I've paddled in the south since a young man, including many places with gators. I mostly enjoy it. But I've found them more aggressive than black bears.
I now paddle with my kids, and I'm reluctant to take them places with lots of gators. So far we've stuck to places like the Great Dismal Swamp where there are few, if any, gators.
I've had some encounters as a young man I don't think I'd want to repeat with my children. I had a mama gator run me out of a creek in the Santee delta of South Carolina. I encountered another gator in Wambaw Creek who was honestly bigger than my 14 ft canoe and positioned himself for an ambush.
But I would like to show them places like Three Sisters Swamp, Winyah Bay, the Congaree River and Sparkleberry, and even the Santee delta.
Any thoughts? Can anyone convince me I'm paranoid? Or am I doing the right thing staying away from places with lots of gators.
I now paddle with my kids, and I'm reluctant to take them places with lots of gators. So far we've stuck to places like the Great Dismal Swamp where there are few, if any, gators.
I've had some encounters as a young man I don't think I'd want to repeat with my children. I had a mama gator run me out of a creek in the Santee delta of South Carolina. I encountered another gator in Wambaw Creek who was honestly bigger than my 14 ft canoe and positioned himself for an ambush.
But I would like to show them places like Three Sisters Swamp, Winyah Bay, the Congaree River and Sparkleberry, and even the Santee delta.
Any thoughts? Can anyone convince me I'm paranoid? Or am I doing the right thing staying away from places with lots of gators.
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