NO world record here, but while easing down a caliche road just about dusk last evening, I came across a snake trying to cross the road. As I pulled my pickup up to block its path, so I could determine whether it was a harmful serpent or not, I saw the diamond pattern on his back, the stripes around the tail and the rattles.

I quickly backed up, took aim with my left front tire, and charged ahead. In my rearview mirror, I could see the snake was well on its way back from whence it came. I donutted around and headed back to try to crush him as he bolted toward the high grass flanking the road. Another miss.

Now he is slithering across the caliche again, toward his original destination. and I tried to back over him. He is coiled in the middle of the road. I cant miss. I bolt forward, then backup and just catch a glimpse of him as he snakes into the grass.

Not only am I proved to be a failure at murder by vehicle, but to my horror, my last glimpse of him reveals that his rattles are gone. He has no way of warning his potemtial victims.

Oops!

Ouch. He's probably going to remember your truck also.