The "Trained Gator Show" Story
It was an ordinary day. We had just left ourmotel on Sanibel Island and were heading to the Everglades. Down to Alligator Alley. We wanted to take a ride in one of those swamp boats with the big propeller in the back. Hope to see a few alligators as we tour the everglades. We have no idea what we are in for on this trip. We had found a coupon in a tourist publication for Al's Swamp Boat Rides and the directions took usright to the place. Very rustic right in the middle of the swamps. Like the movie Deliverance, only with marshes instead of hills. Pretty creepy, really. Didn't hear any banjos playing. "We're going to fly across the water on this aluminum plate which has a big airplane propeller attached to a huge motor. And.....there are alligators waiting just for us," the guide tells us. We sit in the front on a wooden bench and the guide sits above us in a nice padded chair. He starts the engine and attempts to tell us a little bit more about what we are about to see. I guess he was talking to us, but it was sooooo loud that none of the passengers heard much of what he said. Off we go into the wild blue yonder. I can see that he is following a path through the reeds which he probably follows on every trip he takes. Then, all of a su
dden, he quickly stops. He points to the water and tells us he sees agator and believes he is coming towards our swamp boat. Just then, this reptile comes flying out of the water next to us with his mouth open. Holy s*#t!! I thought he was heading in the boat. The guide leaned over the side and threw some chicken parts to him. Seemed to satisfy him as he lowered himself down into the water, out of sight. Round the next couple of bends and again, here comes another one.
Same thing. Pops out of the water and scares the crap out of you. I can see the guide laughing as he takes his foot and pushes him back in the water. Again, he throws some chicken parts into the mouth of the reptile. Now, I get the idea. These are trained reptiles that are taught to scare you when they hear the motor of the swamp boat. And you know what? It really worked!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
It was an ordinary day. We had just left ourmotel on Sanibel Island and were heading to the Everglades. Down to Alligator Alley. We wanted to take a ride in one of those swamp boats with the big propeller in the back. Hope to see a few alligators as we tour the everglades. We have no idea what we are in for on this trip. We had found a coupon in a tourist publication for Al's Swamp Boat Rides and the directions took usright to the place. Very rustic right in the middle of the swamps. Like the movie Deliverance, only with marshes instead of hills. Pretty creepy, really. Didn't hear any banjos playing. "We're going to fly across the water on this aluminum plate which has a big airplane propeller attached to a huge motor. And.....there are alligators waiting just for us," the guide tells us. We sit in the front on a wooden bench and the guide sits above us in a nice padded chair. He starts the engine and attempts to tell us a little bit more about what we are about to see. I guess he was talking to us, but it was sooooo loud that none of the passengers heard much of what he said. Off we go into the wild blue yonder. I can see that he is following a path through the reeds which he probably follows on every trip he takes. Then, all of a su
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