[Paddlewise] [Fwd: Kayaks on the Bayou?]

attached mail follows:

Hank Hays wrote:

> At 08:16 AM 2/6/98 -0600, Randall Dickerson wrote:
> >
> >Keith Kaste wrote:
> ><snip>
> >
> >> .......we'd like to know if paddling in the swamps is a good idea, or if
> >> we're
> >> likely to get eaten by whatever's out there.
> >
> >BTW, you're not afraid of snakes swimming alongside your
> >boat, are you?
>
> Or hanging in trees over your boat as you paddle underneath? <grin>  Used
> to happen to me, cottonmouths in Southern Illinois when paddling there long
> ago.  Can't imagine that it doesn't happen in *real* swamps!
>

***Many*** years ago we had a chance to tour a small part of the Okeefenookee
<sp?> Swamp (the land of "Pogo" for any of you real old-timers). Stopped to
inspect a flowering vine climbing a tree and discovered (almost stepped on!)  a
6 ft. rattler.  We respectfully gave him his tree back and backed away quickly,
with no incident.

My Dad used to own a beachside cabin west of Gulf Shores (toward Ft. Morgan)
that had a huge 'canal' leading to marshland behind us. We "kept" a 7 ft.
'gator there and called her our pet. Would feed her every morning with fish
caught in the surf. Could stand 6-8 ft away and watch her dine. Never hissed at
us, never lunged.   But just let a small dog wander down to the
water.........................  8-O


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