Alligator Story: Stephanie’s Version

I am pretty sure I have told this story about a hundred times. A lot of the details have become hazy over the years. Here is my version of the alligator story that transpired on that infamous day.

It was the early 90’s, and we were in living Florida. Some family friends had come down from Maryland for a visit over the summer. We found a park where us kids could burn off some energy. Now we could all spend some time together out in Mother Nature. This park had pond with a bridge. We took some bread (I have no idea why we had bread with us) to feed the fish. Naturally, the commotion in the water attracted the alligators.

Gator Bait

One gator in particular was hanging out right under us trying to score a free meal. This is pretty exciting for us kids but not for dear old dad. The next thing i know, my dad is laying on the bridge with his arm out. Itsright as the alligator is swimming under the bridge. Just before the alligator’s tail was out of reach, my dad reaches down, grabs, and yanks it. The gator whipped his head around. He obviously did not appreciate having his tail pulledy. just in the nick of time, my dad yanked his hand out of the way.

At the end of the day, us kids were pretty impressed that our dad had just tangled with a wild alligator. And that he came out of it completely unscathed.  I’m still not entirely sure about the exchange of words between my mom and dad after the incident. I am sure that my mom was none too pleased about what happened that day. That’s my alligator story.