National Wildlife Refuge

When we first started our drive through St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge, we were none too sure we would actually be able to spot a 'gator.

But lo and behold we saw the one above and another after just a couple of miles of beautiful scenery.

Then we arrived at the lighthouse.

And saw this. Do you see him? That speck in the pond? Well, when he saw us, he changed his course and quickly zoomed right toward us.

Until he was right here. I stepped around a wooden partition to snap this pic--and this isn't all that zoomed in. This is how close he really was. If I had leaned over, I might have been able to touch him. I didn't. And don't worry, grandparents, the kiddos stayed safely behind the little wooden fence and I skedaddled behind the fence pretty quickly myself.  

Jacob and I explored a little pathway behind the lighthouse.