14 Comments
User's avatar
Bethany Bell's avatar

I must say one other thing, after re-watching the video in the post. Perhaps the coolest part, was not knowing what was just around the bend (I feel like the Disney movie princess Pocahontas saying that, but oh well) -- you didn't know if you were about to hit upon a gator, or a bird, or a man in overalls, up to his waste in water, illegally gator poaching. You just didn't know! What a thrill. Everyone go do it. Do it now, and come back to tell me all about it.

Expand full comment
Kara Wood's avatar

I did feel that the mic needed to be temporarily taken from you (for obvious reasons) but you’ve earned it back with your reading of this piece. I especially enjoyed the pronunciation of “no mo.”

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

Why, thank you for that! The closer I can get to speaking with Randy's charming drawl, the closer I am to be a fully self-actualized being.

Expand full comment
Jenny's avatar

So funny, but this is one thing I’ve never done and have always wanted to whilst living in Florida.

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

Legit I recommend 10/10

Expand full comment
Stephen D. Sowards's avatar

We were probably 2 ft from the gator and I was on the front right side. It was an experience, but I watch the gator closely. I would recommend an airboat trip . I would definitely do it again.

Expand full comment
Stephen D. Sowards's avatar

Alicia and I took an airboat several years ago down in the Everglades. The captain did the same thing by getting close to gators.He also surprised a bunch of Manatees that almost turned the boat over. It was a great ride . We really enjoyed the trip.

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

Wow, so cool you spotted manatees also. When the captain inched closer and closer to the gator, were you at all afraid it might be a feisty one that snapped at the boat? My spouse assured me this was ridiculous to consider but I know otherwise!!

In all seriousness, we loved it. The kids, my hubs (who has lived in Florida his whole life) and myself drank the whole experience in. Glad to get to see a little snippet of the Everglades and my oldest son is infatuated with our country's national parks -- he was "chomping" at the bit (see what I did there) to tell his teachers he visited one!

Expand full comment
Christina's avatar

I just LOLd 😂 I grew up down the road from Holiday Park and half the kids I grew up with had airboats. I always thought it was so strange when people from out of town wanted to go pay money to ride one! I love telling my kids how often people had alligators in their pools after big storms.

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

I just googled the location of Holiday Park -- we were so close to your old stomping grounds. Do the kids believe you?

Expand full comment
Sara H's avatar

I literally live 10 mins away from an everglades Swamp tour and I've never been tempted to check it out. I rather wait to see an alligator in a gated community body of water like a normal Floridian hahaha

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

Hah! It does feel like the right of a local -- we've got them in our backyard!

Expand full comment
Ororo Munroe's avatar

This looks like fun, but since I this motion sickness issue, there's no way. Just my luck, I'd bend over the side to hurl and end up getting taken out by a gator. LOL

Expand full comment
Bethany Bell's avatar

I am glad you know yourself well enough to avoid it!! It is quite skippy and twisty 🤢 and yes, gators can be anywhere 😆

Let me tell you some gator math I heard on the tour, because I don’t think you are taking one any time soon. Every inch from their nostrils to the eyes represents a foot of their body. You’re welcome 😄

Expand full comment