Watson Place

[Walt]

I was down in the park last week, and took the family for a boat ride down the WW. We stopped by Watson's Place, and I thought I had discovered some campers who were really thinking outside the box. They had chainsaws and 25 gallon chemical drums. It turns out that they were working for the Parks Service, and were clearing trails and eliminating certain plantlife (Pepper Trees). They had cleared a path 20' wide back to the old truck, and were working beyond the truck up the hill. I was very impressed with their efforts. They said they were going to be heading to Darwins place next week.

 

 

[vivian]

Ha! I would have been shocked coming up on that crew.  Do you know if that alligator is still trapped inside the cistern back on the north trail? Last time I was there a couple of months ago we spotted the gator.

[Walt]

Sorry Vivian, I didn't even make it to the the old truck before I was overwhelmed by the bugs.We were just out joy riding and I didn't even have bug spray, let alone a bug suit (they were surprisingly bad for march). I was so excited to see these guys working there, I didn't think to take some photos.  I think anyone who has fought their way through the growth here is going to appreciate what they are trying to do. I just wish they would spend a whole month there, and that would only be a good start.

I was on a secret covert mission to introduce my wife and daughter to camping in 10k. We stayed sunday night in EC (so we could get a permit), and I was hoping to watch some Watertribers coming into Ck Pt #2 sunday evening, but that didn't work out as planned. We spent monday night out on New Turkey Key, and everyone had a great time. We had to leave tues due to high winds, and when we got back to Chok on tues, we got to see the Watertribe check point was  busy (they had a rough challenge this year).

[Swamp Hunter]

Are you sure he is trapped Vivian? How high are the walls? An alligator can propel itself out of the water. I found that out one day while standing on the edge of the canal off Loop Road. I was almost a goner. They can also stand on their tails to climb a chain link fence.

[vivian]

Dale, I saw that gator a few years back and others have seen it. This past Dec a couple of kids came out of the trail and said that a gator was still there. Don't know if it is the same one or not. The cistern is low on water so I do not think he/she can get out until water levels get higher.

 

I did not know that alligators can stand on their tails! Augh! 

[yakmaster]

Year before last, my daughter was brushing her teeth at sweetwater. She bent over to spit out the paste & that gator must'a thought she was a fisherman with a handout. Gator came up and almost met her half way. He came up about 5 feet and she jumped back about 10! They can get up there!

[Bob Quirk]

Very interesting Chain Saws in the wilderness area.

[Swamp Hunter]

I shouldnt have said "stand on their tails," Vivian.   I meant they can use their tails to propel themselves upward and climb.

I will always remember the time that large gator almost pulled me under. Im sure he thought I was a prey animal. It happened so fast, I had no time to react. For some reason he changed his mind, inches from my head, in mid air, about 8 feet above the water's surface and I am still alive. Thats a very scary story, yakmaster, about your daughter. It seems its the alligator you dont see that will get you.. I will never casually bend over at the waters edge again unless I am certain its clear..