February 7…. Lizards big and small

First, a big welcome to a new subscriber, Darian, a friend from Children’s. Hi Darian! 😁😁

Today we went to Gator Chateau in Jennings, Louisiana. Worth a stop if you happen to be passing by that way, but not so much if it takes you more than 15 minutes out of your way. On the face of it, they are an alligator education center, to spread knowledge about the American alligator (alligator mississippiensis if you want to get all technical about it). In the reality, it’s an alligator themed gift shop, and oh by the way, they have some alligators ranging from 1 ft long babies to 3 ft long 1-2 yr olds, to 4-6 foot adolescents.

The good part about our visit was that we got to hold a gator! I was going to hold one of the 6 ft lizards, but when it yawned at me I had second thoughts. So we each had a chance to hold and pet one of the medium size.

I had to go first just to show Susanne that I was not a scared little baby man-child.

Then it was her turn. She looked that lizard straight in its freaky vertical-pupiled eye, cradled it in her arms, and gave it a kiss! That gator showed no fear whatsoever!

Spent the rest of the afternoon glueing and nailing the camper back together, after a lot of the interior trim was shaken loose on our way here yesterday. Did I mention that the roads absolutely suck in this state? We cross into Texas after a short distance tomorrow. Here’s hoping the Texans know how to make and repair roads better than the Cajuns.