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Old 07-20-2009, 06:21 AM
 
Location: Punta Gorda and Maryland
6,103 posts, read 15,054,358 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keithhtt View Post
Hi Big House I am in Mi hoping to come down in 1-6 years depending on a possible early retire. About the canal trip, any concerns about gators or snakes that fall from the trees? That's the first thing my daughter will ask!
No. Actually, this was one of my first trips, and I had a guide. I didn't see any alligators or snakes. I scoured the banks looking for them as well. I didn't see one. Although my guide said they are all around us looking at us as we go by. I am very good at spotting wildlife since i grew up in rural areas most of my life.

Now, it is hot summer, and they are all laying as still as possible because of the heat. He did say that if you go to other areas where he also guides then you will definitely see them in abundance (alligators). I spotted a lot of interesting things, pond apples, squirrels, all kinds of birds, bugs, fish, and heard some wild pigs (didn't see them though), but no alligators. He said that on all the trips he's been on and he guides a few times a week, that when he's seen them even during the active season (such as when they are mating), they will avoid you if there is a way for them to get away.

If you go there, I would definitely recommend a guide, because you could easily wander off, and it could take a long time to get back. I was watching the tide to see which way it was heading when I started out, thinking that all I'd have to do was go opposite the incoming/outgoing current. Well, there I'd have been wrong. Eventually, you'd find your way out, but you could be several miles away from where you started. We kayaked slowly, taking in all the sites, for 3 plus hours, and went probably 10 miles. It was really an enjoyable trip.

I have kayaks now, but rented his because it was easier, and it was only a few dollars. I highly recommend that people take a little time out of their schedule when they come down and enjoy that. Our guide was great, and let us meander at our own pace. Our younger daughter was with us and she likes to go slowly observing everything. If my older daughter came, we'd have been on a faster pace marathon trip, but it would not have lasted as long. I recommend if you have a guide, let him do his job, go slowly, take your time, enjoy nature, and let him tell you about everything you're seeing.

This was a little off the original topic, so I am going to move it to a new thread. Maybe someone will be interested in talking about their adventures too.
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