Wanderlust "On Location": Okefenokee Swamp, GA

If there is one creature the south is most known for, I would have to say it is the American Alligator. This is also the animal I was most hoping to see in the wild. Even though these animals peak thoughts of ferocious predators, and they are if they feel threatened, I was hoping to see one. Some might say I am crazy, but as it is with most wild animals, if you show a healthy respect for what they are capable of and leave them alone, you will probably be alright.

This is the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Georgia. Don't be fooled by its glassy reflective surface, what lurks beneath the waves is an alligator haven like no other. The Okefenokee Swamp Wildlife Refuge spans over 350,000 acres. They offer a day trips. They also have a multi-day Kayaking Adventure package, that will have you feeling like you are in your own version of Jurassic Park.

But for our purposes and my healthy concern for my own safety, we opted for the boat guided tour. It was a really calming and peaceful ride through the swamp. Our guide was well-informed about the species of flora and fauna in the area and shared several interesting facts about the local wildlife.

The 90-minute tour was very enjoyable. It wasn't solidly spent on the boat. There were some opportunities to get off the boat and explore the winding boardwalk pathways for an up close and personal experience with nature.

It was along this path, that I had an up-close and personal animal encounter, I would rather NOT have had. Right in front of us, I could have reached out and touched it, was a snake, that was coiled up enjoying the rays...... YIKES!!!

Thankfully, it decided that it didn't much care for our company either and slipped off the branch down into the murky depths below. Out of sight, out of mind.....right?

We were privileged later to finally experience the find, I was hoping to see on the tour, an alligator in the wild. We were told it was mating season and this particular female was one of the more aggressive of the native animals. But that didn't stop me from trying my best to catch a good shot.... She's in there, can you spot her?

Well, in case you cannot spot her. She looks something like this.

The boat tour was the most memorable of the experiences offered at the Okefenokee Swamp Park. But they also offer a train tour, with a stop at the little historical homestead of one woman. Lydia Stone Crews aka "Queen of the Okefenokee" stood 6 ft, 6in tall and weight 200lbs. She imbued the image of a pioneer Amazon woman. Her story is one worth learning about, full of adventures sprinkled with scandal. 

Another attraction offered at the Okefenokee Swamp park is a hands-on animal encounter that is geared toward children and teaches them about some of the well-known reptiles in the Park. While there, we had an opportunity to have a sensory experience with a few of the area reptiles.

The Okefenokee Swamp Park is a small attraction, packed with great experiences. This is a perfect place to take the family for a day of adventure. 

I would also describe the Okefenokee Swamp as a beautiful place. I hope you will visit should you be in the area.