Captain Mariah has been such an awesome addition to the River Ventures team that we want everyone in our family to know all about her!! With a lovely smile, bubbly personality, and a passion for education this Captain and wildlife lover does not disappoint! She may be small... but she is mighty and has an awesome reputation on the water.
Mariah is a seasoned Captain and a worldly traveler. She calls Florida home, but she has lived in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. She was born in Rhode Island and is one of the most down-to-earth people you will ever meet! She graduated from High School in Sedro Wooley, WA, and then went to college in Portland, OR. Soon after she met her soul mate and now husband Kyle and they moved to Alaska for 7 years. She does love to get around but has been here in Florida for 6 years. Now her trips away are typically a couple of days away at Disney... where Mickey Mouse probably recognizes her as a regular!
She has many hobbies including scuba diving, hiking, photography, crafts, and her true passion... her family. Mariah is currently a foster mother for 3 wonderful children. Kyle and Mariah provide them with a home, everything they need, plenty of trips to Disney, and TONS OF LOVE! Her youngest is 10 months old and she was just given the BIG news that they will soon be officially adopting him. We think he's the luckiest baby in the world!
Captain Mariah has always been passionate about nature and conserving wildlife so when she went out on a manatee tour she knew it was her calling! Combining education with an amazing adventure with rare and incredible animals is unlike anything Mariah had ever experienced; so now she is here to stay! Her favorite part of the job is seeing the look on her customers' faces when their dreams of a manatee encounter come true. It fills her heart and inspires her daily to keep up the 'hard work’. I don't know, can you call swimming with manatees 'hard work'?? Either way, she's pretty darn good at it!
Her motto for a happy life? "Never frown – it causes wrinkles'! And you will never see a frown on this lovely lady's face. Every day here at River Ventures she takes our frowns and turns them upside down... there are smiles where ever this special lady goes!! Come visit us, and let Ms. Mariah show you why she never plans to retire... she has found a home here, and we are so lucky to have her!