There is something special about the first time you see a new and exciting animal. Alligators are definitely cool to see in the wild. We just hiked a trail in Jean Lafette NP and saw several alligators from a very short distance. It's still exciting for the whole family even after having seen them several times before. If you ever have an opportunity, go somewhere you can watch them at night when they are more active. We did a night hike in the Everglades last year and it was amazing watching alligators float by right under the bridge we were walking on. And shining our flashlights out over the water revealed hundreds of red eyes out in the dark water.
being from Alaska, I somehow equated alligators with bears, a wild animal you must prepare for and be aware of. Here in Louisiana, I saw people in the water fishing and netting with alligators just a bit up the creek. It was a mental shift for me, and I'm less worried about walking the dog... leashed of course. I dio look forward to seeing one in the dark, maybe this winter when we stay in Florida.
We just left Louisiana yesterday! Now we are in Mississippi not far from Pascagoula.