Last year we got up close with the alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp. We survived our first encounter with them. Most would say that was exciting and never go back. Us? We are like that baby in the TV show Dinosaurs. Again!
We has a small campsite at The Stephen C Foster State Park which worked fine for us. With our awning and a side we made a comfortable outside spot on our chilly first few days.
We rented a motor boat hoping to make it out to Big Water Lake. Mrs Ram enjoyed piloting the skiff while Mr Ram looked for obstructions and discerned the route through the swamp.
We were doing well until we neared Minie’s lake. The river branched around a small island. Mr Ram pointed to up river while Mrs Ram insisted that circling the island was the correct route. With no consensus the boat went straight into a tree.
As the sun was heading to the horizon we realized we wouldn’t have enough time to reach Big Water Lake. We really needed over 4 hours with that little 10 hp motor to make it out and back.
Mrs Ram spun us around and headed us back through the “pinballs”. That’s what they call the area where we hit a tree.
The next day was sunny and we headed out in our kayaks. Mrs Ram counted 37 alligators sunning themselves or swimming near us. In one of the inlets, we met a white haired father and his son. They were fishing in a boat bigger than what we had the day before. They thought we were nuts be in our kayaks so close to the ‘gators.
We also saw a number of turtles and this one posed nicely for a photo.
We were exhausted when we returned and were happy the ‘gator was not on the boat ramp like he was last year.