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We've been offline in the Okeefenokee Swamp for the past few days but had an amazing time. I'll start getting the feed caught up... 🐊 On Tuesday, we rented a 12’ metal flat bottomed boat with a little 15 hp outboard engine from the “trading post.” Other than giving them our last name, there was no more formality, just a nod around the corner to where we could pick up life jackets, a seat cushion and paddles - you know, just in case. After proving my manhood by successfully pull-starting the tiny engine and barely letting on to how hard it is to steer an outboard boat in reverse in a tight marina (even for someone who regularly backs a trailer), we headed out the narrow, lily-pad lined channel. Almost immediately, we saw a ripple and a pair of round eyes leading to a knobby snout evaluate us and then descend beneath the water. Our first gator. Soon after, I steered the boat to the side to let a small fishing boat pass that was towing one of the rental boats - filled with an unhappy family of four - with a dead motor. Okay, this could get interesting. #okeefenokeeswamp #okeefenokeenationalwildliferefuge #childhoodunplugged #travelwithkids #familytravel
We've been offline in the Okeefenokee Swamp for the past few days but had an amazing time. I'll start getting the feed caught up... 🐊 On Tuesday, we rented a 12’ metal flat bottomed boat with a little 15 hp outboard engine from the “trading post.” Other than giving them our last name, there was no more formality, just a nod around the corner to where we could pick up life jackets, a seat cushion and paddles - you know, just in case. After proving my manhood by successfully pull-starting the tiny engine and barely letting on to how hard it is to steer an outboard boat in reverse in a tight marina (even for someone who regularly backs a trailer), we headed out the narrow, lily-pad lined channel. Almost immediately, we saw a ripple and a pair of round eyes leading to a knobby snout evaluate us and then descend beneath the water. Our first gator. Soon after, I steered the boat to the side to let a small fishing boat pass that was towing one of the rental boats - filled with an unhappy family of four - with a dead motor. Okay, this could get interesting. #okeefenokeeswamp #okeefenokeenationalwildliferefuge #childhoodunplugged #travelwithkids #familytravel
