RUN!

"I didn't know rattlesnakes were so green." That was the main thought in my head after my encounter with an angry rattler. I was hiking up a creek with Kolter on my back. My husband had Killian on his back and we were trekking through icy water, up and over boulders, on trail, off trail drawing ever closer to a waterfall, or so the trail information stated.
After what seemed like hours of wet and rugged walking I finally decided to head higher, out of the water, and seek a drier trail. With my head down, watching a game trail grow a little fainter with each step, I heard a distinctive clackclackclack that I don't think I have ever heard before, and hope to never hear again. I looked up, already in a panic although still unsure why, and saw a large green triangular head perched atop a thick, coiled body just peaking out from underneath a rock. Sirens went off in my head and my only thought was, "RUN!"
I whirled around and then realized I had just exposed Kolter to the evil serpent. Of course rationally I knew he was too high off the ground for the snake to pose a threat to his body, but the screaming in my head just needed to get him out of there! I nearly threw myself at my husband and started pushing him down the incline we'd just climbed up. "Snake! Snake! Run!!!" I screamed and pushed and nearly shoved him down. He teetered off balance a bit, seemed unsure of what was happening but willing to run lest his panicked wife toss him and the three year old on his back into the creek. I didn't stop until we reached the creek, about 30 feet away. In my mind I rationalized that the snake wouldn't come near the creek and it's frigid waters. Although looking back I doubt he had followed us anyway, but at the time I was convinced he was in hot pursuit of my flip flop shod feet and nothing short of water would dissuade him from the death of me or my progeny.

Now I carry a snake bite kit.