Uploaded December 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In 2005 I took my camcorder to work to film my day out in the Everglades. I had been working there since 1999 and would remain there until 2008. Before working in the Everglades, In 1998, I was working at a store called Lechters at International Mall. In that year my mother Berta Maria Gutierrez became ill and passed away. I was heartbroken and quit my job and stopped going to church of which I was a regular member and attendee. I didn't want to be constantly reminded of what had happened and needed a new direction. One day I saw an ad for a tour guide job in the Everglades. So I got in my car and drove out west on the Tamiami Trail, passed Krome Avenue and passed the Miccosukee casino ending up at Gator Park. As I walked to the entrance of the park, I met Les Blanchard standing by the door.
We would soon become close friends. I told Les I needed a job, he looked at me and said come back tomorrow and you will get the job. So I did just that.
The next day I met with Jon Weisberg. He was the owner of Gator Park. We sat for the interview out front. I was nervous, we talked, I answered questions and he hired me. I would work there for many years to come, learning so many things, and have a lot of great stories to tell.
This footage from 2005 was recorded for my Grandmother to see what I did for a living all day.
In 2005 I took my camcorder to work to film my day out in the Everglades. I had been working there since 1999 and would remain there until 2008. Before working in the Everglades, In 1998, I was working at a store called Lechters at International Mall. In that year my mother Berta Maria Gutierrez became ill and passed away. I was heartbroken and quit my job and stopped going to church of which I was a regular member and attendee. I didn't want to be constantly reminded of what had happened and needed a new direction. One day I saw an ad for a tour guide job in the Everglades. So I got in my car and drove out west on the Tamiami Trail, passed Krome Avenue and passed the Miccosukee casino ending up at Gator Park. As I walked to the entrance of the park, I met Les Blanchard standing by the door.
We would soon become close friends. I told Les I needed a job, he looked at me and said come back tomorrow and you will get the job. So I did just that.
The next day I met with Jon Weisberg. He was the owner of Gator Park. We sat for the interview out front. I was nervous, we talked, I answered questions and he hired me. I would work there for many years to come, learning so many things, and have a lot of great stories to tell.
This footage from 2005 was recorded for my Grandmother to see what I did for a living all day.
