A Ride Down The Okefenokee Swamp

Moving through the swamp

As nine of us sat in a metal motorboat that moved steadily through the green swampy water, we listened to a young tour guide talk about the beauty of the Okefenokee Swamp, while she steered our boat through the water. She talked about swimming with the alligators like it was a stroll in the park.



Keep a safe distance from me!

Beautiful birds playing in the water

The ride was uneventful but my eyes were always watching for the dreaded alligator and there were quite a few along the way. Some had just their eyes above the water and sometimes you could see a thin ridge of their back and tail just above the water, too.

Some guarded the muddy banks unafraid. Alligators are territorial. I kept thinking--why would she swim in the same water they were in?

The boat ride was slow but steady. Gradually, we cleared the thick bush-lined swamp and entered into a wide water-way filled with lily pads, all kinds of flowers, birds, and, yes, more alligators. They seemed to be everywhere.

Our trip back took us down the same water path we had come up. We saw turtles lying on fallen tree branches along the water and many other sights common only to this environment.

Welcome back!

When we arrived back at the dock, we found these two waiting for us. While sunning themselves on the concrete, they guard both directions.  The tour guide said they are there every day. All of us carefully got off the boat and skirted around these two.

I can honestly say that I was never so glad to get back on land again and back into my car.