Each time I venture to a new state, area, city, I try something different. Basically a chicken by nature, lol, I steer clear of challenges, like heights or shark diving.
What I have found is that I have become more and more adventurous and a lot less chicken as each trip progresses.
Perhaps it was because I was in the company of my girlfriend Joni.
Alternatively, maybe because Bayou Country is just sinfully intoxicating with, ‘things you gotta try!’
Poor Joni, every road we drove on in Houma, I kept asking, “are there gators in there?”
Her patience was incredible and she always responded, “maybe.”
Joni grew up in Bayou Country and she has even seen them on the road, blocking traffic.
Today our adventure and experience are at an alligator farm in Houma.
One of the gators I will come face to face with was even in a ‘JackAss Movie!’
Here’s to hissing, and tons of teeth and a great guy named Mr. Tim. It’s time to get into my alligator experience in Bayou Country.
My Alligator Experience In Bayou Country
DISCLOSURE: I was a guest of Houma, Louisiana. Thoughts, images, and stories are my own based on my experience.
Let me back things up just a bit. I am in Bayou Country, also known as Houma, Louisiana.
Houma is in the parish of Terrebonne. Fact: Houma is the largest city in the Parish.
Parishes are what we might refer to as counties.
However, since the area is Roman Catholic, the areas were divided by Parish back in the day, thus, not counties, they are Parishes. Story Done.
My Alligator Experience And Looking For Crocs.
We are spending the morning at Gator Farm! Are you ready for this experience?
I was definitely not expecting what I saw.
There are NO crocodiles in Houma, just gators. Gators are everywhere because about 70% of Louisiana is water covered.
From swamps to bays, inlets, Gulf Coast, lakes, arteries, marshes, there is just no end to the water.
I had not realized how covered in water Louisiana was until I was up close and there.
In fact, on Day 1 of my Swamp Chic Girlfriend getaway in Houma, I took ill with a massive headache due to the elevation of sea level and no more!
Truly the elevation can get you if you have no been right at sea level before.
So on Day 2, we were about to take on Houma, Louisiana and all of it’s crazy creatures from fun to meals!
Mr. Tim
Mr. Tim runs and owns the place. Here’s what I know, the Gatorland in Orlando is not at all the same as this.
Yes, there I ziplined above gators, but here, it was face-to-face with them, closer then you can believe and it’s a working gator farm.
Totally 2 different things and not what I thought I was visiting.
When someone says we are going to a working gator farm, be prepared because it is very ‘working’.
That’s all I know how to say.
I met Mr. Tim of Greenwood Gator Farm and Tours.
Let me just put it out there, he’s the real deal. I consider him the ‘crocodile Dundee’ of the Bayou.
He fields eggs, he hatches and runs a full-blown alligator farm.
Never did I think I would experience this gator so close, with this little fence separating me and thee!
Uggg! Does he look like he wants out or fed?
Yeah, he gets in the pen with them (oh he’s that cool) and he knows almost everything there is to know about gators.
But it’s not just what he knows, it’s how he talks and explains with that Bayou Country accent that is so thick you understandable.
The Indoors at Greenwood Gator Farm
So the first stop is a tour inside the building and with the heat and humidity, this is the perfect escape.
Inside is a gift shop and if you are hunting Houma or Bayou Country trinkets buy them here!
Then into the room where you can watch a film of Mr. Tim capturing eggs and being ‘watched’ and aggressively sought out by the Momma Gators.
The only thing missing is the popcorn.
Next, it’s into a room of the ‘misfits’ of alligators.
From crooked snouts to weird tales and everything in between.
He captures, saves and keeps them. Just a little note here. Do not hangover, do not jump in, they growl!
My Alligator Experience I will NEVER forget.
I held a gator. Oh, I can’t believe I did this.
It took coaxing it took a few minutes to get it together but I did!
There’s a video to prove it! Seriously even with its big yapper taped shut, was totally afraid.
But wait, that’s not all the fun continued right on to the outside.
Here’s where it really got interesting, however, I was watching from the OUTSIDE and Mr. Tim he went to the inside.
Seriously can’t believe he does this!
Really I did it and there are pictures to prove it.
SO many people want this experience and it’s here waiting for you.
Scared or not scared, totally All-In Fun.
You can do this if I did!
The Alligator Pens & My Alligator Experience
All I had to see were gators in this chicken wire-like pen and I was ready to run for the hills if they existed in Bayou Country.
We walked up to the fence and these things literally growl at you, they are mean!
Really look at how mean this gator looks.
I am scared of just taking the picture. Who would go in that pen?
There were big gators and smaller gators and sunbathing gators, and those that were peering up at us from the water.
It was a total invasion of alligators, and thankfully I was not IN the pen.
Everywhere I looked here were gators crawling around.
They gave me the creeps, to be honest, they are so eerie to look at and then they look at you right back.
While I was on my alligator experience, Mr. Tim went Alligator Seeking
Mr. Tim totally pushes the envelope of crazy with these gators and their limits of interaction, (God Bless Him).
He gets into the pen and no food in hand, calls them on up and they respond as if they are dogs.
He digs in deep with this raspy Cajun calling voice and suddenly this BEAST appears.
But they close in on him, watch. I was hardly able to breathe and film.
They are literally 10 Feet long, some bigger, some smaller, but vicious and moving those jaws. Ugggg!
Look at this. The gators are coming in from everywhere and the only thing separating him from their teeth is this little poking stick.
My heart is in my mouth and I can’t believe what I am seeing. Is Mr. Tim going to be breakfast?
10 Foot On A Gator Looks Like — Here’s what I saw on My Alligator Experience
Wondering how big these gators are? Want to hear them. Great watch the video because they make ferocious noises and are huge.
In fact, one was even starred in a Jackass movie.
Learn more by watching the video! Pretty incredible.
Tell Me More About Greenwood Gator Farm
Here’s everything you want to know about Greenwood Gator Farm.
I interviewed Mr. Tim real quick and this is stuff you want to know from bathroom facilities to touring.
Truly all the things you want to know but may not find elsewhere! I ask everything.
My personal thanks to Houma, Louisiana for hosting me, and for Mr. Tim and his time that he generously provided to me for a private tour!
It’s a lot of fun and all I can tell you is that this is the Houma adventure you will love ~ DANA XO
