The Snake Tree

The Snake Tree references one of my first camping trips to Inks Lake in 2010.

Alongside three other families, we were assigned the world’s best campsite. The site was right on the lake, just behind a little alcove worn into the shoreline. We played there all weekend, climbing up and over and all around this fantastic live oak that had grown parallel to the water’s surface. The Texas weather was absolutely perfect until a powerful thunderstorm on our third night. By the time the rain had passed, we had all grown a bit stir crazy and could not wait to get back to our tree. I remember unzipping our tent door to be surprised by a dozen park rangers surrounding our favorite playing spot. It was not clear to me what they were investigating until I got closer to find what looked like the bark of our favorite tree moving. The rain had exposed a massive nest of Texas Diamondback water snakes at the very base of our perfect tree. Through snake like motivic gestures, bird call abstractions, and raining trills, The Snake Tree seeks to capture moments from this unforgettable trip.