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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Working on adventures for Flat Joey

I’ve had to work the last two days, and yesterday was cold, drizzly and dreary.  I was excited though, because I got out of the VC and worked at the Chesser Homestead.  Considering the miserable day, I was very surprised to have 84 visitors to the cabin. 

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That’s a pretty big number for a weekday even considering lots of schools have spring break here.  I know if I wasn’t working, I would have been hunkered down inside the rig with the furnace going.  But any day out and about is good, and the new water lily blooms weren’t effected by the weather at all.

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The other bonus to this day was my first ever sighting of a Florida soft-shelled turtle.  It wasn’t doing much, but it was probably warmer in the water than it was on land.  I think they’re rather odd looking turtles.

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Today dawned bright and sunny, and I headed in to work the VC for the morning.  Of course, Flat Joey came with me.  With the help of intern, Kathy, we came up with this photo of FJ with an alligator.  Not to worry, this guy isn’t alive any more, but by putting him outside next to the Suwannee Canal, he was in perfect habitat.  Interesting part of this little adventure, was that as we carried FJ and the stuffed gator out the back door, a live male alligator in the canal took note, and came swimming towards us to check things out!  25 feet is the suggested safe distance from a live alligator, so I took my picture fast, and we headed back indoors. 

It is always amazing to me how close visitors try to get to the live wild alligators on the refuge.  Kind of reminds me of visitors to Yellowstone approaching the bison on foot.  We had a family from Russia today where the grandmother kept pulling her little granddaughter closer and closer to a gator on the Swamp Island Drive, and wouldn’t heed our warnings about the speed that these creatures have.  They spoke English, so it wasn’t a language barrier.  Why would anyone take such a chance with the lives of their loved ones?  Dumb, really dumb!

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While on roving this afternoon, FJ and I made a visit to the rocker on the front porch of the Chesser Homestead.  As you can tell, the weather was much more pleasant than yesterday.

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On the way back to help close the VC for the day, a great blue heron posed for me while it fished a small wetland.  Tomorrow afternoon, my sister Pam and husband Stan will arrive for a short visit.  Long time readers may remember that we try to get together a time or two each year to share some camping time.  I’m hoping to be able to arrange a boating adventure for us on the refuge sometime next week.  We may be doing some canoe trail maintenance.  Seems if you visit me for more than an hour or two, I’ll put you to work for the refuge!  Winking smile

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. I'm glad that one was stuffed. I personally don't think 25 feet is far enough away. I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of people around wild animals. And then they blame the animals or the refuge if something goes wrong.

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  2. Great pictures of Flat Joey. Glad you clarified that the gator was no longer viable - had me worried there at first glance!!

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  3. Whoa, got me scarit at first with FJ and the gator! Whew! Beautiful water lily pic.

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  4. I would so love to go to work with you! What a thrill for anyone to have.

    Love the pic with FJ and the gator... that's a beautiful water lily.

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  5. Flat Joey made an appearance on the The Today Show this morning. I guess he made a little side trip when you were not looking.

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  6. I think you and Kathy could get into major trouble without even trying.

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  7. Whew! Glad to find out that was a stuffed gator. I was afraid Flat Joey may have become Invisible Joey.

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  8. Still think FJ is one of the best ideas ever! I wish I had my grandkids' teachers email addresses so I could suggest it to them.

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  9. Me too. I was quite worried about Flat Joey being so close to that Alligator. Hope the kids who see him there will know it's stuffed. Super about the turtle. I've never seen one.

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  10. That turtle is quite interesting, or is it quite odd looking. YOU, my friend, look terrific! No more pain/stress in the face.

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  11. Flat Joey is pretty brave to be that close to an alligator..even a stuffed one!

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  12. FJ is turning into fun for all of us. I know you are enjoying.
    I just love the water lily.

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  13. I love Flat Joey. I missed the blog where you introduced him so I had to go back to see what was up with your little flat friend. That is so cool. I wish someone would send me one of those.

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  14. Flat Joey is definitely having an adventure. I about fainted when I saw him with the gator. I couldn't believe that gator would allow you to do that...the joke is on me. Great photo of you with FJ.

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  15. Makes me think of those stunts people do then say "Don't try this at home". But this might be Joey's only opportunity to see an alligator up close and personal since he lives in the north ;-)

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  16. Flat Joey wouldn't have made much of a meal, but you sure would have!...What we do for our kids!!

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  17. I was thinking exactly the same thing as Nan. . .you look like you feel 100 times better. . .so great!

    Did a double take when I saw FJ. . .glad you explained. . .good one!

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing Blog
    FaceBook.com/ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing

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  18. You should put Flat Joey in the alligator's mouth! Then spin a tale about how you saved him. That would give the little kiddles something to talk about! (I'm such a terrible person...)

    Beautiful water lily. :)

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  19. It's amazing how much more you see through Flat Joey's eyes... ;c)

    Can't wait to see what kind of trouble you get him into next!

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  20. Flat Joey will need a good story about why he got so close to the gator ... I guess Grandma wasn't around to tell him otherwise ;-)

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  21. Flat Joey may need a change of clothes after that alligator encounter!

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  22. The kind of parent that pulls their child toward an alligator is the exact same parent who after their child is attacked retains a lawyer and claims the property management did not do enough to prevent this from happening. You can't fix stupid.

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