the "swim" that keeps on giving!
Thought I would beat you or Dave to it Al!
Just one of the memories of last year's Osceola trip.
I guess I will tell the story as Al told it last year:
Ted recently took a trip to Florida, and overcome tremendous odds to wreak havoc on the birds down there. Nothing was gonna stop Gatorman from gettin his birds. The trip with Dave was bad enough, but once there things got even worse. I know on one of his birds he had to risk his life to get the bird. From what I understand, he shot a gobbler across some water that was supposed to be ankle deep. Turns out it was only ankle deep if you were standing on your head!!! But that didn't stop Gatorman from gettin his bird. He dived right in and fought his way through the gator infested water and retrieved his bird!!! Way to go man!!! One thing that impressed me more than Ted's determination to get his bird was his friend Dave's (Longbeard27) true friendship to Ted. He made sure Ted didn't miss out on getting a pic of this GREAT moment!!! Dave is a true friend to Ted. Here's a pic of Ted and his bird. I'm not sure how the Gator faired. When I talked to Ted about it, he kept changing the subject!! He is a short version of a long story.......
Actually I had asked about the depth of the irrigation canals and was told they were not very deep (except for areas that the gators had wallered out. When I got to the edge of the canal I tested the depth with one foot; no problem...a second step and the depth only increased a few inches. At that point I took a big step in an effort to get across quickly.....my feet never hit bottom! After letting out what my wife lovingly terms my "girly" scream. I think I walked on water to get to the other side. "...not deep except for the gator wallers" kept dancing in my head! After getting the gobbler and recrossing the canal (not twenty yards away was a dry crossing) I stepped out on the access road and was greeted by Dave (longbeard27) and his phone, snapping the "wet" picture and laughing hysterically! What a friend, what a trip and what memories.
Just after the "dip"
A few hours later
Good luck to all who are heading out tomorrow. Be safe and make some memories!Ted
