Biking to the swamp

Click twice on the play button above to hear the music.

The blue line on this progress map shows the Adventure Cycling Southern Tier route I initially planned to take. The green line shows my actual route including a few little diversions.

Day 30 - Biking to the Swamp

I was very surprised how beautiful the swamp is. It is mysterious and green with cypress trees growing in the water and Spanish moss, lilies, pond flowers, and other beautiful green vegetation and trees, and teaming with life – different species of birds, turtles, snakes, and alligators.

See how green it is. The water is about three to four feet deep here covered by duck weed so it looks like a green carpet. Cypress trees grow in it and stay healthy and do not rot.

Swamp dwellers - people actually live in the swamp. Their shacks are built into the water and there is no road in. The only way in is by boat. But they all have satellite dishes.

Look closely. This snake looks like a water moccasin, but our guide assured us it was not venomous.

This is a "big mama" alligator sunning herself on a log.

Here is a smaller alligator. They only grow about one foot per year if they aren't eaten by the blue herons or other predatory birds. Alligators are cannibalistic, so many of the young are eaten by their parents.


This big guy is looking for something to eat. Don't swim here.