May 2015

Airboats

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What could possibly be more fun than seeing the Atchafalaya Swamp on an airboat?!
For those who may not know, an airboat is a flat bottom boat powered by an automotive engine. This engine then spins an aircraft propeller, which pushes the boat forward. These boats are often used in swamp and marsh areas where water is too shallow for other boats. On day two of your trek, a true Cajun by the name of Mitch Mequet, will lead you on an adrenaline filled ride on his airboat with over 600 horsepower! As you twist and turn between cypress and tupelo trees you will see the swamp’s nature and wildlife in fun and exciting ways you never imagined.

Fun Facts About Alligators

The American alligator is the largest reptile in North America. The largest alligator ever recorded was measured at 19 feet, 2 inches and weighed 2,000 pounds! Today gators average between 8 and 12 feet in length. A mature alligator has 80 teeth at a time but can go through as many as 3,000 in its lifetime. Their powerful jaws can shut with up to 2,000 pounds per square inch! These captivating creatures have roamed the earth for nearly 200 million years and there are nearly 2 million wild alligators in Louisiana. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always the case. Alligators were put on the endangered species list in 1973 and were not removed until 1987. Thankfully, gators have made an incredible rebound and can be seen almost anywhere along our trek.

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