Road Trip Day 4 - happy birthday Steve

Started off the morning with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday for Steve who turned 15 today. After we were all clean for the morning and had our breakfast, Jordan gave Steve his present (a Green Day CD). Then we headed off to downtown. First we drove around downtown not once but twice, trying to figure out the parking dynamics of a new place. We drove by the Brand Spankin' New "Welcome Center" situated right on River Road. Found some free parking by the tracks. The ladies at the welcome center were very nice. We walked from there over to the State Capitol, which was not in session so we got to see all the chambers. We also took the elevator up to the observation deck on the 27th floor. We saw a couple of very strange bugs up there. John things one might be a palmetto bug. After that we walked back to our car and noticed an odd thing. Probably not odd to Mardi Gras savvy folks, but new to me. I saw LOTS of beads that appeared to have been thrown up into tree branches.

Next we parked at 7th and Laurel and walked to the City Deli, a little kosher luncheon place. The kids weren't hungry but I wanted to try something. I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was pretty good! We then walked about 4 blocks to St. Joseph Cathedral. We went in and looked at the inside. Apparently they have confession on Mondays at lunchtime. Oh well. We were quiet but I did take a couple of pictures. The inside of the church reminded me of my own St. James in a way. By the time we walked the 4 blocks back to the car we were HOT. It was about 95 degrees and very humid. I drove by the Capitol Lake, parked and got out to take some bird pictures. The kids sat in the car with the A/C on!!

We got back to the hotel around 1 and played, you guessed it, BURNOUT REVENGE! Although first I finished my book. Jordan and I drove around to find the pizza place Steve wanted to go to for his birthday dinner, and we also stopped at Winn Dixie to pick up a birthday cookie for his "cake".

John finally got to the hotel around 4:30 or 5. We went to pizza. I tried this appetizer with sliced tomatoes layered with mozarella and basil covered with a vinigrette. It was pretty good. The pizza was good.

Back to the hotel for more BURNOUT REVENGE!! Steve enjoyed all his birthday presents. We left one at home so John wouldn't have to bring it on the plane. It was an Effects Board for his guitar. Can't wait to hear it!

BIRDS: Today I saw a Great Egret, a Snowy Egret, and I think a Neotropical Cormorant. Got photos of all three, so I will double check on the cormorant when I get back home. The other two were pretty obvious.