Chain Of Lakes - Winter Haven, Florida

One time when I was about 17, Eddie and I were boating in the chain of lakes in Winter Haven, FL. These same lakes were a part of the Cypress Gardens lakes. So we decided to water ski at one of the points in the lake. We were very good skiers at that point and we could start from deep water. I was down in the water with my water ski in place and getting the rope, which was attached to the boat, in just the right position. I was down to my nose in the water, in position to be pulled out of the water. I looked over to my right, and there a few feet from me were the eyes of an alligator right above the water looking right back at me. As if to say, 'Hello there'. I couldn't run and I couldn't swim, all I could do was to get Eddie's attention and get him to get the heck out of Dodge City. He pulled me out right beside the gator. I guess I was about to teach that gator to ski.