think I'd venture out on hikes in the desert. A car trip would be great. I just didn't want to see pictures and signs everywhere. YOu've made me feel better.

I know at Mammoth Caves there were warnings and I was scared to death.

Again, thank you. Even though it doesn't make sense to you, you've been kind enough to answer.

LarryT

Re snakes not liking hot sunshine. They are 'cold blooded' creatures and have little ability to control their internal temperature. Therefore, they tend to come out in the early morning and late evening to get the warm sunshine but do lurk in the shady spots during the heat of the day. Use good common sense and do not place hands or feet anywhere that you can not see what might be there (i.e., around logs & rocks, etc). One sign I remember well said: "Please stay on the marked trails. Snakes need their privacy too." This time of year you may see the Fall migration of tarantulas but they are basically harmless. PS: Don't know where they are going but I decided on the other directions.

laurelee

Oh,dear, just when I was about to get our tickets for Santa Fe to celebrate my 50th--I read about the snakes. The thing is, I, too, hate snakes--and spiders, AND , one of the main reasons we are going is to hike! I know it's silly, but now I'm undecided again. Will I be worried about he creatures all the time-so ridiculous but real to me.

DebitNM

GO! I have never seen a snake on a trail in the 4 years I lived in NM! Don't let the "what if" deter you and cause you to miss a wonderful place to celebrate!

Debi

mei

I don't think it's strange to have a phobia....what I can't believe is that you've only encountered 1 snake in your life. I live in a suburban NJ neighborhood and I've seen several around here and I spend my summer in New England and see at least 5 every summer.

Anyway, I've hiked a ton in New Mexico including the areas you're talking about, I can't remember ever seeing a snake in any of those places. Tamaya is very nice.

laurelee

Fall migration of tarantulas? Where might I see that??

Kal

I've seen and been bitten by more snakes here than I ever have in the Sierra Foothills or the woods of West PA.

laurelee

Debit---My husband really wants me to book this trip-and I'm draggin my feet. Tell me some wonderful things about Santa Fe--please!

mikemo

I found a baby rattlesnake under my kitchen table in Dallas a few years ago - the babies are nasty since they nearly always totally envenomate and it's very toxic.
Just a handful + of scorpions here.
M

kodi

Laurelee, please let us know if you do go and please report back on your return. I hope you go and hope you have a great time. I will go to the Santa Fe area for sure, but not at all sure I'll do any hiking.
Perhaps winter is a better time for me.
Is it cold enough for me to feel safe then?

Mikemo, I would have died!
My friends are amazed at what I accomplished when I took the cure... but I can't see going through it all again. Even when I look at my pictures, it's hard for me to believe I did what I had to do.


Good luck to Melissa and Laurelee.

laurelee

Kodi-I am trying to decide between Santa Fe and the Big Sur area-both nice areas for hiking, beautiful scenery, good food. The tarantula thing scares me more than the snakes..I just don't want to have to hold back on our hiking if I'm always wondering what could crawl across my path. I'm trying to be reasonable about this--I'll let you know!
Good luck to you too!