Spring Break Friday: Brazos Bend State Park

Today we went to Brazos Bend State Park to see the Alligators. We went around 40 Acre Lake and Elm Lake- about 5 miles. The kids rode their bikes and Bryant and Jennifer walked and pushed Brady and Whitney in the stroller. We probably saw 40 alligators, many different species of birds, turtles, and ducks. The alligators didn't give us much of a scare but Bailey decided to ride her bike and not check to see how far she had gone. She had gotten too far ahead. Ben and Jennifer had taken off on the bikes and were not there to get her. Bryant starts yelling for her but she couldn't hear him because she was so far ahead (she said later that she was concentrating on keeping her balance). Eventually she is out of his sight and she kept going. He continues to yell for her but she is on a bike and is going so much faster than he can go. He starts to get worried because he can't even see her. Eventually Jennifer and Ben arrive after going around the lake and Bryant sent them to find Bailey-who had been gone out of his sight for 20 minutes. She eventually realizes she has gone to far and when we found her some people had found her. Then Ben rides ahead and reaches her first. Mom soon followed with dad bringing the babies. We are grateful that she was safe.

Bailey petting a 7 month old alligator- we were surprised how little it still was.

Whitney and Brady hanging out together in the stroller.

Bailey started off our outing falling. It didn't turn out to be one of her best days!!!

Dad and Brady on top of Observation Tower

See the Alligator hanging out behind Garren. It was amazing how close they are.

This was the biggest one we came across. Bryant passed it looking for Bailey but never saw it because he was searching so intently for her.

He was looking for some lunch

Three turtles sunning

Big Turtle!!!