Just about 20 minutes outside of New Orleans is the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve. We first discovered this place while searching online for different places to see while in New Orleans.
A gentleman had posted a large number of pictures that were taken in the early morning or early evening – ones filled with mist and spooky looking trees – a boardwalk stretching off into the distance.
We finally tracked it down to the Jean Lafitte Park and made it one of the things we wanted to see on this trip.
The boardwalk does stretch through the cypress trees and palmetto plants and it’s very eerie and quiet. 
I strolled along this boardwalk quite at my ease chattering away to The Man about how they wouldn’t build a boardwalk through the swamp if it was dangerous. It’s a well-known fact that alligators can jump up half the length of their body – did you know that? So – I chattered to The Man – they definitely wouldn’t build something like this if there was a chance of getting chomped at all – would they?
And then I rounded the corner and let out – well – I won’t print it here – but it included a lot of these in it @#^%@@!!!!
He looked at us with those huge prehistoric eyes as I inched past him and let out a pent-up sigh – but I kept my eye on him as we kept going in case he was thinking of following us……you know how they do that….
Much to my surprise as we walked further along – without our scaly friend – we came to this - 
Which just happened to be the end of the boardwalk in that direction.
And yes – you’ve got it – he was still waiting for us upon our return.
Personally? I think he was laughing at us!
16 comments:
how cool, but i would have been a little weary of the crock too
I think it was more like a sneer!
I wouldn't have liked being so close!
Lovely photos. Maggie X
Nuts in May
I believe you got a little more up-close-and-personal than I would have, but I'm glad you did, Aims. I enjoyed these great pictures!
Great pictures! They remind me of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary that we visited several years ago.
FlowerLady
I saw crocodiles up close in South Africa. I was very happy that there was a barrier between us. Mean looking alligator!
I would have TOTALLY freaked out!!! And gone running in the other direction!!! You did get some good shots though! And he does kind of look like he was laughing...
Although I can look at these creatures without too much trepidation, I think I'd be like you - wondering if this little boardwalk was safe! Glad you made it out alive! lol
Aren't they the most cold-looking, unfeeling-looking totally terrifying-looking creatures? ~shiver~
I knew when you first said you came upon it, that you were going to have to go back by it to get out. I would have been horrified. But it did make me smile. Thanks.
What an amazing experience! Seriously scarey though as it was just you there and no one with a tranquilizer gun if the gator got too friendly.
What a wonderful place, I am putting it on my list for the next trip down...
OMG that's scary! :0
OMG, I would have been squealing in terror by that point. I would have probably dialed for the emergency services to come and pick me up by helicopter! You are obviously made of stronger stuff.
Great photos but you were far closer than I would ever be.
........:-) Hugs
It looks just like the cat walk at Highlands Hammock, our local state park here in Sebring. Gators and all. We swim in our lake all the time and there are gators in there from time to time. But I grew up swimming in the large lake in town, Lake Jackson. There are and have always been tons of gators in all our lakes, just the way it is. I'm more afraid to swim in the ocean.
Looks like you had a wonderful time anyway! thanks for sharing the pictures, I feel at home.
Gators - Aaaargh (Polergirl runs as fast as she can in the opposite direction!)
You are brave Aims! Don't the gators ever climb up onto the boardwalk and, like, eat the tourists???
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