Alligator Escapade

I need to preface my story by first saying that I lived in Savannah, Georgia, for a time. A place I miss and recommend visiting if you are given the chance... so much history, great State Parks, and National Wildlife Preserves. While there I paddled the Ogeechee River, George L. Smith State Park in Georgia, both the Harris Neck and Savannah National Wildlife Refuges, and the Okefenokee Swamp. I have seen an alligator or thirty while kayaking, but my heart still skips a beat anytime, every time I see one not too far off in the distance or along the riverbank.

Big Alligator at Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia, the Gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp

A couple weeks back, I planned a visit to Goodale State Park in South Carolina, situated just a few miles from the historic town of Camden. I loaded my kayak and other essential gear and set off on the two-and-a-half-hour journey to the park. Weekdays usually see fewer visitors, and this lovely Wednesday morning was no exception. Upon reaching the kayak launch area, I noticed only one other vehicle present. The launch site is a sandy spot on Adams Mill Pond. After parking, I began preparing my equipment. For such a paddle, I always ensure I have ample water, snacks, bug spray, life jacket, an emergency paddle, flashlight, hat, cell phone and/or action camera, GPS, and a map, along with several other items to enhance the trip's comfort.

A woman, maybe a few years older than me, who was the only other person there, started walking over to where I was. She was carrying her two-piece kayak paddle, and she was looking rather concerned. She had bent one end of her paddle in transit and could not fit the two ends into each other. Together we worked on it for about ten minutes to straighten it out and get the two sections to slide into each other. I wished her luck, and off she went, paddling across Adams Mill Pond to the entrance of the canoe/kayak trail. I was about 15 minutes behind her as I slid my kayak into the cool waters of Adams Mill Pond and headed for Pine Tree Creek Canoe Trail.

The trail is clearly marked, and before I entered at the designated point, on the far side of Adams Mill Pond, I checked my GPS and action camera to make sure they were functioning properly. Then I pointed my kayak in the correct direction and started paddling down the kayak trail. It is wide and accommodating to start, paddling through a bald cypress forest on either side. The sky a brilliant blue with white puffy clouds, does it get any better...I think not!.

As you continue, it narrows and twists and turns this way and that. The tree cover obsuring the view of the sky. I was only about 300 to 400 yards in when I came around a tight turn and there, not 25 feet in front of me, right in the middle of the trail, was a very large alligator. I had the presence of mind to turn my camera on, all the while keeping an eye on the gator. I would say the trail was about 20 feet wide at the point where the gator was, and he seemed to take up most of the distance from one side to the other... I may be exaggerating a bit, but he definitely was a big old gator. Because the trail was narrow and there were trees crowding in from the sides, the area was well shaded. The gator looked a very dark green, almost black as it floated in the water. It was so well camouflaged it was almost invisible, and if not for its immense size, it may well have been.

The gator's name is Elvis, and he has been a resident of the park for quite some time. He is very rarely seen, so I was honored to be in his presence. But even so, Elvis is a wild animal and should be treated as such. DO NOT approach, harass, or be complacent around any wild animal! I decided to wait quietly to see if he would vacate the area and I could continue on my way. I backed off a little and sat quietly in my kayak, always keeping Elvis in sight. He did not move, and every time I put my paddle in the water to adjust my position, he would raise his very broad back out of the water to make sure I realized just how large he was. Message received loud and clear, he wasn't going anywhere, and he didn't want me there, so I slowly turned around and made my retreat back the way I had come, checking over my shoulder frequently to make sure he was not in pursuit. I beached my kayak back at the put-in/take-out, and fortunately there were several rangers there, working on some project.

I told them my story; they were a little surprised that I had seen Elvis. He is elusive, reclusive, and is rarely seen by park-goers. They provided details and the backstory about Elvis. I did let them know there was one kayaker deeper in, and I wasn't sure of her experience level. They said they would watch for her. I told them I was heading back out, that I wanted to complete the trail, and if "Elvis had left the building" (was nowhere to be seen), I was going to continue on along the trail. Which is exactly what I did; Elvis was nowhere to be seen, and very cautiously, I proceeded down the kayak trail.

I did meet up with the woman several minutes later, she was on her way back out. I told her about my encounter with the alligator - she said she had not seen him on the paddled in. We swapped kayak stories for about twenty minutes, and I realized she was probably more experienced than I am. We parted ways, she headed out, and I headed deeper along Pine Tree Creek, always in the back of my mind was the thought; what if Elvis blocks my way on the way out... there is only one easy way in and only one easy way out!

To make a long story short, or at least the ending of the story shorter. I did make it to the end of the kayak trail, with no more surprises. I saw Blue Heron, Osprey, Hawks, White Egret, and bunches of Turtles. As far as alligators, the rest of the paddle was uneventful. I made it back to the take-out and loaded my kayak and gear back on/in my car.

Goodale is a wonderful South Carolina State Park, https://southcarolinaparks.com/goodale,

near a town, Camden, that is so full of amazing history. I totally recommend a trip to the area, and you can end the day with a meal at one of the many eating establishments in Camden. On this trip, I didn't have time to check any out, but you can be sure the next time I will visit one or two, plus the brewery that is nearby. Watch for a follow-up blog... What an awesome day!!

As always, Quest Quietly and be friendly to all the people you meet and your fellow questers.