I was honestly hesitant at the idea of seeing slithering alligators in the wild. I imagined the airboat ride would possibly be rough. ‘But, what the heck, we only live once.’ I gave myself a pep talk. ‘We would be safe in the boat and I had on my rain slicker, so I’d stay warm and dry.’ I took a deep breath.

Captain Brad’s grandfather, Vco, started the Bayou Swamp Tour business in 1870. His father, Ludwig, continued giving tours. Their business rents the land from a well to do family who receives payments from oil companies as well. The Peret family (I am not sure of the exact spelling) bought the land in 1823 for $20.00 an acre.

The group seated behind us were parents and their two grown children along with the spouses. Each couple traveled from all over the country to New Orleans to vacation together. I found that charming! We ran into them at a restaurant and again on a steamboat dinner later in the week. The matriarch stated, “We won’t need to have pictures of our vacation, we’ll just follow your blog!”

Captain Brad spotted this ‘gator’ from a distance. I only spied it when it started moving toward our boat. This stealthful creature made me uneasy as it slithered toward us.

I quickly realized that these swamp boats, to alligators, were akin to kids running to an ice cream truck. Marshmallows were a favorite snack! Suddenly this creature appeared innocent to me. He reminded me of my playful, fun-loving second graders. The alligator was simply after a treat!

I shuffled out of my rain slicker and shoved it under the seat. It was a beautiful day and I was now determined to enjoy each moment.

As Captain Brad made his way to the front of the airboat, he shared that alligators grow one foot each year until they are eight years old, then they grow a half inch annually after that.

I was smitten. I never expected to find a gator “enchanting,” but I did. I was surprised to find this animal so pleasant. My heart had softened as this animal appeared docile and child-like. As he slid alongside the boat I reached out to touch him.

He accepted my gentle tap and moved on looking for more marshmallows.

It was charismatic to connect with a creature which I had feared not so long ago. It’s a moment I’ll cherish. I don’t need strong opinions and fears. I just need to dive into every episode of life and soak it in through my senses.

Cypress trees are part of the redwood family. Their wood lasts longer than other hardwoods making it well sought after. However, cypress trees take longer to grow than other timber.

Bald eagles mate for life. The pair we saw had two eggs last year. There was a tiny camera placed in their five foot, cypress tree nest. Many people across the country enjoyed watching this ‘eagle watch’ on the web.

Spanish moss is an epiphyte, which grows on other plants. It is self sustaining using nutrients and water in the air. Spanish moss has been used for pillows, mattresses and the seats in Henry Ford’s first cars.

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” is a saying derived from the use of this moss in bedding. It would often contain lice and chiggers.

Marshes are floating masses, where swamps are on stationary land.

Captain Brad was well versed in the facts of the area. In the 1800’s the water hyacinth Chinese plant was introduced into the marshland. The purple flowered plant grew quickly, overtaking some of the natural plants. So, nutria, a rat-like beaver, was brought in to eat the water hyacinth.

However, the nutria preferred the native foliage. So a new hunting policy was enacted. $7.00 per nutria tail was distributed to hunters who turned in their catch. Nutria became another food source for residents.

With the marsh disappearing at 25 acres each year. Captain Brad is enthusiastically working to preserve this habitat. Ted Nugent, a rock and roll legend, lends his financial support as well.

As we approached this alligator it looked too big to be true. I recalled Captain Brad telling us an alligator grows one foot each year until it’s eight years old, then it only grows a half inch each following year. This must be a model, I decided.

My chest squeezed tightly as this reptile hissed at us. Captain Bob casually stated the gator’s facts. He is 12 years old and about 850 pounds. Meeting this monster-sized gator in the wild met my original expectations about this venture. ‘We’re safe in the boat’ I reminded myself. That grumpy gator resumed his relaxation in the sun as soon as we drove away.

Usually one locates a wise sage on the top of a mountain sharing his wisdom. Captain Brad dolled out knowledge from his seat on the airboat.

Captain Brad is one of five people in the state of Louisiana who is licensed to harvest alligator eggs. Most clutches average thirty-five eggs. It takes sixty-five to seventy days gestation until the nine inch long hatchlings emerge.

Did you know that the temperature of the nest determines if the babies will be male or female? Higher temperatures (93.2 degrees or more) produce males while cooler readings (86 degrees or less) create female alligators.

As a single father of four Captain Brad knows what it means to struggle. He hunts these waters for wild boar, gaters and nutria. He is able to fish for tuna and swordfish within 30 minutes from his home. He donates food to several community facilities following FDA guidelines. He’s an admirable man!

The Alluvial City is located along the delta of the Mississippi River. Due to drastic flooding, homes are built on stilts. This was unlike any homes I’ve ever seen. This soggy land is filled with hardworking, selfless people. Many are fishermen and women. They really look out for each other.

As we drove through Alluvial City we were in awe of the homes and buildings placed so high off the ground.

Seeing the bayou, meeting the people and connecting with some animals has given me an appreciative perspective. Our world needs to be cherished for it’s uniquely different habitats. Take time to look behind the curtain. Search for connection. Above all, enjoy!

Resources:
www.bayouswamptours.com (504) 321-3617