What if I don't like gumbo?: My day at Klieberts: Self proclaimed swamp people and the worst smell on earth

Today I drove all the way to Hammond, which is about 50 mins from Baton Rouge. I had one goal in mind: Hold a gator.

First on the tour is a pond full of turtles

They let us know they eat the turtles..lovely.

Next: A pit full of young alligators, ranging in age up to about 7 years old.

They let us know they drain the pond, shoot them, and harvest the meat and bones, double lovely.

After that, the tour guide got in, grabbed a gator and taped its mouth shut for us.

I am convinced he must be insane.

Then we all took turns sitting on the alligator!

This is a proud moment in my life right here. Just letting you know.

I feel like I have really accomplished somthing. The gator is suprisingly smooth and soft to hold.

Next we moved to the real swamp where the big gators are. These ones are crazy old and giant, and scary as hell.

This is where alligators live

This is where birds live :)

Oh hey there!

Im just chillin

Why dont you bring your kids a little closer to my fence?

I am serious about those kids...man I WISH I could feed them to the gators....If I hear one more kid yell out "Hit that gator! Mess witht hat one over there!"......

This guy, just poking them with sticks..no fear. Brave or stupid you be the judge. I wouldnt be poking that animal with a stick thats for sure.

Just patting a giant killing machine on the head...no big deal

I think at this point I should mention, that if hell had a scent, if hell manufactured a special perfume, it would smell like this swamp. I wish my camera had smell O vision becuase MY GOD. The most horrible stench imaginable, stagnant water, heat, rotting meat. :( For hours after my visit I kept thinking I could smell it again. After the tour I covered myself in hand sanitizer and washed repeatedly but I still felt gross. I dunno, that smell will haunt my nightmares.

BACK TO THE TOUR!

This looks safe...