Thursday, February 2, 2012

River run and other stuff

Trust me, this guy is NOT made of concrete!  He was a real, live gator…about 10’ long.  Dick and I were lead canoe when I spotted him sunning himself by the bank of the river.  By the time the fourth canoe came gatoraround, he decided that was enough paparazzi and he was going to check US out and flipped over into the water.  We decided this was HIS turf…and he could have it!  We paddled on and gave him his space.

We saw 3 other smaller gators during the course of our four-hour trip, plus other assorted creatures:  great white heron, baby blue heron, a raccoon, several squirrels, pileated woodpeckers, ibis, butterflies…many turtles…NO bears (thank goodness) nor deer.  The last canoe occupants even spotted a great horned owl.  And the rest of us heard owl hooting later on downstream.

It was a fun trip, with a lunch stop about mid-way through.

Tom, Dixie and Mary Ann went on back home, so that the rest of us could head to Orlando to Scott and Holly’s house for a great dinner and visit with them.  We’ve got to get wee Molly and Mason up to visit with their Mayberry cousins!

It was a tiring day, so everyone was happy to get back home to warm showers.  I know that I will be sporting sore muscles today!

Dick and I say goodbye to Bob and Lynne this morning and then head on back to WPB.  We have stuff to do there, and people to see.  It is time to close up, head out, drive south a bit………park, set up again.

That’s what the Travelingbells do.

And why not?

8 comments:

Barb said...

YIKES! See? You'd be SO glad I wasn't there. I may have capsized your canoe.

And that would be bad.

I wish I could be there tomorrow. I'll be there in spirit and love.

Big hugs xoxo

Jean(ie) said...

Take a dose of Bee's magic cure (one motrin and one tylenol). It will help a lot.

I would have panicked with the gator too...

Enjoy today!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

see you tomorrow honey, wish it was at john g's instead but what will be will be... in someone's words!

hugs, bee
xoxoxoxoxo

Joy said...

I'm glad it was a fun day, and especially glad the gators and sightseers didn't mix it up! Safe traveling back to WPB. Hugs!

ivana said...

Ciao courageous Sandy!
I'd not be run off...then ...I begin no canoe trip with gators absolutely!!!
The other creatures are ...fine!

Have a great Thursday!
Big hugs!!

Anonymous said...

I swear, if I saw a alligator there would be NO getting me back on the water.

Linda said...

I was thinking exactly what Barb wrote! I'm really thinking that the only way I want to see an alligator up close is in the form of a handbag or shoes!

Sounds like WPB is shedding a few tears for Sarge and that's how it should be. I'll be with y'all in spirit and in thought. Give Miss Bee a big hug for me.

Haley D. said...

Your canoe trip and picture bring back fond memories of us canoeing when we were kids. We've got to do this with the girls and their cousins!!!