Oct

Gator Attacks, Hockey Fights & Mermaids

The Mermaid of Bonita Springs

For the third time in as many weeks I’ve been able to take in a Florida Everblades hockey game at Germain Arena in Estero. I got to see the preseason game, season opener and last Friday, Lumberjack tagged along and brought the Mermaid. She’s just so darn cute and a lot of fun too. Have a look at her and get a good eye full.

One of the most popular things that goes on at the arena besides the Zamboni, the fights, the between period tricycle races or the balled up T-shirts being thrown into the audience is Swampee the everglades mascot. Kids love him and even a few grown ups do, too.

I sell real estate and buyers ask me all the time about gators. It never ceases to amaze me how much fear people have regarding alligators. I’ve lived here for 25 years and I still have all my fingers and toes. I can count maybe a dozen gators I’ve seen and it wasn’t in parking lots at the Coconut Point mall, the tennis court at the country club or at the beach. The media, once again, worked its magic and people are afraid of something that is less probable than a lightening strike.

Ok, maybe I lied to you. Maybe attacks by gators happen all the time, when least expected, to defenseless real estate agents minding their own bees wax watching hockey. I knew I should have stayed in bed in quite little Bonita Springs, Florida and pulled my blankets up over my head. It’s just not safe for a delicate flower like me to be that close to a gator.

Watch closely as this gator attack unravels. Turn your head if you’re sensitive to blood, gore and polyester stuffing.

I should have known better that to disrupt him in his natural habitat. You can just smell the danger in the air.

Observe the defensive posture the gator takes when he realizes that I’m in his territory.

He lunges toward me at such a speed the camera shutter can’t keep up!! When animals attack!

Just before he strikes with his razor sharp teeth I hold up my alligator bag (with matching shoes) and say “You sure you wanna try that tough guy?”

…and just like I expected he turned tail and ran. Probably back home to his mommy.

If you’d like to see this gator up close and personal visit www.FloridaEverblades.com for the season schedule.

If you’re really lucky one of the between period entertainment shows could be the pee wee Everblades. If you haven’t seen jersey’s at ankle length and helmets so big they’re like life sized bobbles, you’re really missing it. The kids get a standing O every time they come out. My favorite! They’re so stinkin’ cute!