Re: [Paddlewise] Yum Yum Yellow

On Tue, 21 Sep 1999 08:52:59 EDT Outfit3029_at_aol.com writes:
	
	<<snip>>
	
>One of the most asked paddling 
>questions in 
>my little part of the world (NE Fl) is, "What about the gators?"  How 
>this 
>relates is this.  I have never personally been confronted by a gator 
>but have 
>heard stories of boats being "nuzzled" around by big boys.  


Alligators can be found in many places around Louisiana.  Paddling around
them has not been a problem for me ...so far !    I don't mind seeing one
at a distance while he "makes a wake" to where ever it is he is going. 
If the gator leaves me alone, I'll gladly reciprocate.   There have been
a few times when the gator seemed not to be doing anything but "eyeing me
and/or kayak" from a beam-on position in the water.  When that big head
and those eyes slowly sink, I will admit to a few anxious moments of 
thinking  "what's he up to now ?"   
I think I landed almost on top of a basking alligator a few years ago. 
The shore grass was high and thick.  As I "swissshed" aground a huge
commotion roiled the water and something not small made its get-away.  It
could have been a nutria but they usually are pretty wary.  
The only safety precaution I know of regarding gators and water is to not
have a dog along with you.  Urban legend ? ...unsure; scientific
principle ?  ...unknown;  good advice ?  ...you bet !  Thankfully,  wet
polyethylene doesn't smell like wet dog !   Hmmm ...now about these
paddling shoes !
...adieu   ...Peyton  (Louisiana)
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