Gator Bait- Adventures at Gatorland

Life Travel

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Almost didn’t make it through the day, the giant gator at Gatorland almost got me.  Luckily, I was able to crawl out of the mouth and make it to safety.
IMG_5298I ran until I reached the Screamin’ Gator Zipline.  I was suited up in my harness and helmet and made my way to the first platform.  I walked up at least 100 steps and found myself at the platforms edge.  My only option was to zip across.
1973506_10152277742281117_5886637892427178615_o 1502350_10152277741541117_6098840727959411489_o 1939881_10152277742511117_966848474545812934_oI took the first plunge and by the time I made it to the second platform, I was ready for more.  I zipped from platform to platform until I reached the 500 ft zip.  I looked down and saw gators and crocs swimming below, luckily I was going pretty fast.  Even with the gators below, the experience was still peaceful and adrenaline pumping all at the same time. 
It wasn’t until I got down from the zipline that I was truly afraid.  Our guide for the day took us in to meet Chester, the massive gator measuring at just under 14 feet, ahhh!!  He hissed and growled as we walked closer.  I would have turned around and ran for the door, but I was truly amazed by his size.
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This just warmed me up for my gator wrestling experience, I’m getting good at this.  The gator I wrestled was about half the size of Chester, so it was no big deal.
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Gatorland is home to a variety of animals from snakes to birds to turtles, spiders and Florida panthers.  I was brave enough to wrestle gators, but when it came to the snakes, not so much.  I’m obviously a little crazy, I won’t go near birds, but put me in an enclosed area just a few feet from a gator and I’m great!
IMG_5307 20140331_113539_LLSI always have the most amazing time when I visit Gatorland.  I can’t wait to go back!
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Who’s ready to go swimming?
 

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2 Comments

  • Reply
    Beeb Ashcroft (@hardertobreathe)
    April 10, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Isn’t it funny looking at the pictures of Chester and thinking, “I was standing just a few feet in front of him”?

    • Reply
      Rochelle Siegel
      April 10, 2014 at 6:53 am

      It’s crazy!! I feel like that especially when I watch the videos. One scary gator.

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