The Ride Begins: Through Historic, Scenic, Downtown, New Roads, La.

After much socializing in the assembly area, the ride is finally underway. These activities are normally delayed until mid-afternoon to guarantee maximum participation. Let's get this party started!

The Community of New Roads La.

This is the area of the town where most of the local riders live. The community of New Roads is a rural community that is primarily supported by farming.

The First Break: The Cane Fields

By the time we arrive to this area, everyone was in great need of relief. The relief was required of the animals as well as the riders. It's a cane field and no one is looking, hopefully.

Leaving the Cane Fields: The First Break Along The Route

We stayed in the area of the cane fields for thirty minutes as well. It gave the horses an opportunity to rest and the riders took advantage of a well needed rest room break after a bit of liquid consumption. Can you imagine where the restrooms are located. One guess, it's all green and heavily vegetated.

The Homes Along The River In Pointe Coupee Parish

As we traveled along the route of the trail ride, we noticed the homes begin to increase in value as we moved away from the origin of the route. The property is beautiful along the river and not as densely populated.

Riders On The Levee of The Mississippi River

Occaisionally, it's a good practice to take the horses away from the hard surfaced roads. In order to accomodate this, the riders moved to the levee of the Mississippi River for the final leg of the journey to the bar.

The Final Stop On The Ride

From begining to end, we traveled a ten mile loop. Our final stop was at a bar in the cane fields next to the Mississippi River in New Roads, La. We were here for thirty minutes, then we returned in the reverse order of our travel.

Boots, Buckles and Hats

No trail ride is complete unless properly outfitted. The vendors follow these events in support of the needs of the riders. It's also a very lucrative business for the entrepreneural prospects of the vendors.

DJ Breadman

No event of this type would represent success within our culture without a generous supply of our music. DJ Breadman travels throughout Acadiana in support of events such as trail rides. I've also witnessed his appearance in Soileau, La. during the Mardi Gras.

He brings a complete selection of Zydeco music to these events. His sound truck can be heard a quarter mile away as we love the music loud.

If you notice the type vehicle his sound machine travels in, you can also appreciate his name, "DJ Breadman".

The Louisiana Trail Ride

The Louisiana Trailride is a Creole tradition in southern Louisiana. Riders from all over the state unite in support of this large social gathering.

This event occurred in Pointe Coupee Parish, a region west of Baton Rouge, La. The event proceeded along the west bank of the Mississippi River in the town of New Roads, La. on 10/03/2009.

The trail ride consists of families joining for cookouts, dancing, and promotion of an event that is basic to Louisian Creole Culture.