Today was a fairly long haul from Baytown, Texas through to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was the longest drive that we've done so far and the boys found it a bit tedious.
We tried to break up the drive a little by visiting Gator Country in Beaumont. We hadn't really planned on staying very long but when we got there a "kindergarten" group was visiting so we got to stay and see the Alligator information session and then the Big Al show as well.
The place was actually apparently an alligator farm originally that had been abandoned by the owners when they got in trouble with the county for the way they were running it. We were told that they walked out, locked the gates and left 1100 alligators behind. When the new owners arrived they found only two alligators left there - Big Al and his mate Allie.
The new owners are the guys who did the original Gator 911 television show (not the one we've seen at home) and they set the place back up and have caught and bred alligators, getting the numbers back up again. They also had on display different snakes and a heap of turtles/tortoises.
It was good to be able to see the gators so close and to watch the guys handle some of them too. One of the co-owners actually got in and swam with Big Al. Turns out their receptors are no where near as acute as crocodiles which helps to explain why they get in the water with them. They are also no where near as aggressive (old news, I know). It was funny to hear them admit too though that they wouldn't get in the water with a crocodile.
The boys got to round off the visit by buying a souvenir shirt which the owner of the place actually signed for them personally so that was pretty cool.
From there it was a 3 hour drive into Baton Rouge.
Craig and I found it really interesting to watch how the landscape and therefore also the roads changed so dramatically. Coming into Baton Rouge so much of it was actually double lane, divided bridges to cover the swamp land. A rather bizarre feeling that leaves you wondering just where the hell people actually live and then all of a sudden around a bend or over a crest you see a huge bridge ahead and a city beyond it.
The road kill count is continuing - lots of turtles, LOTS of armadillos (these things are either in huge numbers here or REALLY dumb when it comes to road sense!) Most surprising thing we've seen as road kill - a 5 to 6 foot alligator. Not kidding. Truly didn't think I'd see one as road kill but there you go - everything is susceptible to big trucks at speed apparently!
Onto New Orleans tomorrow.