Alligators in Memphis

This was our '15 minutes of fame' in Memphis. We were staying at T.O. Fuller state park when we were approached by a TV truck and crew. They asked if we would mind being interviewed for TV about the alligators in the park. We said sure, why not? Well, actually I said that. Kat agreed, but only if I did the talking. So we both got on TV. I just did the talking. I tried to get the video but this is the best I could do. Oh well!

Alligators not a large concern for Memphis campers
May 24, 2006 04:07 PM MDT

Mississippi wildlife experts are warning campers in the central part of the state to be careful of alligators this weekend.
With alligators also spotted recently near T.O. Fuller state park, some campers there are wondering if they should be worried about alligators, too.
There are at least two alligators at McKellar lake, located in T.O. Fuller State Park. Randy Sines and his wife camped there Wednesday, but weren't worried about the animals.
"I have seen them in the Everglades and they didn't seem too dangerous," Sines said. "I wouldn't think they would bother me."Chris Baker, a curator at the Memphis Zoo, said the alligator warning in central Mississippi is active because the gators are breeding. "If you have a female that has built a nest, she will actively guard that nest," he said. "If you get really close to it, she will attack you."
Baker and the Tennessee State Parks say there's no need for campers like the Sines to worry about alligators here in the Mid-South.
"You've gotta have aggressive alligators that have been fed by people, are not afraid of people and associate you with food," Baker said. "I don't think we've got anything like that here."
Experts say if you see an alligator on land, back slowly away. Alligators are fast in the water, but slow on land.

This is from NBC Channel 5 news in Memphis TN, Brook Sanders reporting.

Oh! We never did see any alligators. We didn't "beat our feet in the Mississippi Mud" either!

Mt Ida

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to denigrate Arkansas, but we’re in the heart of it right now! Yesterday we drove a couple of hundred miles from Broken Bow OK., to Mt Ida AR. through the Ouachita National Forest. We’re headed to Hot Springs AR., and then to Branson MO. It is and was a very beautiful drive. Nice winding roads, lots of trees and greenery, a few mountains, definitely hill country. But! That was it. No shopping mall, no fast food, no passing lanes, two service stations, and worst of all no latte’ stand. In fairness, we did pass some very nice and well kept homes. The kind that sit back in the trees some and the grass is all well mowed and everything seems to be in neat and proper order. In other spots we passed some old cars that I haven’t seen in years; Studebakers, a 53 Pontiac or two, some things with fins and some that were made before there were fins. We passed one spot that looked incredible. I swear it could have been the Hollywood set for Dogpatch. Old and sun bleached wood frame shanty’s. The kind with the big cracks between the rough cut timbers and roofs that are swayed and bent with age and weather. You could almost see Granny sitting in a rocker smoking her corn cob pipe. There must have been a dozen buildings of various sizes and shapes. And they were all still standing. It was almost as if they had been placed there as a set. All that was missing were people in bib overalls and clodhoppers and calico dresses. Or maybe a sign that said “Sadie Hawkins Day Race“. Some will relate, others won’t! To those that don’t I will give you a hint, think Li’l Abner. But it was neat! In Mt Ida we shopped at the Family Dollar and Bob’s Super Mart and had a shake at the Dairyette. Those were the choices. Oh! And we saw our first “Bear Crossing” sign just west of here! Arkansas!
On the way out of town I passed a US Forest Service campground and got a quick look. It didn’t look any different than they usually do. That’s a dirt campsite, maybe big enough and maybe not, with water and no electricity and a picnic table. But I turned around down the road a piece and came back to take a look. I’m glad I did. I asked the old gentleman who came out of the “campground host” spot if he had something suitable for us? He said that he did and to go on back and take a look. Man! Were we impressed. This is the nicest Forest Service park we’ve (I’ve) stayed at. There must be 50 sites total. Some with full hook-ups; sewer, water, and electric. Both 30 and 50 amp service. We use 30. Some of the bigger rigs use 50. The pads are black top and 50-60 feet deep with a level crushed rock tent site behind that and about a 15’ X 20’ concrete pad attached beside the black top. The concrete pad has a picnic table, fire ring, about a 4’ raised barbecue, two bear hooks and an elevated cooler stand/work table. The fire ring is set in an exposed aggregate corner of the pad. And it’s all new! There hasn’t even been a fire in the fire ring. The camp host said it opened on the first of the month. The restrooms and showers are nice and new and there’s a pond with swimming platforms and ladders. Most of the roads are new macadam and good for biking. All of the campground is wooded and a small stream runs through the center and is dammed to make the pond and swimming hole. So we may and just open a bag of marshmallows stay awhile. That may sound pretty simple, I suppose it is! But it’s nice, and just one little tiny part of our “great big backyard”.
The Flight School Reunion was great! It wasn’t like I knew a lot of guys but there were a few I recognized right away and some that came back to me. My (rememberer) isn’t as good as it once was and after this long most of us look a little different. I won’t go into that; you all probably know what I mean. Our class started in 1966 and 40 years is a long time. My good friends Ron and Cathy couldn’t make it so mostly it was renewing old or establishing new friendships. But then that was easy. I guess when you do something difficult together like we all did, and then have pretty much the same experience, things can come together quickly. And they did. Lots of laughter and tears. As hardened and calloused as we were to the events of the time, most of us have become a lot more tenderhearted over the years. There wasn’t a great deal planned. We had the obligatory dinner and everybody spent some time in the bar. A few of us played a round of golf at the course next to the hotel. Probably what most of us will remember is the little ceremony that was done to honor our KIA’s in Vietnam and those who have passed since. KIA names were read and posted and one of the guys had prepared and did a very well done reading. I had the honor of posting my good friend Glen Shropshire’s name. That was a little hard on me as the ceremony was to most of the others. And then there were the “war” stories and all the times and things we remembered about flight school. Gosh it was good to get together. Kat really enjoyed it too! We all had such a good time that we decided to do it two years from now in San Antonio. We plan on being there!
So now it’s time for the second leg. We’re going to go see Kat’s cousin Eddie in Memphis and her uncle Rupert in Alabama. But we’re going to do it via Hot Springs National Park and Branson MO, and maybe some other stops in between.
The storms appear to be over. It’s that time of year, but it seems we’ve had more than our share of thunder and lightning. Almost every night for the last couple of weeks. Although daytime weather has been pretty good the storms have been a little rough on Kat. The benefit for me is that is causes her to snuggle up a little closer. That’s nice! Today is bright and clear and the humidity as dropped considerably. Yesterday we got the RV and bikes all washed up and today were going to go into Hot Springs and see if we can find the Wal-Mart and stock up. That is where RV’ers go, Wal-Mart! We also need to find a spot where we can get phone service so we can make reservations in Branson. So for those of you wondering, “why don’t they call“? It’s because we can’t.

And that’s it for now. We’re having a grand time and wouldn’t trade for anything.