The Swamp Tour !

And the great gator capture!

It was late on Sunday afternoon, 5.30 in fact, and in walks Russ with this great idea to go on one of his "Swamp Tours". Not a bad idea - except its very late in the day, and the swamp tour is over the State line in Louisiana. But, what an adventure and off we go with Gatoraide, a camera and an open mind about just how big these gators are in this swamp just off of 90.

It was a fabulous adventure - fantastic weather, cool breeze, peace and quiet and great company. The water is about three foot lower than normal right now - normal for the summer. Makes navigating the swamp trail in the canoe a little rough in spots - but thats part of the adventure. The swamp weed was thick and at times all you could see was a sea of green and no open water at all. The Cypress trees are gorgous in their natural setting. One of the trees we came across is said to be the largest and the oldest in this here part of the swamp - over 400 years old. Gorgous old magnificent tree standing proud there on the turn in the path thru the swamp.I was a little surprised as to how little debris I saw along the way from Katrina. Yes, of course, there was some - an overturned trailer that had floated in with the storm, picnic tables, a little plastic here and there but remarkable, actually, how pristine this area was considering the devastation of the housing in the area up on 90.

And I can tell you I captured a gator all by myself. It was a sprited fight with the paddle to negotiate the weeds the pull her into the boat. Captured a couple of her babies too. Yes, a great hunting trip.

This "Swamp Tour" is run by one of our clients who lost his house in the storm. We are going to be offering this tour to our volunteers and this is how we are going to help raise funds to replace the home belonging to this client. He had 24 boats prior to the storm, he now has four left. The dock is insitu, the area pristine, the tour a wonderful adventure.