Alligator Watching
In my solitude and domestic bliss I have begun to indulge in the daily walk. Three winding miles around Gainesville’s Sweetwater Trail, specifically, have been the apple of my eye. The scent of fresh air almost burns the nostrils with its purity. The silence, cut by passing words to a stranger on their way. The low bellowing of the Alligator’s mating call echoing across the plain. Each fraction contributing to the whole in symphonic harmony.
My infatuation with observing wild animals is by no means a no phenomena (see Raccoon Watching) but it is truly one of my favorite hobbies. To alligator watch in Gainesville is to open one’s eyes. Strewn on billboards, the elderly’s hats, frat brother’s polos, even on your own apartment table, where The Gainesville Sun declares the Gators “National Chomp-ions.”
Yet, all of these gators share one thing in common, even the ones basking on the Sweet Water. A stillness. The former are still for obvious reasons, but the latter boasts an arsenal of explanations for its stillness. Regulating body temperature bursts to the forefront as an explanation but frankly I am bored by that (here’s an essay about it I read and don’t want to talk about honk shoo). Second reason, ambush.
I get in my car, my (half) ironman shirt proudly adorned and coupled with a slick pair of silver running shorts. My feet held by my New Balance Rebel v4s, equipped with special socks to protect my heels from blisters. I’ve discovered that without the right socks my heel gets shredded by the harsh backing of the running shoes I’ve come to love, no problem really. As I sip from my pale yellow Stanley knockoff- I think my dad bought this for someone else and then hastily gifted it to me on Christmas- my ears feast on the offerings of Paul and Linda McCartney. “Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey - Medley” has been the latest earworm. The soft rain noises in the beginning leading to the crescendo is reminiscent of the quintessential Wings song “Band on the Run,” a real favorite of mine. A classic McCartney tempo shift hits at 2:20 and from there you’re falling straight into the sun. I really love this song, paused my Ethiopian Jazz playlist that I use to write to chow down on this tune as I write this, what a trip. Back to Jazz.
My car door shuts behind me, the sun scorches my hatless head as I think about that very error in outfit choice. I walk steadily to the trail, more sure of myself than each day before, accustomed to my new stomping grounds. The boardwalk carves a path for me through the brush and I respectfully follow it.
There’s no sense in building up the initial Gator sighting as there are more Gators than other people on this trail. I could say our eyes locked, I jumped at the realization of it not being a log, but the truth is every time I see one I just stand and look. I’d say it’s the opposite of someone seeing a dolphin, where jubilation should be, there is only a combination of fear and admiration. This trail is special in the way that it’s so open. Once the boardwalk ends and you’re walking on a trail of sand, flanked by water, you feel something new. The thought that pops into my head over and over is “yea I guess no one has died here or gotten eaten by an alligator so I should be okay,” and that works pretty well honestly. I also probably wouldn’t stand a chance because I do enjoy popping in an airpod and listening to whatever the moment asks for. The first day, Paul McC, the second, the lovely 9 minute jazz session that is “Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione- uh oh it’s another music recommendation- and today I honestly can’t remember what it was. Back to Gator.
Alligator is derived from El Lagarto.
-Recon Phantom came out, I’ll add more to this tomorrow #madeuprules #part1of2-
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