Zia Rider Blog

Trying to look nice for going down to the River Walk again now that we are back in San Antonio.   We had to find a new use for Cece’s riding scarf that she uses to keep her neck from being rubbed raw by the collar of her motorcycle jacket in the wind.  Looks pretty good!

Here’s Why:

These are mosquito bites through Cece’s tshirt!  They seemed to be concentrated on her back.  When we went hiking through the woods at Goose Island St Park I was in front with the clip on and was still getting bothered by the swarms of skeeters but not getting bit.  Cece behind me had no bites anywhere but on her back where they were munching on her through her shirt.  I think the protective range of the clip on did not extend past the second person while we were moving and they really chowed down on her.

Remember at the beginning they did not touch her at all and were going after me like crazy.  We had tried every kind of repellent we could find and nothing really kept them off of me.  I’ve always been skeptical of the Off Clip-on’s claims on tv but decided, Well at this point we have nothing to loose and got one the next time in town. Cece did not want one because they were not bothering her much (yet).    Once I turned on the clip on they stopped biting me except around my ankles, maybe it doesn’t reach that far, and instead went for her.

I’m convinced they work now!  Seeing is believing.    Poor Cece!!

The Off Clip-on also worked great clipped inside the top of our tent to keep the pesky things out while going in and out and on the table while we were eating. I don’t know what chemical is in these things but after this it seems to be pretty potent stuff, maybe I wouldn’t use it around food again if just contact with the wrapper can kill large bugs like that.

 

Texas State Aquarium has several special encounters and backstage passes you could also do while there.   We had to do the Deckside Dolphin Encounter as a special day for Cece.  It ended up being a lot of fun and very educational about what all goes into keeping a dolphin program running.

Plus there is the added bonus of a professional photographer there with you and you can buy photos of your experience with the dolphins or get a CD copy of all of them like we did for the blog.

So if you are a dolphin fan and not against getting wet on a hot and muggy day I highly recommend it.

We got to go back stage to see more of their toys that are used and how they were developed and made, who knew pool noodles could be used for so many things? and meet some of the others involved who make the dolphin program happen.

We also got to see how how the dolphins food is prepared and weighed and calorie intake tracked and of course got to feed them!  It was interesting, different kinds of fish and other things like gelatin and ice are used to feed the dolphins.

 

I forgot the purpose of the gelatin, would be a pretty good treat.

They also liked to chew ice, who doesn’t?  They like the texture and it helps hydrate them.

We learned that a lot of the tricks you see were actually designed to help the trainers with their jobs.   Getting the dolphins comfortable with being touched is an important one, it allows the trainers to check their skin for new scratches, bites, and if they are getting sick.   Plus being up close to them we got to learn how to identify each one. D.J. had these strange skin patches and blotches on him that were supposed to be a birth mark.   Shadow had the fin with the hole in it and the other was Kai.

Checking blowholes.  Of course only the guy in the group is brave enough to be sneezed on and slimmed.  Not something I would have ever imagined happening to me.

The waving and upside down swimming helps them check the dolphin’s underside and flippers.

Another reason for tail waving is to allow the trainers to check for damage and new scratches there and so on.

Then we started learning some of the trainers hand signals for tricks, jumps and noises.  For one of these to tell the dolphin to make a cool noise we were told to make a fist and roll it back like the universal motorcycle signal.   Hey, I should be good at this one!!    So I put out my right fist and the trainer put out her left and everyone else followed suit…   Hey! Whoever thought of this signal was Not a motorcycle rider!

Of course we learned the tail walk motion and ones different jumps and had a great time.  If you like dolphins I highly recommend signing up for this.  I’m not a huge dolphin fanatic like Cece and I had fun too.

 

 

The Texas State Aquarium Wild Flight Show is pretty cool, be sure to check show times when you arrive so you don’t miss it.

The aquarium serves as a bird rehabilitation center and takes in injured birds of prey to heal them and release back into the wild.  The ones in the show are well trained and cool to watch.  For each one they’ll tell you what it is, a little bit about it and how or why the bird is in the program.  They also take volunteers from the audience to help out with the show which is very funny to watch.

Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

This one below is Cleo the Swainson’s Hawk who was brought in severely injured.  As a result part of one wing had to be amputated and sadly she can never be released back into the wild.

Continue reading Texas State Aquarium – Wild Flight Show

While you are at Texas State Aquarium be sure to check out the underwater dolphin viewing room!  This tank was amazing and gets you an excellent view of the dolphins up close.   We were fortunate to be standing on the side of the stands while the dolphin show was going on and at the end of the show all we had to do was walk around the corner and down some stairs to find this underwater room mostly deserted.

With good timing while everyone is at another show or right after the dolphin show you can have this room all to yourself for some outstanding pictures.

Shadow seems to be very curious about Cece.

This is a great place for families and small kids to watch in amazement as the dolphins glide through the water and play.  Many times they are as interested in you as you are of them.

Another don’t miss! If just for the pictures you will walk home with.

Continue reading Underwater Dolphins!

 

One of the star attractions in the Corpus Christi area is the Texas State Aqarium.   Its quite impressive with a number of activities for kids, including many touch pools, dolphin and bird shows, and a water play park that was being worked on while we were there.  You could easily spend the day here with the kids.

There are still plenty of interesting exhibits for adults and those interested in history its just a short walk to the USS Lexington museum.

Continue reading Texas State Aquarium