Everglades adventure

Our spring break trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa began with a new adventure: an air boat trip through the Everglades. Prior to embarking, the kids hung out with Grandma (and Grandpa, too).
And to kill time before our scheduled departure, Will and Elle each had a chance to hold a baby gator. Aww... almost.
Ah, the scenic mangroves of the Everglades. What a wild ride!
Then, suddenly, as the narrow river opens into a shallow clearing... (cue Jaws theme).
We meet a new friend. Look how happy he is to see us!
While not exactly tame, you can tell he's done this before.

Still, I think it best we not take him home for show and tell. This *chomp* photo was taken without zoom. Yikes.
Somehow, we still managed to listen and learn from our air boat captains. Grandma, Grandpa and the kids were on another boat. You can't tell, but Will spent most of the ride yelling, "Grandma! I'm freaking out!" He comes by it honestly. ;) BTW, the gentlemen in the front row are no relation.
Andy and I, however, were lucky enough to ride with this charming couple, none other than my aunt Colleen and uncle John, who are always good company. :)
Before we left the pond, Will managed to conquer his fears long enough to try sitting in the driver's seat. He was not completely thrilled, but he sure looked cool!
Our journey continued through more mangroves, until it was necessary to cue the Jaws theme again. This guy wasn't quite so friendly, and didn't take an interest in us. For better or worse.
Before our trip was over, our captain put me in the driver's seat, and let me actually control the boat. OK, he worked the pedals, but I worked the steering, er, stick thingy. As he put it, "It's like driving a bar of soap with 400 horsepower." Indeed.
Definitely not something kids (or adults, for that matter) from D.G. do every day. Quite the adventure! Thanks, G and G!