Woke up and the sun is shining. We get out of the depressing gray! So excited. We had our usual breakfast (tea, cereal) and did our usual morning routine – computer reading and emails. Michael heard from a really nice lady in the Atlanta area that we’re planning on meeting when we’re there in a couple of weeks. We love our blog family and friends.
We left around 1:00 PM and went to the Office Depot to get our business cards.
The Metlife blimp was overhead.After almost two years, we got some business cards.Great old Chevy pickup.
They turned out really cute. Glad we have them to give out to people we meet. After Office Depot, we headed to Gatorland. Michael had mentioned he wanted to go to Gatorland a week or so ago, but then we saw it cost almost $30.00 per person to see some alligators. Well, we decided to bite the bullet and just go (since the sun was shining and it’s a glorious day).
Getting to Gatorland was a little difficult because our GPS took us to the other side of the road, and the traffic was a little backed up.
Near Gatorland, saw two vultures and then noticed….A bunch to the side.Most US vultures must winter in Florida.
We finally got there and a lady asked us to take a picture in the gator’s mouth at the entrance to Gatorland. Once we had taken her picture, she gave us a free ticket. How nice is that. Then, when we were in line this same lady said if we were military veterans, we got in free. When we talked to the lady in the booth, and promised her we were both veterans (which we are – Michael was Army and I was Navy), we got in free. We then gave our free ticket to a cute young family behind us. Loved it! We’re going to start bring our DD214 (military discharge papers) with us.
They bill themselves as the very first theme park in Florida.
Waited 10 minutes and gave up. These little kids were as responsive as cats to their parent’s directions.
We got into Gatorland and walked around for just a little bit before the Upclose Encounters show started. At this show they basically brought out big spiders and big snakes. What was the most interesting was the background they would give on the creatures. They also did the background/history at the Gator Wrestlin’ Show. Not much wrestling going on – but fun shows. We also stayed for the Gator Jumparoo Show, where the alligators jump up to eat some chicken on a line they hang above them.
Once inside, holy cow, they have got alligators!
On the shore, on the grass…and birds everywhere with them.
The woman with the small child was throwing chunks of her hot dog bun into the water for the birds. I think she wanted to see an alligator bite a bird.The birds were the aggressors.They scrambled to get the bread.Saw so many birds standing on the alligators.
Vultures everywhere.
Birds everywhere.
Most of the birds are standing on the alligators.
Edie loved seeing pink flamingos again.Up close with a tarantula.The guy in the middle was sitting in front of us. The staff asked: “Who is from England?” This guy raised his hand. They asked, “What is mean and scary from England?” The fellow immediately yelled, “The women!”Burmese python named Cuddles.Petting zoo, mostly goats. Had a pungent odor of animals.Saltwater crocodile.
The aviary. Birds landing on people, on the floor, all over.
I thought this very interesting….
and beautiful.
Leucistic alligators, white.
A really pretty log bench.Edie spotted this beauty.
The wrestling area.Pretty woman waiting for the show.For 10 dollars you could have your picture taken sitting on the alligator and holding him, making sure the tape keeping his mouth shut is covered by your hands.I liked this bird as he side stepped along the railing.Side step, close, side step, close.Wandered by the show.Gave history of alligator wrestlers, getting the alligators out of the water holes so the cattle could drink safely. He cracked the bull whip and it sounded like a gun going off. He pointed out that the expression, “cracker” came as a reference to one who “cracked the whip.”Tricky.
Did it both ways so whole audience could see in it’s mouth.Held his jaw closed with just his chin.Held his head back demonstrating a second way to get it’s mouth open.A positional response. When on their back they lay motionless.He did not seem happy and then they roused him he made for the water mouth open.
On the walk we first saw emu’s.Saw Palmetto’s.
Pretty woman.Gators and birds, gators and birds.A zip line that was not in operation today.Lots of gators all over.Vultures.
The one operational zip line today.Cuban crocodiles.
This pit of alligators had lots of vultures. We walked around it.
When we got close, wow, they stunk. Smelled terrible, we turned away pretty quickly.Grumpy.Pretty woman.
They had a narrow gauge that ran around the place.Skunk eating owl.
Edie’s penchant.Surprised he was in the shade.
The founder.They had several snake exhibits and they were hard to see.Some were better.They had several parrots.
At the last show.Playing the part of country boys, Bubba and Cooter.If the alligator didn’t eat the meat, a vulture would come over and get it.Chicken portions.Jumping alligators.
Finally saw some fish.I think a stag horn fern.Turtles.
Interesting blue flowers.As we are exiting.I like this better now.
Gatorland was much more fun than I thought it would be. There was a zip line (extra charge), hundreds of alligators of all sizes and colors (even the white alligators), birds of all shapes and colors, snakes, turtles, a petting zoo with goats and other little creatures, and (my personal favorite) – a cat on a hot tin roof.
Bobcat on the roof.
I had a great time. I was expecting maybe a few alligators and that was it. No. Great place, fun people, and a nice walk through a marsh that felt like you were in the jungle. We didn’t have time to ride the train, but it looked like great fun too.
When we left Gatorland, we were going to go home and have our leftovers, but I talked Michael into going to Logan’s Roadhouse (again). It really didn’t take much to twist his arm. It’s really hard for us to drive by that place without turning in and getting one of their delicious (and cheap) dishes. Michael got the chicken breast dinner with salad and baked potato, and I got a plate of nachos, a margarita, and an apple cobbler with ice cream. I would not recommend the nachos (a little too spicy for me), but everything else was wonderful.
Like moths to a flame.We sat in the bar area.Edie had a blended margarita. I looked at beer and cursed gout.Hot rolls.I had a salad.The kitchen was very busy.Edie’s nachos, with toppings on the side. It was still too hot for her. She thinks the chili was the source.Baked potato and buttermilk battered chicken breast.Apple crisp with ice cream. Sweet Edie shared.
We are now back in our home for our last night here. Going to pack it up tonight and be out of here by 10:00 AM. That was our day. Hope yours was great!
