It was the summer of 1989. What might have otherwise been a whimsical summer break, became the kind of nightmare that you only read about happening to other people. That particular summer was unusually hot and humid. Summers in New York’s Hudson Valley were typically fairly mild. Most days, the temperature ranged from the 80’s to low 90’s but that summer was different. Several sweltering heatwaves oppressed us with days of temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s. Wanting to play outside but not wanting to roast, we sought out adventures in the nearby woods to find some comfort in the shade of the trees. However, it was in the shade of the trees that Gator lurked.