What a wonderful day today was. We had planned a recovery day into the schedule and today was the day. Fortunately, we have been staying with Fr. Mark Hoffman, the Pastor of both St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Elizabeth in Corry, PA. We’re staying at the St. Elizabeth rectory but St. Thomas’ church is within a mile. Last night Fr. Mark prepared a dinner of linguine, homemade pizza,, and shish kabob. These are not my usual diet but they were excellent. I’m sold. No more hamburgers for me.
Today, Carlin and I had a chance to sleep in a little and recover. Then we headed out to the local Walmart for resupply. If Lewis and Clark would have had Walmarts they never would have come home. I know there’s debate, controversy and contention about Walmarts. But for us, for today, it worked out well. We were able to get some bike maintenance equipment, some treats for the dogs, food, clothing, art work, lobster, math books, .... I need another trailer to haul it all home. I’m just kidding. Carlin the boss restrained me. We cleaned the car and the Little Guy. He draws attention wherever we go and to answer a frequent question, yes, we’ll have a guided tour of the Little Guy when we return to Marist. Speaking of questions, that black and white picture of the young fellow with his bike on this blog is not me as a 10 year old. It is a picture of me the week before I started teaching at Marist.
The town that we’ve been in these last two nights has not been treated well economically. Lots of closed factories. When we were driving out this morning to the Walmart I saw little girl with apparently her big brother with his little backpack riding their bikes through downtown Corry past one closed store after another. They were headed out on their 4th of July adventure. I wondered where their adventure in life would lead them. For now, they were on their bikes, they appeared to be enjoying the holiday and off they went on a warm summer day like kids anywhere. Fr. Mark told us that due to dwindling enrollment and finances, this Catholic school would now be closed. Throughout the day, Fr. and I spent hours speaking of Catholic education, our common faith, the hopes and fears many of us have for the young of this generation.
Later, Fr. gave a very compelling homily at the Saturday vigil mass. The 4th of July, America, Catholicism, Religion, our freedoms, our love of this country and all that the great people of this country have made it into. It was all very moving given my trek these last 6 days as I’ve seen a part of America I’ve never seen before up close and personal.
The great people I’ve met this week. It’s moving and humbling that one after another person,many of whom never have met me before, act as if we’ve been friends for life.
The day ended with Fr. insisting on preparing us another dinner. It was great. He reminds me of Br. Anthony’s passion for cooking so many years ago.
It’s time to wrap it up. Time to get back to work tomorrow. I want to head out early to avoid traffic as I head SW to Shenango River Lake south of Greenville, Pa.
Some stats: Mileage: Sunday, 82.1; Monday, 72.1; Tuesday, 69.7; Wednesday, 78.9; Thursday, 80.1; Friday, 90.1. Total Mileage to date: 473 or 47.1% of total. Total climb: 14,406/22,229 or 64.8% of total.
See you tomorrow.
Today, Carlin and I had a chance to sleep in a little and recover. Then we headed out to the local Walmart for resupply. If Lewis and Clark would have had Walmarts they never would have come home. I know there’s debate, controversy and contention about Walmarts. But for us, for today, it worked out well. We were able to get some bike maintenance equipment, some treats for the dogs, food, clothing, art work, lobster, math books, .... I need another trailer to haul it all home. I’m just kidding. Carlin the boss restrained me. We cleaned the car and the Little Guy. He draws attention wherever we go and to answer a frequent question, yes, we’ll have a guided tour of the Little Guy when we return to Marist. Speaking of questions, that black and white picture of the young fellow with his bike on this blog is not me as a 10 year old. It is a picture of me the week before I started teaching at Marist.
The town that we’ve been in these last two nights has not been treated well economically. Lots of closed factories. When we were driving out this morning to the Walmart I saw little girl with apparently her big brother with his little backpack riding their bikes through downtown Corry past one closed store after another. They were headed out on their 4th of July adventure. I wondered where their adventure in life would lead them. For now, they were on their bikes, they appeared to be enjoying the holiday and off they went on a warm summer day like kids anywhere. Fr. Mark told us that due to dwindling enrollment and finances, this Catholic school would now be closed. Throughout the day, Fr. and I spent hours speaking of Catholic education, our common faith, the hopes and fears many of us have for the young of this generation.
Later, Fr. gave a very compelling homily at the Saturday vigil mass. The 4th of July, America, Catholicism, Religion, our freedoms, our love of this country and all that the great people of this country have made it into. It was all very moving given my trek these last 6 days as I’ve seen a part of America I’ve never seen before up close and personal.
The great people I’ve met this week. It’s moving and humbling that one after another person,many of whom never have met me before, act as if we’ve been friends for life.
The day ended with Fr. insisting on preparing us another dinner. It was great. He reminds me of Br. Anthony’s passion for cooking so many years ago.
It’s time to wrap it up. Time to get back to work tomorrow. I want to head out early to avoid traffic as I head SW to Shenango River Lake south of Greenville, Pa.
Some stats: Mileage: Sunday, 82.1; Monday, 72.1; Tuesday, 69.7; Wednesday, 78.9; Thursday, 80.1; Friday, 90.1. Total Mileage to date: 473 or 47.1% of total. Total climb: 14,406/22,229 or 64.8% of total.
See you tomorrow.
