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After hauling a bunch of bags out of our hotel room and hastily packing the car, our last morning in Pittsburgh started out excellently with one heck of a brunch at a Pittsburgh country club where my dad (Joe Sr.) recently became a member. Believe it or not, homeless people like us can still dress up now and then.

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Sarah, Tom, and I all sampled the gazpacho soup, which we had never had before.  It was served cold with two bowls: a lower bowl of ice to maintain the temperature and an upper bowl for the soup.  It tasted like really fresh salsa.  This was followed by a round of delicious entrees and, soon after, goodbyes to Rita and Isabella (shown here) and my dad.

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Our last stop in Pittsburgh was the National Aviary, where we were treated to an excellent assortment of birds and habitats.  I was surprised that we were able to walk through several of the enclosures.  It was neat to be surrounded by so many birds on all sides of us.  One flew from one branch to another passing only inches away from Sarah’s face, leaving her utterly terrified and the rest of us laughing at her. Here are some shots that Tom captured while we were here.

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As we were finishing checking out the exhibits, a bird show was starting outside in the rose garden.  This consisted of one or more of a particular species of bird flying over the crowd’s heads followed some facts about the species or history of the particular bird.  Another fly by ended each presentation, and then on to the next set.  This routine included a parrot, an injured bald eagle, owls, and vultures.  Overall, the experience was very exciting and unique.

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My sister, Jamie, was just getting into Pittsburgh, so after a quick coffee break with her it was off for a three hour drive to Williamsport to visit my mom (Mary) and my stepdad WJ.  Once in Williamsport, we had Pittsburgh style steak salads (irony?) and some vino at the house, and went out for some Williamsport-cheap pitchers of beer.  

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If we had gone to the right bar during a special and ordered the right beer, this might have meant two dollar pitchers, but our schedule didn’t allow this, so we had to settle for moderately cheap pitchers at the Pub.  Tom and Sarah got to meet and/or get reacquainted with all of my friends from home and everyone involved had a really great time.  Tom was unsuccessful at becoming a Cardinal (a drinking game), while Sarah, Bern and I are all seasoned veterans.  Better luck next time, Tom.  If you see him, ask him if he’s a Cardinal.

-Joey




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