Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 3

We checked out of the hotel this morning and headed for Croc Encounters in Tampa.  First, however another in the "aren't you glad they don't have one closer" category.  Beignets and Brew.  We got the box of 72 minis.  It pains me to say these are better than mine.  We would eat a box of these every week if they had one at home.

Croc Encounters is a small rescue facility.  They take in a ton of "nuisance gators" aka ones found in swimming pools and residential areas.  They also have pets that have been surrendered or seized.  Although their really cool blue-and-yellow macaw did not drop the F-bomb he is know for, he did say hello, which was fun.  Sam's favorite animal today was the monitor lizard.  Auggie's favorite animal was the Nile crocodile, presumably because it's as difficult to get along with as he is.  Seriously, this was a tough day for him and we were very appreciative of the patience of our guide and the other people on the tour.

Sam says today was the best day so far, largely because our guide, Kayla, was so funny and knew stuff.  Okefenokee was second best because we saw so many gators and they weren't in enclosures.  Gatorland was great but third.

This vacation is exceeding his expectations (he told me so) and he's thanked me twice, so it's exceeding mine too.

Half Meltdown Counter:

Sam: 3

Auggie: 6

MarMar: 3

Lyle: 0

Meltdown Counter:

Auggie: 2

Sam: 0

MarMar: 1

Lyle: 0

Bags of ice purchased so far:  4

Apps purchased in defeat:  1

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 2 - Part 3

Whoever planned this trip (spoiler alert:  it was me) deserves a lot of credit for picking a hotel with a great pool and recognizing that significant pool time would be key to the overall success of the venture. 

We came back from Gatorland fried; changed into swimsuits and went straight to the pool and things were soooooo much better.  We got out an hour or so later when the thunderstorms blew through.

My godson surprised me by meeting us for dinner.  I didn't think we had time to make that happen on this trip and him being willing to ride his motorcycle (yes, he's cool, I mean, obviously) an hour each way just to hang out with us for a little while made me feel like an absolute rockstar.  Love you, Isaac! 

Back in the pool after dinner.

Tomorrow we head to Tampa!

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 2 - Gatorland

Okay, let me just say this.  If you have a crocodilian obsessed kid, you owe it to them and yourself to take them to Gatorland.  I don't care how kitschy and "Old Florida" you've heard this place is, we had a blast.

Feeding gators, watching the jumparoo, holding a gator.  This was a big day for our guys.

Hotel pool after Gatorland was a lifesaver.

I've decided to start counting half meltdowns, because I feel like our halves are the worst part of other people's week.

The number of people who stopped me to tell me some version of how dangerous it was to let Auggie mess with turkey vulture feathers was... something.  I don't know, I mean I appreciate people trying to look out for each other.  But one, check your facts.  Two, we're literally waiting in line to go into the alligator enclosure, but you're worried about the feathers?  Okay.  Three, let me show you what's going to happen if I draw a hard line about this... your neurological kids are not my kids.    In other news, if upcoming reports feature zoonotic diseases or bird lice, well, maybe I'll rethink my position on this topic.

Enjoy this photodump.

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 2

We all got some much needed sleep (and everyone brushed their teeth!).  Today's focus is Gatorland.  Still significant room for improvement on feeding people.

Happy Father's Day to Lyle!  I can't imagine that anyone else would be willing to do this with me!

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 1 Part 3

Three hours and change later, we made it to the hotel and a very few minutes after checking in, we made it to the pool.

We need to work harder at feeding people, although they, this is not a roadtrip specific failing.  Other than that, things are good and we're off to Gatorland tomorrow! 

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 1 Part 2

A couple hours in the car with delicious pastries, and we arrived at Okefenokee.  We had time for sunscreen and potty breaks and to wander around a little before our 12 o'clock boat tour.  Sam and Lyle actually saw an alligator before we even got on the boat.

Super fun trip first half of the trip!   We saw lots (and lots and lots) of gators, hard shell and soft steel turtles, a barred owl family, and a bunch of other birds, frogs, and lizards.  The second half of the trip was managing a meltdown in front of the rest of the passengers, but no one wound up in the water, so we're counting it a success.

Now headed to Orlando and a hotel with a nice pool!

Auggie Meltdown Counter:  1

Sammy Meltdown Counter: .5

MarMar Meltdown Counter: 1

Lyle Meltdown Counter: 0

Epic Crocodilian Road Trip Day 1

We got up just before 8 and rolled out.

First stop:  Auspicious Baking Company.  I may or may not have planned this entire trip as an excuse to stop here.  It was as excellent as anticipated, but I am glad we don't have one close or I would be there entirely too often.  Sam threw shade at Auggie for ordering a $15 slice of chocolate cake for breakfast.  Auggie was unrepentant.  I would report on the cake, but he is refusing to share.

Left ABC to head toward our first crocodilian stop, the Okefenokee swamp.  I have clear memories of this stop on our Florida Road trip in 1987, mostly of my dad picking up Andrew and throwing him into the van because he was about 6 feet from a big gator.  I'm hopeful today will be memorable for less dramatic reasons.

Saw wild hogs on the side of 95.  What?

Fun and gross fact for those of you here for the schadenfreud:  we're all wearing yesterday's clothes and none of us brushed our teeth.