Back in the saddle......ah, Swamp Buggy?

Hello! Gator D is BACK!

After a 4 year hiatus, Gator D is back in the Everglades with Everglades Adventures (evergladesadventure.com). It has been a long time since I had the privilege of running tours in the Glades but I am looking very forward to each and every day that I can be in that marvelous ecosystem. 

With a refresher ride on the books I took my first solo tour yesterday. The weather cooperated and allowed for a wonderful Swamp Buggy ride with deer, spiders and lots of mosquitos to boot! Then on to the airboat ride where our folks saw the glory of the "River of Grass" up close and personal to include alligators, birds and some spray from the front of the boat as it cruised along the channels and grass lands of the glades. 

We encountered more up close wildlife experiences as we traveled the access road on the Turner River, Birdon Road and Wagon Wheel Road. I imagine we saw at least three dozen gators ranging from 4 feet to 10 feet in length. However, that was not the largest gators we saw because awaiting us at the "Skunk Ape Museum" was Grumpy, the 22 year old, 11 and a half foot monster that Rick has had for a while there for us to enjoy peering at from inside the zoo. Not sure we want to be closer then that for sure!

And then there was Goldie the 24 foot, 375 lb Reticulated Python that we actually got to pet. Some kids and adults alike are a little put off by this monster snake but I have been buddies with her for a lot of years now and am happy for the opportunity to be there with her.

A good lunch at the Oyster House in Everglades City also made a great part of the day, and of course I got Oysters! What a treat!

All in all my first trip back was AMAZING thanks to the crew I had! Thank you Sandra and Gina from Tennessee, Dianne, Hunter and Russell from Georgia and Jim and Ann, also from Georgia! What a great time I had experiencing this wonderful place with you. I cannot get enough!

Well, enough for now! We will see you soon on another great adventure!

Gator D is out and on to his next adventure!