Rock Island WI ~ Paul and The Water Snakes

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 

We are preparing to leave the dock at Rock Harbor around at 8:00 am. Paul and the Park Ranger, who arrived via boat this morning, stopped by to chat. Paul offered to help us with our docking lines as we maneuvered our departure. He made note of the water snakes that were just beginning to slither their way up the dock wall to sit and sun themselves.  He told us that there would be about 30 of them before the sun got too high.  I was so glad we did not know about the snakes when we arrived yesterday.  Paul said he has an understanding with the snakes which will bite if provoked.  The agreement: He won't bother them and they won't bite him. 

Rock Island Water Snakes

The Park Ranger told us that unpleasant boaters come to the island and don't want help with docking.  They are rude and difficult, and sometimes unkind to Paul.  These folks were often directed to tie up on the outside of the dock. We had been directed to tie up on the inside. The Ranger explained that the snakes only climb the outside of the dock.  Boaters are not informed of the snakes morning routine. At times, a snake has been known to board a docked vessel, usually to sit in the sun on the swim platform. Paul giggled as the Ranger described hearing screams from boaters just off shore when a wayward snake had been discovered. It was very nice to know that we were thought of as friendly and considerate boaters.

Caretaker Paul and Beth keeping an eye on the snakes!