Tick Tock’s Bigger Brother…

Weather in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina has been gorgeous recently. Bright sunshine and warm temperatures cause our bodies to call out for sunscreen. Snapdragons are blooming, yellow and purple pansies adorn entrances to neighborhoods while red and pink flowers on bushes are bursting forth with color and fragrance. The sights are amazing along our walking route.

One of the most amazing sights came last week when we were unexpectedly close to a large creature… yes, an alligator.

Our family vacationed on Isle of Palms for a few years. Signs are placed in several areas warning people not to feed the alligators. The first year we stayed at IOP, our family discovered an alligator in a small body of water near the hotel. Curiosity got to us every time we were outside.
“Let’s look for the alligator” was often exclaimed by one or more person in our family. Our nieces, Peyton and Paige, gave him a name. “Tick Tock”. They were glad to tell their younger brother, Ryder, all about the alligator.

Ever since that first sighting, we always say, “Let’s look for Tick Tock, the alligator.” He’s almost always found in the water or sunning himself on the land by the creek. We follow the rules and leave “Tick Tock” alone and he seems fine being a celebrity. He doesn’t want to be bothered and we respect his wish.

Our own neighborhood is known to have alligators in the ponds, too. Last week, while taking our evening walk, Alan and I noticed a few people standing behind a gate to the neighborhood pool, taking photos of “something”. Ahh….. a rather large alligator. Lots of folks, including us, stopped to wonder at this large gator.

After gasping and saying, “Oh, my. He’s big!” and sharing conversation with other folks amazed by the gator, and taking photos, we continued with our walk. After completing the route to our destination, we turned to head back home.

Walking on the designated paved path while glancing at the area where we had seen the gator, I commented, “Where’s the gator? I guess he went in the water. I don’t see him anywhere.”

Alan responded calmly, “Dear, you don’t see him over on the other side of the pond because he is right here on this side now.”

YIKES!!! The huge gator was on our side of the pond and way closer to us than I wanted. Immediately, I suggested firmly that we keep walking. Of course, Alan wanted to take a few photos. Yes, I walked away at a brisk pace and Alan stopped and snapped photos of the alligator.

This alligator is bigger than “Tick Tock” so we have decided to name him “Tick Tock’s Bigger Brother”.  Fine with me if I don’t see him again. I just hope he stays on the other side of the pond. 🙂

As I have mentioned before, God gives us amazing experiences to enjoy each day. Take a walk and let us know what you find in your neighborhood.

Blessings,
Mimi