MsPaperman said he was "okay, no need to be alarmed, no need to send a search party." Boy, she is driving a really nice Mercedes, too, brand new and all the bells and whistles!

I think 20mph is a stretch...never heard of one that fast...but even the actual 7.5 to 9 on land is faster than you might think it is! In the water you are HAD for the most part.

People bring their dogs [myself included] down to the river to swim. Right now, however, the waters up, the gators are out of their normal holes and when a dog comes around to go swimming it makes me pretty darn nervous. I'm not a fan!

a google search shows speeds of anywhere from 11 mph to short bursts of up to 20...

Well...I guess it depends on which facts you look at...I tend to keep to the UF stats.

They're friggin fast...regardless.

And that old saw about zig-zagging to avoid them? Complete bunk. Climb something!

Sorry you took my post that way. Aboard ship is very nice, no cooking, no cleaning, want a drink just let the bar tender swipe your key card, want a massage the number is right on your in room phone, all the comforts of home and no work. Aboard ship everyone is happy to wait on you hand and foot literally. Alaska is spectacularly beautiful, the mountain ranges are as much as six layers deep of untouched ruggedness. The inside passage is, well you can't hardly take your eyes off of the passing scenery. The ports of call are seriously just tourist traps shop after shop, you have to get off the beaten path to find "Alaska made" items. I am more interested in native culture and historic life, we found that, just had to dig for it. Juneau was the best port to me, beautiful clean friendly city. Whale watching was amazing, yep saw multiple flukes and got the pictures to prove it. Eagles all over the place in Juneau. I see the allure of Alaska especially in the "summer", August signals the beginning of their fall. Dress in layers, if you want a winter coat buy it on the cruise ship for $40. Sales tax is pretty much non-existent in port in Alaska, where I live we are just short of 10% sales tax on everything including food and prescriptions. Would I cruise the inside passage with Holland America again you bet, but I should pay this trip off first!

taller than a 4 foot fence. js. !

Oh this made me just have a visual of the dang gator jumping for the girl in the tree who'd fallen out of her kayak. That had to be unbelievably scary....kind of like climbing a tree only to see bear cubs above you

Alligators can climb chain link fences and some trees!

See post above yours

It really doesn't matter how fast gators can travel. All you need to make sure of is that you can run faster than whoever you are with.....just sayin'

!

I have a question for the group. If we wanted to go to Jackson Hole, WY and Yellowstone - what would be the best time of year? Thinking about planning something for next year - if we can find dog sitters that is. Both my husband and I would love to go to that part of the country - or Estes Park, CO.

I have been there 5 times. I recommend September when the crowds have diminished a bit.

Plus if you are like myself the September time is the in between of hot and cold weather. Makes for a perfect not hot enough to sweat but not cold enough to be uncomfortable in comfy clothes.

I went in early June. You're more likely to see baby animals then and the waterfalls tend to have more water.

How hot can it be at Yellowstone....ever?

Depends if you are hovering over a volcano pool maybe?

Just curious....i figured summers there would be in the low to mid 80s....and that sounds pretty wonderful for summer.

Bet no matter, they don't have humidity, which is the real 'killer' in the heat.

July is the hottest month in Yellowstone National Park with an average temperature of 57 °F

Many moons ago I was there on Memorial Day weekend, and there was this white fluffy stuff falling from the sky. It was a cool background for the ever erupting Old Faithful.

Geez...i'd need thermal underwear in July there.

I'm not sure 57 is accurate...I see 73 as the average high in July when I google!

I've been there in July and August, and during the day it's plenty warm for tank tops and shorts.

73? Geez, that sounds absolutely perfect.