Day 11 - The Mountain Lake Alligator

When I was 9 years old, someone abandoned a small alligator in Mountain Lake Park. The alligator became an instant sensation, and people from all around the city brought their cameras to try to capture snapshots of the little guy.

My dad was dead set on seeing him, and maybe even catching him. I remember taking at least one trip to the park, with my dad and brother, where we ventured off the path around the lake and bushwhacked our way to the secluded water's edge. We waited for what felt like hours; my brother and I started to get impatient and grouchy. Eventually, we had to give up the hunt and go home.

Someone finally trapped the alligator, and it was donated to the SF Zoo. It was exciting for a moment, but then a little sad; the mystery and intrigue of the murky Mountain Lake waters was gone. It was back to being just another lake in a city park.

19 year later, I live a block and half away from the park. I frequently jog through Mountain Lake to go to the Presidio, or the beach. The other day I was running by the lake, and decided to walk down to the water's edge, when a dark shadow passed in front of me. I looked down to see what must have been a 3-foot long catfish. It lingered near me for a moment and then it swam back out into the deep. 

While there may not be an alligator in the lake anymore, it's somewhat reassuring to know that there's still mystery in the water.