David & Marian Cortesi
The State House
Wally Mersereau opines Columbia is a charming town. It's a smallish University town, the university being the U of SC. When we arrived we had time to check out the South Carolina statehouse (another missing from our collection).
A helpful and knowledgeable docent showed us around, explaining how the interior had recently been restored from years of neglect and ill-planned remodelling to fully reflect the architect's Victorian vision.
Which included some chandeliers right out of a "steampunk" fantasy.
Outside, we noted the stars set in the masonry to show where Union cannonballs damaged the walls of the still-unfinished building.
This helpful local decided to show us around.
He pointed out where the Union cannoneers had also knocked the foot off George Washington's walking-stick.
Zoo and Gardens
We spent Friday morning at the local zoo and botanical garden, on a woodland walk.
The animals were not impressed with us.
But we liked best a free-range lizard on a christmas bow.
Gamecock Arena
Later we walked to the arena.
This is a new and very nice facility, and it exceeds requirements for basketball games and such trivia, but the important things are not up to snuff, by which I mean, the food. Although they do have that sine qua non of good arena noshing, Dippin' Dots, the "chicken tenders" were not, the Philly Cheesesteak was grossly oversalted, and Wally would like it known that they didn't have either pickles or relish at the condiment bar.
And, they have pretty near the cheesiest mascot costume around.
Actually the mascot had a lot of good moves, but that floppy beak! And that skirt! OK, one more thing for Dawn Staley to fix.
