Gotta Get My Hands on a Gator!

A few weeks ago I spent six days in New Orleans.  I’d never been and even though I was there for work, I hopped at the opportunity to explore a little when I could.

Basically I had one goal: to pat an alligator. 

No, I’m not kidding.  This was on the top of my To Do List, pat an alligator.  So, my obliging friends headed out with me to Slidell early one morning in search of alligators.

Willis,  his lovely bride C and T.O.

We found them.  Found them on a two hour swamp tour.  Oh my cries, I was so excited to see that first gator gliding towards our boat!  I sat right next to the Captain (of course I did) and got a front row seat for the Alligator Show.  He’d throw a marshmallow to get the gator’s attention, it makes a resounding popping noise when it hits the water, and next thing you know, here comes a gator, silently slurping down a marshmallow.  It. Was. So. Exciting!

Marshmallows were followed up with hot dogs on a stick.  I could have reach out and touched the alligators, they were that close.  I could barely contain myself and leaned over as far as I dared.  Several times my face was about a foot away from the gator.  T.O. asked me, “TPG, why are you talking to it like it’s a puppy?”  Alligators like baby talk, fact.  Hey, I didn’t get eaten, did I?

The entire tour was quite fascinating and I learned a lot about swamp life.  Beautiful and peaceful, I could have stayed on that boat all day.  And as much as I wanted to pat one of those giant alligators on the head, I refrained.  But. But, the captain pulled out a cooler and asked if anyone wanted beer.  Then he lifted the lid and pulled out the most precious little baby alligator you’ve ever seen!  My eyes lit up – I was going to get to touch an alligator! 

T.O., made a face and shook her head, giving up her turn.  She wasn’t interested in alligator cuddles, not one bit!

But I was.  Oh, he was so teeny and so sweet looking.  His little belly was soft and his feet were like velvet.  Like a human baby, when I offered him my finger, he gently closed his little alligator claw around it.  I was in heaven. 

We did some other touristy things, but the alligators were def the highlight of my trip!

We ended up in Mississippi too.  It's always an adventure with this group!  And yes, I was the only one on the swamp tour in a dress. Don't hate.

If you could pat any wild animal, what would you pat?  Polar bear is next on my list!  Don’t laugh, this is totally happening.