[ponyakr]

Was on a blackberry picking expedition, when I walked along the driver side of an old '69 Bird. It is one of three '69 parts cars, which I've been storing for a friend. I approached the car from the rear, and just as I passed by the rear window opening, I was startled by a loud rattle. Yes, it was the unmistakable sound of a big rattlesnake !

It was up on the sundeck, just under where the rear glass would have been. It was coiled, with head up--ready to strike. My right arm probably passed within 3 to 4 feet of it's head. Don't know if that was close enuff for a bite or not. As soon as I heard the sound, I just automatically jumped sideways, away from the snake. When a safe distance away, I turned around to look. It was still there, staring back at me, head raised, rattle shaking.

Well, that experience made me shake a little, when I realized how close I came to getting bit. During my berry pickin trips, I've been careful to look before I step. And, I was looking down as I walked by the Bird. But I was not expecting to encounter a snake that high off the ground.

Anyhow, I went back today and killed the snake. It measured just over 51 inches long, and has either 10 or 11 rattles and a button. After, I killed that one, I could hear some noise from somewhere down inside the trunk or back seat area. I figure the noise was probably made by a mate. Couldn't get the trunk lid open. I'll keep checkin on it, and try to get that one, if possible. I've heard they run pairs. Killed a pair at my sisters house, a couple of years back.

Pics won't upload for some reason. May have to resize and post later.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Was on a blackberry picking expedition, when I walked along the driver side of an old '69 Bird. It is one of three '69 parts cars, which I've been storing for a friend. I approached the car from the rear, and just as I passed by the rear window opening, I was startled by a loud rattle. Yes, it was the unmistakable sound of a big rattlesnake !

It was up on the sundeck, just under where the rear glass would have been. It was coiled, with head up--ready to strike. My right arm probably passed within 3 to 4 feet of it's head. Don't know if that was close enuff for a bite or not. As soon as I heard the sound, I just automatically jumped sideways, away from the snake. When a safe distance away, I turned around to look. It was still there, staring back at me, head raised, rattle shaking.

Well, that experience made me shake a little, when I realized how close I came to getting bit. During my berry pickin trips, I've been careful to look before I step. And, I was looking down as I walked by the Bird. But I was not expecting to encounter a snake that high off the ground.

Anyhow, I went back today and killed the snake. It measured just over 51 inches long, and has either 10 or 11 rattles and a button. After, I killed that one, I could hear some noise from somewhere down inside the trunk or back seat area. I figure the noise was probably made by a mate. Couldn't get the trunk lid open. I'll keep checkin on it, and try to get that one, if possible. I've heard they run pairs. Killed a pair at my sisters house, a couple of years back.

Pics won't upload for some reason. May have to resize and post later.

Glad you're here to tell the story!....(and post the pics) Probably right about the other one. Can't imagine anything else that would be hanging out in his neighborhood.

[Greg Reid]

Man, that's a bruiser. Old folks used to always warn us kids to watch out for snakes when picking berries. I guess small prey hang around those areas.

[Engine-Ear]

...you can call me a chicken (or a .....), but reading / seeing that is all I need to stay where I am. Yes our winters are cold and snowy, but I will never encounter rattlers (and friends) up here in Wisconsin.

Thanks for the continued story, ponyakr.

[JIMMYM]

ponyakr where do you live

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by JIMMYM

ponyakr where do you live

North Central Louisiana.

Online info says the snake is called a "Timber" or "Canebrake" rattlesnake.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...mber%20rattler

There is plenty of timber & cane where this snake was.

Went back today. No sign of the mate.

Meanwhile, back to the nostalgia bracket car story, I just watched the local weather report. 70% chance of rain and T-storms Fri, continuing Sat.

Oh well, I'll make it to the track some time this season.

[ponyakr]

Well, all the blackberries are about gone. But, it's time for the Southwest Believers Convention ! There are several speakers, including former hot rodders, drag racers, a paint & body man, a rock musician, a commercial pilot, and even a decorated Top Gun pilot.

There should be something for everybody. There'll be great speakers, and lots of ministry to spirits & bodies. Ya'll can check it out on the Dish network ch 265. It's also available online, live and recorded.

http://www.bvovn.com/

http://www.kcm.org/events/2016/2016-...ers-convention

http://www.kcm.org/sites/swbc/

http://www.kcm.org/watch/live/optin

I just had some cold, sweet, 4th of July watermeleon.

Now, I'm watchin Keith Moore, at the SW Believer's Convention. It's a great 4th, so far !

[ponyakr]

Saturday, TJ & I went to a car show in West Monroe, LA. Most all the area Pontiac guys were there. There were four 1st gen Birds, two 2nd gen Birds, 2 A-bodies, a '69 GP, & a Pontiac powered Chevy truck !

Nice to meet up with the Pontiac guys, and talk about the old Pontiacs !

TJ took a few pics, including some engine shots. She had already taken a pic of an engine when she realized it was a Chevy engine. So, she didn't even bother takin a pic of the car. It's great to have a Pontiac wife !

[skipp65]

Wow, good for you! Alcohol is a controlled substance , too much substance and it controls you!

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by skipp65

Wow, good for you! Alcohol is a controlled substance , too much substance and it controls you!

Agreed! Moderation is tough. Abstinence solves that one, but we're imperfect (therein lies the challenge!). Admittedly, I'm not there yet.

[87PONT.TA]

might be able to find a few more miller pony. who wants one! lol

[MUSLCAH]

How much for the paperback book ?? jk

[ponyakr]

Just left our local show. All our Pontiac gang was there. Had everything from Mikey's '64 Lemans to Tab's late 2nd gen Bird.

[ponyakr]

The last pic shows 4 of us old Pontiac codgers, holding a Pontiac Pow-Wow. Parts of 2 more of our gang are barely visible, seated, across the street. One more is out of view, behind the '68 Bird, on the hill. And, one more, with a Pontiac powered S-10 drag truck is roaming around somewhere.

We were sittin beside Mikey's '64 Lemans, which was beside Wild Bill's '69 Bird. As WB was draggin up a chair, to join our group, we heard a bump, then a groan from Mikey. But, I don't think the Lemans was totaled.

There ain't many of us. So, it's good to get together ever now & then.

And, I'd better not forget to mention that TJ was also present, & took the pics. I'll have to include her as part of our Pontiac club, considering her experience with both street & drag Pontiacs. We had a hilarious time racin our old Ponyaks & whuppin up on the high dollar Chevies !!!

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Just left our local show. All our Pontiac gang was there. Had everything from Mikey's '64 Lemans to Tab's late 2nd gen Bird.

Look like Pontiac folks are in high cotton around there. Nice quality of cars.

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Look like Pontiac folks are in high cotton around there. Nice quality of cars.

Yeah, only one local Pontiac guy was missing. Don't know if he has something against the car show officials, or what. Anyhow, he has a nice original '77 Bandit car, and an '81 T/A which he bought new.

I've posted pics of both cars, from a previous show. But they're worth posting again.

[ponyakr]

Made it to the Saline Watermelon Festival today, for the 1st time. Actually, I made it to the Fri of the festival many times, on my milk route. But, never made it to the Sat festivities.

Today, I made the car show, saw the parade, took lots of pics, and had a pow-wow with some of the area Pontiac boys. There were 5 of us, total. But, there were only 3 Pontiac powered vehicles.

2 of 'em entered the parade. I'll post some show & parade pics.

The larger melons, pictured below were $15 ! I left 'em all in Saline. Didn't see anybody buy one. I remember driving my milk truck out to a field near Saline, and paying a price of 3 for $1. But hey, that was a LONG time ago. Gas was probably still under 40 cents a gal.

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by MUSLCAH

How much for the paperback book ?? jk

Nope, ain't gonna be no book. I might be a little fuzzy on some of the minute details. But, most everything in this thread happened exactly as I described it. It's just a fairly detailed account of a big part of our lives, as we remember it.

And much of it is supported by records & pics. TJ is an eye witness to most of it. Any MANY others witnessed some of it. Made lots of mistakes, & were budget limited. But, we didn't give up. Eventually won lots of races & had LOTS of fun. And, we had some very interesting experiences along the way.

[Greg Reid]

Were they good n' sweet? I had some ice cold with lunch today. Can't beat it after being out doing yard work all morning.

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Were they good n' sweet? I had some ice cold with lunch today. Can't beat it after being out doing yard work all morning.

I'm sure they were. Saline melons have always been top quality. They say it's got something to do with the type of soil in the area around Saline. There have always been roadside melon peddlers in this area. All they do is park, on the side of the road or in a parking lot, and put out a makeshift sign that reads "Saline Melons". And, even at today's higher prices, people still stop & buy 'em.

But, at those prices, TJ & I will just keep buying the small Wal-Mart $5 melons. All of 'em we've had this year have been real good. And, with the smaller size, the halves will fit easily into our fridge.

On the way back from the festival, I stopped in at our local all-you-can-eat "ching-chong" place, for lunch. Had LOTS of catfish, shrimp, & other stuff, including watermelon.