Thursday, September 24

We were up early to get ready for a day of touring the capital city. During the morning, we visited the new nature center. The center focuses on the state's bountiful fish and wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Here, we learned that the state is home to 215 kinds of fish, which surprised us. When we think fish, we think catfish, trout, bass, and other common sport and food fish. I don't know how many of the 215 are edible.

We were also surprised to learn that at one time a type of colorful large parakeet lived in the state. But, of course, humans killed the birds to extinction. Surprising, too, is how widespread alligators are. They can be found in about half the state, in counties ranging from the southern most part to the central sections. I had always considered this creature to be confined to the swampy southern counties.

The center includes aquariums, and lots of hands-on exhibits, as well as a theater that shows an educational film several times a day. Outdoors, there is a walking trail, though we didn't attempt it today. The entrance to the center is on the second floor, requiring a hike up a ramp to an elevator. Pushing Mother in a wheelchair up that lengthy ramp was enough exercise for the morning.

We were back at camp around noon. After lunch, we went to see an exhibit that a brochure says "explores the state's history of crime and punishment." There are some disturbing and rather creepy items here...which is why there is a warning that the exhibit is not suitable for kids. Included are a death mask, made after the execution of a young man in his 20s. There is also a replica prison cell, and two electric chairs, as well as a great variety of guns, badges, prisoner- made weapons, handcuffs, and such.

Our state was haven to some pretty famous criminals, including Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone, Jesse James, and others, so there are HD televisions that feature narrative videos about these characters.

The horrors and improvements to the state's prison system are discussed in one video, and the progress of law enforcement is featured in another video.

Another exhibit at the same venu explained in detail the renovation of this very historic building.
There are several other rooms of exhibits, too, including one about politics in the state in the 20th Century, but we didn't have time to visit them. Hubbie left the building after we saw the crime and punishment exhibit to walk the four blocks to the truck, and bring it back to the front of the building to pick us up.

When we arrived at the building, we were stuck behind several school buses that were loading several hundred kids who had finished touring the exhibits (but not, I'm sure, the crime and punishment one). So we went in search of a parking space. The only one we could find was four blocks away, requiring me to push Mother in her wheelchair that distance. This was not a problem, except at points where there were trolley tracks. At those places, Mother got out of the chair and walked a few steps to the sidewalk.

Back at camp, we had a supper of hot meatloaf, with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and sliced tomatoes, along with whole wheat bread and butter. Then we played Skipbo again, and again, Sis, Mother, and Hubbie carried the night with wins, while Moi drug up the rear winning one game. Obviously, I'm no match for that bunch of card sharks!