I’ve ziplined among monkeys and sloths in Costa Rica, above raging waters in Quebec and off the treehouse in my backyard growing up, however, I’ve never propelled myself above American alligators and jumping Cuban crocs. Until now.
As I climbed the tower to the first “zip,” at Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve known as the alligator capital of the world, the guide explained that we were about to propel along five ziplines and, perch atop several aerial observation platforms and clamor across a 162-foot swinging bridge. All the while we’d be passing through Gatorland’s most popular sights.
I let out a few guttural “whees” and “wahooies” as I gleefully hurled myself off the launch pad for an introductory zip with a speed of 15-mph or so. The scenery below: Gatorland’s star reptiles, a tropical waterfall and the surrounding lush and rugged landscape.
To my delight, as we continued on, the zips became longer and faster. And the sights kept getting better and better. In fact, I sailed right past “Dundee” the saltwater crocodile and glanced cautiously at “Pops,” one of the park’s oldest and largest alligators.
Not to mention, at one point I was flying over 100 of Gatorland‟s largest alligators in the world famous Alligator Breeding Marsh. This is a 10-acre natural habitat where most alligators range between 10 and 12 feet long. Uh, it’s also their feeding area.
With that said, this action-packed excursion is not for the faint of heart.
Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
407-855-5496
www.gatorland.com
Thanks to Gatorland for hosting me.