Driving through a western state, I saw a great view. One that just begged for a picture, but I was too low for a excellent shot. Found what seemed to be a easy trail up. The first part of the trail was easy. I stumbled a couple of times. Then I slipped on some rocks and cut my knee. Well I was 1/2 way up, so I went on. Reaching up to a ledge I felt something soft in my hand. It was a snake. What he was doing up there on that ledge I don't know. How he got up there would be another question. Acting as a hero would, I tossed him before he could bite me. Being the non hero I am, I also panicked, lost my footing and passed the snake on the way down. Lucky for me I only fell and rolled about 15 feet. The snake kept on going. My knee, now being gouged twice, was bleeding just a bit and really started to hurt. Being the photo nut and idiot I am, I'd give it one more shot. Got past the "snake" ledge, scrapped my bad knee some more. Stepped in a wide crack, twisted my ankle, lost my balance and ripped my pants. Now I've got a bad ankle and a bad knee not on the same legs. Limp ouch, limp ouch, I went on. I finally got a break, the trail smoothed out. Slipping around the last blind spot on the trail, much to my disappointment I was met by this scene. Like the title says I should have known better. Nothing ever comes easy. I took the picture. I proceeded to slip, slide and crawl back down. Limp, ouch, limp ouch. I got about two thirds down and there was the snake. I swear he was waiting on me. Narrow trail, no other way down but to jump over the edge and a snake with a good memory in front of me. People say you should always try to talk yourself out of a bad situation. I gave it a shot. Mr Snake was not receptive. He was mad and got real aggressive. I figured my only chance was either to try to jump over him or try to kick him off the trail. Looking at the pros and cons, if I jumped over him he might bite me where the pain would be the greatest. If I tried to kick him off, he might just end up waiting for me someplace down the trail. As I had a date that night, I went for the kick attempt. Looking back on my choices, I overlooked the idea of getting bit while kicking. I kicked, he snagged my pants, I again panicked. Ran right over the edge of the trail, snake still snagged in my pants leg. Bad ankle and knee were hurting to the max. I slid down a 12 foot incline, landed on my butt and the snake bit my boot. bit it again. Now he is snagged on/in my boot. Using my foot with the bad ankle I got my other boot off. Having only one boot, I took flight. Limp ouch ouch, Limp ouch ouch. Beaten, battered, bruised and having to change my pants, I made it back to the car. Reaching for my keys I found a big hole in my pocket. Must have fallen out some place back up there. No way..!!! I picked up a rock, tossed it at the drivers side window and I have to guess I didn't throw it hard enough as it bounced back and cut open my forehead. I threw it again. This time it not only went through the drivers side window, but the passengers side as well. At this point I remembered I had a spare key under the left front fender. From now on I take my pictures from the road...!!!