A 14 Foot Florida Alligator, Really ??
When we grow old as men, we shrink a little in ways that are out of our control; it appears that alligators suffer this condition too.
A few weeks ago my son and I were were returning to South Florida from a road trip that took us through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Hitting the Florida state line headed south, is always the rough part. I’ve traveled this route many times in my life, more than I can count. I have seen some of the same advertisements along the highway for decades.
What made this return different, we were not pushed for time. So I was actively looking for interesting stops, allowing my son to get the most out of this boring stretch home. I soon spotted the large billboard advertisement for the “ Florida Citrus Center” in High Springs. Now, I have visited about every Florida Citrus Center there is over the years; I’m expecting no surprises.
Advertised on the first billboard along the interstate was the promise of a 14 foot alligator. Well, being a native of Florida and having watched every episode of “Swamp People” with Troy Landry and his crew; claims of a 14 foot Florida Alligator is worth investigating.
14 foot alligators may frequent the swamps of Troy’s state of Louisiana, but Florida will rarely produce a 14 footer.
As we cruise farther south on the interstate, another billboard puts the alligator at 13 feet. Okay,, maybe they shrink with age, like old men do.
We pulled off the interstate exit and here is the business;
As I get out of the car, I scan the perimeter of the business looking for an enclosure that would house a 13 foot alligator. An enclosure that would protect the tourists from such a Formidable Beast. I don’t see one.
We enter the store and I ask the clerk , “Where is the 13 foot alligator?”
He responds by pointing behind me stating, “Over by the window.”
In the window was a “stuffed” alligator!!
Not a live alligator, but either a stuffed or rubber alligator with a woman’s bathing suit & sandal in it’s mouth !!
My Cafecito - Florida Citrus Center
My first instinct was to shout, ” WTF !!” but I was in public with children in the store.
Oh well,,, they got us into the store and that was their clear intent. So we made the best of the moment. We looked around,,,, Low & Behold !!,,,, there was an actual live Florida Alligator in the store !!
Against the wall was a 13 inch Florida Alligator in an aquarium.
The poor little guy looked a bit pi$$ed. The aquarium did appear well maintained, but I’m sure the little guy would have rather been in the swamp outside. Instead the little guy gets to stare at tourists and his dead relatives on display.
My Cafecito - Florida Citrus Center
Other than the deceptive disappointment of a 13 foot Florida Alligator, I have to credit the business with the following;
The Florida Citrus Center was clean, well organized and the staff were very friendly. The staff were too young in my opinion to be the owners of the business, so I did not engage them in a conversation concerning the fake 13 foot alligator.
We did purchase some sweets to take home.
I got these Anastasia Coconut Patties and they taste great with a cup of Cuban Coffee.
The coconut patties are made down the interstate in Orlando by the Anastasia Confections Company.
The stop was worthwhile and we headed home.
Thank you for reading,,,,,,,,,,,,
John Corley