Aquarium of the Americas

On most Saturday mornings if you visit the aquarium, I will greet you in this manner as you walk through the Caribbean Tunnel.

I have been a volunteer diver with the aquarium since 1998. I took a short break after Hurricane Katrina visited New Orleans, because of logistical problems associated with working and commuting from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. I've recently returned after an 1.5 year hiatus I am happy to be back and retirement has enabled me to handle my volunteer duties with diligence.

There is great personal joy associated with the smiling faces of the visitors to the facility. My greatest satisfaction comes as I observe the joy on the faces of the children. Although there is a large Plexiglas window between the divers and the visitors, communication is easier than speaking via vocal expression.

There is a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction associated with this task that I hope to do this forever.

Aquarium of the Americas

These animals live in colonies on the reef and they generally face the current as it flows over their body.
These fish create a distinct sounding grunt when observed in their habitat. The odd looking system on the lower right of this photo image is a sound recording device provided for the benefit of visitors to the aquarium to listen to their distinct grunt.

Aquarium of the Americas

These little guys are not common to the Caribbean basin. They are common to the waters of the Pacific realm. A common name has been given to these animals such as clown fish. The stripes and funny appearance may provide some clue to that misnomer.

They are more appropriately called anemone fish. They live in a symbiotic relationship with the warm water anemone.

American of the Americas

This collection of delicate animals are very special within an eco-system. It's very important to realize that among other functions of these animals, they are excellent indicators of a well balanced and functional eco-system. If a reef system is void of this organisms, it is safe to say that something is outside of balance for that system. This is particularly true of Caribbean and Pacific bio-diversities.

American of the Americas

The aquarium has a collection of warm water predators on display. These animals are typical of predatory life on a Caribbean Reef. They include...bonnet head sharks,barracuda,and the common Caribbean reef shark.

America of the Americas

Some of the exhibits inside the aquarium are cold climate exhibits. This particular exhibit demonstrates life in this manner.
This exhibit is of a class of penguin known as the African Rock Hopper.

Aquarium of The Americas

The Gulf of Mexico is represented in the Aquarium of the Americas as a bio diverse demonstration of life. It's purpose is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a responsible industrial initiative in combination with natures ability to survive. Throughout the Gulf, there are oil and gas drilling platforms that are required for our energy consumption throughout the USA.

The Gulf Exhibit is a replication of a drilling platform. The aquarium has assembled a sampling of some of the life that divers and fisherman encounter when visiting the platforms of the Gulf of Mexico.

Some of the life divers and fisherman encounter are on display in this exhibit. The animal life includes...Jacks,turtles,redfish,sand tiger sharks,nurse sharks,stingrays,and tarpon.

The Travel Trailer

Many riders spend the weekend associated with this type affair. In order that one insures preparation properly facilitated, the travel trailer is the mode of choice. The travel trailer also provides one with the ability to rest in comfort during a long weekend.

Pre-Ride Socializing

This is a giant party for sure, however, there are no restrictions as to when you may begin socializing. These families come early and enjoy cookouts and other forms of acceptable social behavior prior to the ride.

By the time the ride finally gets under way, most riders are well primed as a result of the early arrivals.

Saddled and Ready

After the animals are delivered to the area for riding via horse trailer, they are saddled for riding and the rest is all fun.

It's Time For Line Up

After the warm up, riders are moved to an area for line up prior to the beginning of the trail ride.

Excellent Riding At A Young Age

This young lady has been demonstrating her skills with this animal. She is very good at controlling this animal.

Warm-Up Time In the Arena

As the riders arrive early, the arena is available for pre-ride warm up for those that have traveled some distance to be here. It also provides spectators with an opportunity to view some excellent equestrian skills before the ride begins.

Riders Begin Training Early

This is a family affair and young people are brought into the lifestyle very early. These young men are very happy to be here today.

Let's Mount The Wagons

This is a family affair and not all riders will choose to ride horses along the way. In order that we accommodate everyone, wagons are assembled for the journey. They come in all sizes and designs. My favorite is the wagon with the bales on hay stacked for the seating arrangements. After a long ride, this is the favored mode of transportation. Some variations are equipped with portable restroom facilities.

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.