WishesCameTrue
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2016
I posted earlier about the numerous gators we saw at SOG last October but want to clarify my feelings based on the the opening sentence here which states " A simple sign warning people that there are alligators would do wonders" as being correct. Checking into the hotel you are not given any special information warning about gators like you may get when you are playing golf at either of the courses which are on both sides of the hotel. Both of the places where we saw gators (the paths leading to the poly and to the pool) are not necessarily utilized by golfers.Better signs would be a start. A simple sign warning people that there are alligators would do wonders. The thing I keep coming back to is if people were clear as to the nature of an alligator attack, I don't think any parent in their right mind would even be on that beach in the evening or at night time. Because your child could be standing right at the edge, not even in the water, and be a victim. Sure, it's rare, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Whether they are in 3 inches of water or standing right next to the waterline, is that really a difference? Would any sane parent say, "well, he's in danger in three inches of water but perfectly safe standing right next to the water!" I read comments on a different thread chastising the parents, saying it's common knowledge that in Florida, not only does no swimming mean no wading, but it means don't go ANYWHERE NEAR the water. If that's the case, then these beaches and their activities need to go.
So seeing the signs at SOG which clearly warn about gators with an image and wording "Do not feed", "Beware of Alligators" DID make a difference in how we regarded the bodies of water. Although none of these bodies of water are tempting swimming locations, the ones in the back of the hotel in particular would be a temptation to go to the edge as there are fish and other wild life that you may want to get a closer look at. But again THE SIGNS MAKE YOU THINK TWICE.
One example is seeing 3-4 foot gator sunning itself on the edge of the water on the way to the pool which was about 12 yards from the path. There is only grass between you on path and gator at the edge of the water. The signs are located close to the path as to warn you not to go past them and you can see why this it is so.
So horrible what happened to this family