Gator Country

 Since moving to Texas I have become an alligator fan. I love the show Swamp People, which follows alligator hunters from Louisiana and Texas during alligator hunting season. I find it fascinating! And since we live in an area that has wild alligators, we have an alligator park in our town. I don't know why I waited this long to make it there, but it was worth it!

 You can buy bags of alligator feed to throw to them. It was great! It made it so all the alligators swarmed right by you when you came over. Abby was reluctant to share the alligator food at first--it looked and smelled a lot like dog food. First thing she tried to do was eat the piece I gave her! So typically Abby....my girl who still sneaks dog food from Chance. Once I convinced her to give the gross food to the alligators, she loved it!

 While we were there they were having a gator wrestling tournament! It was amazing fun! They had different divisions for all ages 4 and up. This little boy was in the 4 year old division and i was amazed at him! He dug around in the water looking for a gator and hauled them up to the shore like it was the most normal thing in the world! I would have loved to have the girls do it, but my girls were way too chicken! I wanted to get in on the action! They had divisions for older people too where you had to swim around after bigger gators in a pool. The best part might have been the people in the crowd, it was just like a sporting event but with gator related words "Get that big boy!" "Grab his tail" "Don't let go no!" "Put your weight on him!" "Tape him! Tape him!" (the gators mouths were all already taped closed, but the older kids had to pretend they weren't and retape them once they caught them.) Oh I just loved it! Only in gator country....

 Abby was NOT a fan of sitting on the fake alligator for a photo op. And Kate found these chickens running around (probably fresh gator feed...) and loved them, but covered her ears in case they made noise. So funny.

 This pit was full of big gators that were all about getting food! Abby really loved this spot. So did Kate, but she was excited the whole time.

 Inside they had other reptiles/turtles in cages. And some of the workers would pull the animals out for you to touch. Kate was only brave enough to touch this snake because as she told the lady "this is a pretty snake." The rest of the animals she would get close to and look at--and at best touch them with her t-shirt covering her hand. Such a girly girl! On the flip side, Abby touched most everything, but was afraid of the green snake Kate liked. Funny their different personalities.

 The baby alligators were SOOOO cute! And I mean it was like seeing a puppy and wanting to take it home with you! So cute! But once again Kate refused to hold it or pet it. Silly girl missing out. I'm thinking I will have to take her back again sometime and see if she is more brave the second time around.

 A littler bigger alligator. Still super cute, but you could tell it was already not a baby, it had more power to it! I had a blast getting up close and personal with these guys!

Oh, and this cute gecko was to die for! He was the softest little guy I have ever felt! And he was just so cute! Kate was scared of him, and Abby was when he jumped onto my shirt. They didn't care I thought it was cute and funny, they just stared at it like they didn't know what to expect. Kate finally touched it with her shirt. Silly goose! But despite being sorta chicken, Kate asked us over and over again when we can go back. Although her favorite part might have been the owner's Great Dane on our way out. Not that I blame her, he was a beautiful dog!