Joan, my views: A happy ending!

I love cats. Big cats, little cats, all cats.

So, it was pleasant when I arrived at Black Creek Park and Trails and saw quite a few beautiful cats, especially the one I christened “Cleo” (after Cleopatra as she was so exotic and welcoming).

As you probably know, even highly domesticated cats can be anti-social and hostile to strangers. But, as we arrived at the Park, Cleo came to rub against us and the rest hung around.

Black Creek Park is beside Camp Chowenwah in Clay County, Florida where we had gone to enjoy nature. The campsite is on the creek which is fed by the St. John’s River. There is a long bridge over the river, which takes you into Jacksonville.

Cleo

When we heard there was a bike lane on the bridge which joined our property to the park next door, we decided to walk over. However, the bike lane faded just over the bridge and we were left exposed as an unendeing number of cars were whisking rapidly on the road beside us. That left some of us very edgy and uncomfortable.

We were an exuberant, multinational group of hikers/campers from; Jamaica, Dom Rep, Guatemala and the USA.

Thankfully, we made it safely across the busy bridge.

Then as we entered the park, a welcoming party of cats met us.

Cats seem to have a special status in that Park, for there is even a trail named ‘9 Lives.’

That is however to honor one special cat.

That celebrity cat had reportedly sighted some raw chicken down by the creek and although a large gator was eating it, she decided she wanted some.

Stephanie the camper

That happened 11 years ago, and would you believe that neither did the gator not eat her but also, he actually crawled away, leaving her to finish the chicken!

That’s the reason for the title of this blog, for that was one crazy but lucky cat! So there was indeed a happy ending.😊

When I saw the You tube video of that encounter, I still held my breath although I had been told beforehand that the cat was not eaten! (phew).

Watch the heart-stopping video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/DiyWXQyAJ44.

Creek where the gator drama took place

This is the creek where this jaw dropping encounter took place. Fellow hiker and local resident Stephanie brought us up to speed on that heart-warming story.

On the hike, I was a bit curious to see a sign saying mountain biking trail but was assured that it was erected in jest, as there were no mountains there.

Wishful thinking?😂

The hike through the forest was pleasant and a good introduction to the area. We heard lots of birds but saw no animals as some crazies had approved a housing scene near the camp.

I guess that made the animals scatter.

A dismantled deer feeder

We did see a deer trap however although it was dismantled by rangers no doubt, as it is illegal. This is used by evil hunters who put corn inside of it and when the deer come to eat it, they shoot them.

Kinda like catching fish in a bowl.😡

There were a few trees that had been downed by Hurricane Ian, and one could see how far up into the park the creek had come when the river rose, but there was no serious damage. Just a few fallen trees and the water marks.