There will probably be snakes in the area but most likely won't bother you. Just make make a little noise when in the woods and wear sturdy shoes and socks. Most of the snakes are nonpoisonous. The cottonmouth water moccasin and copperhead are the poisonous ones. They have hooded eyes while the nonpoisonous ones have round eyes. A sturdy stick probably wouldn't hurt either. Just be alert and you should be okay. Usually they are as scared of you as you are of them. You also need some sort of insect repellent for mosquitoes and chiggers. Check your skin for ticks too. Wearing a hat helps. Also watch out for poison ivy. It has 3 shiny leaves with a reddish stem. Leaves of three, let them be. Be sure to take a shower when you come in from tramping in the woods if you've been near poison ivy. The itchy rash can make you miserable. http://poisonivy.aesir.com/ Don't mean to scare you. Where you are going may be fully developed and you might not find yourself tramping through the woods. Edith > From: [email protected] > Thanks for the information. I was planning on the end of August beginning > of September. I live in California. Are the snakes poisonous ? I have been > trying to study maps from the civil war and locate properties and where > cemeteries are. Thank you

There are three species of Poisonous Snakes in Va., Cottonmouth Moccasin, Rattle Snake and Copperhead. They are all dangerous and should not be handled. Most all snakes hibernate during the freezeing season, usually between November and April. Do not lift old tin, boards or other material under which a snake can hide. Rattle snakes give a warning by rattling the rattles on their tail. Copperheads are sneaky and will strike from the weeds beside a path, water moccicans are usually near creeks or rivers and will bite in the water as well as on land. Carry a strong stick and beat the weeds ahead of you and usually the snakes will run away. Good Luck! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va.