We got breakfast at the hotel again. Even Sam ate. It helped that Bluey was playing in the lobby.
Short 15 minute drive to the Everglades Alligator Farm (it's almost like someone planned this). We got there just in time for our private airboat ride. After the Okefenokee debacle, I've had concerns about this, but actually, zero issues. Auggie even climbed up and drove for a minute! I asked him if he wanted a pair of headphones he could wear whenever he wanted, but he said no. Highlight of this trip for the boys was the wild iguanas, but highlight for me, by far, was seeing the nesting gator on her nest. Super cool. Lyle has declared the airboat ride as his favorite activity because, wait for it, of the 454 Chevy engine. You can take the boy out of the garage, but...
In addition to the invasive iguanas the boys were so excited about, we also saw an invasive tegu.
After the airboat ride, we got caught in a famous Florida thunderstorm and DRENCHED while waiting for our alligator encounter. Auggie decided he was desperate to pet a capybara and the guide there was super awesome and made that happen for him.
The thunderstorms finally gave us enough of a break for our alligator encounter. I was worried this was going to be a disappointment because we'd already done so much of this type of thing. I needn't have worried. We got to hold both the smallest and the largest gators we've been up close with. It was lots of fun and worth getting soaked for. (Yes, I had a poncho too, but I was already saturated at this point and decided I wasn't getting any wetter.)
The coolest part of the encounter though was that a mama gator had made her nest up against the glass in the behind the scenes area. We got to see an egg, and we got to hear gator vocalizations as she hissed at us. Even the guide jumped when she lunged at us! I have video and will try to upload that later.
Also, apropos of nothing really, please enjoy this Sinclair [sic] family photo.
After the alligators (and dry clothes) we drove back into the National Park to Flamingo on a hunt for wild crocodiles. Crocodiles live in brackish or saltwater environments and are only found in south Florida in the US. We'd been told they might be on the boat ramps or around the marina, but we didn't see any. The boys were done. So done. The mosquitos were bad again, and despite my commentary from yesterday, both kids look like they have chicken pox on their faces from all the bites. Again, these aren't the big puffy welts I'm used to, and they're not crazy itchy, but still... so a reasonable parent might have called it a day. This is me we're talking about though. Lyle started the car and cranked the AC. They had sugary snacks and drinks. I walked over to the visitor center and asked for advice. We took the boat tour over the boys' strenuous objections and a half meltdown from Augs. We saw four crocs! Scavenger hunt, complete! Totally worth it. (The boys do not agree, but they're wrong.) We saw dolphins, but we're jaded on dolphins and weren't impressed. I've mostly gotten the planning right on this trip (St. Petersburg debacle notwithstanding), but I didn't have the boat trip on my agenda and I am so, so glad we did it. Auggie napped, which was fine. Sam actually spotted the first croc. Have I mentioned he is weirdly good at crocodilian spotting and that I am weirdly bad at it? He thinks it is absolutely hilarious that I will point at something that is invariably a rock, a log, or floating debris.
Mission accomplished, we made it back to the van just in time to get to Robert Is Here for celebration milkshakes that my best friend Chad (aka ChatGPT) recommended. Delicious and perfectly timed. Lyle and I had Key Lime, Auggie had dragonfruit (aka PINK!), and Sam had vanilla (because of course). And thus ended the crocodilian part of this adventure, with the desired bang, and a few whimpers.
We've had a really good time, all things considered, learned a lot, seen everything we set out to see, and survived the meltdowns! I would do any part of this trip again, and I do not in any way regret the crazy roadtrip, but once has been enough and if we do decide to revisit particular destinations, I think we'd fly.
As we've learned on the trip, the easiest way to differentiate alligators and crocodiles is to wave at them. You can tell this one is a gator because it's clearly saying, "See you later!"
Tomorrow, one last day at their favorite pool and then we start back north.
No comments:
Post a Comment