The good, the beautiful and the too close for comfort.

Today we traveled a little ways down the road and headed to Brazos Bend State Park.

There was lots of good food to fill our bellies and good company to help the pass the time.  I ate more than my fair share of fruit salsa and Gabriel had two, yes two, hot dogs with his lunch. 

Beautiful is the only way to describe the scenery.  Brazos State Park is filled with areas to picnic, paths to travel on foot or bike and lots and lots of lake-river-swampy areas filled with gorgeous birds, slimy snakes, colorful flowers, bugs, turtles, fish and.... alligators! 

Walking down one of the trails towards 40 Acre Lake we stumbled upon a "friend" a little too close for comfort.  Sunbathing just off the trails edge was an alligator.  A 5-6 foot long alligator.  Eyes blinking.  Deep breathing.  Possibly ready to bit off your feet at any moment alligator.  While Matt stuck to the opposite side of the trail than the alligator (someone had to be responsible for Gabe), I crept a little bit closer to get a few better pictures.  That is until the alligator decided to move his arms (front legs?) and we decided it was time to continue down the path. 

Today was just a fabulous day exploring the beauty of nature and all the creatures God placed there in Brazos Bend.... and now I'm in the mood to watch Swamp People!!