Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 3: Irondale; De Soto Caverns (Morning)

I'm staying in the Irondale area today. Mass and Rosary in the morning, then a visit to De Soto Caverns and Talladega National Forest. I'll be back in Irondale in time for a light dinner before attending a taping of Crossing the Threshold of Hope, hosted by Fr. Mitch Pacwa. We're reading Vita Consecrata.

Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 2: Cincinnati to Irondale (Evening)

During my drive from Cincinnati to Irondale (photos), I made two noteworthy stops:  in Nashville, the Dominican sisters (photos); in Hanceville, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament (photos pending).

The internet connection at the Holiday Inn Express in Irondale leaves much to be desired.  It is not very strong and not very reliable.  Any nearby internet cafés?

Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 2: Cincinnati to Irondale (Morning)

Today I am driving from Cincinnati, OH to Irondale, AL.

I'll be stopping in Nashville, TN, to drop off a couple of my books with the Dominican Sisters there (and have lunch too). Their apostolate includes catechesis, so I figured it would be a nice gesture to offer them a couple complimentary copies, and they sounded delighted (on the phone).

I'm also stopping in Hanceville, AL, at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, for Evening Prayer (Vespers) of the Divine Office. I have my Christian Prayer book with me. Another post tonight will showcase photos from the day.

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Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 1: Allentown to Cincinnati (Evening)

I made the 600 mile drive in 10 hours (11am to 9pm) with only two stops:  one at the West Virginia Welcome Center, and the other at exit 178 on I-70 in Ohio to have dinner at a Cracker Barrel and fill up my gas tank.

You can see photos from the drive here, and my attempt at photos of fireworks in Cincinnati here.

Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 1: Allentown to Cincinnati (Morning)

Today I am driving from Allentown, PA to Cincinnati, OH.  Ordinarily, I would take the PA Turnpike, but I've driven that way numerous times recently.  So instead, I'm opting for a longer drive with newer scenery and fewer tolls, dipping south into Maryland and West Virginia.  I'll stop at a few scenic overlooks.  Another post tonight will showcase my photos.

Here is a "Driver's Prayer" I found from the Sacred Heart Auto League:

God our Father,
you led Abraham from his home
and guarded him in all of his travels.
Be with us now as we travel
and guard us every mile of our journey.
Help us to be attentive, cautious,
and concerned about our fellow travelers.
Make our highways safe
and keep us from all danger.

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
guide us to our destination
and help us to drive prayerfully and carefully.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Amen.

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Pilgrimage-Vacation Day 0: Allentown

Okay, so I'm not really on pilgrimage yet, just vacation.  I'm driving to Allentown, PA this morning to be with my parents and some of my family for the 4th of July weekend.  But tomorrow I'm beginning my pilgrimage, driving about 9-10 hours to Cincinnati, OH.

I'll be keeping a photo-log (plog?) of my pilgrimage, probably through publicly-shared Facebook photo albums, unless I decide to use Picasa or something like that.

What am I leaving behind?  A house that now has working air conditioning (which it will need for the next several days... it's supposed to hit 90 today and 97 tomorrow!), a fish aptly named Poisson, and a very comfortable bed.  Upon my return, hopefully the A/C will still be working (and the temperature will be lower), the fish will still be alive (I've given it one of those multi-day food thingies), my bed will not have up-and-left, and my wife will be en route from Toronto.

Happy 4th of July!

Summer Pilgrimage

From July 4 through July 10, I will be on pilgrimage!  I'll be going from Allentown (where my parents live), through Cincinnati and Nashville, to Birmingham (to visit EWTN), then back home through Charlotte (to visit another blogger and his Liturgy & Lager group).

• Sunday - Driving to Cincinnati
• Monday
• Hopefully an in-studio guest on the Son Rise Morning Show
• Driving to Nashville for a brief visit to the Dominican Sisters there
• Driving to Hanceville in time for the Divine Office that evening
• Driving to Irondale to my hotel
• Tuesday
• Divine Office, Mass, and Rosary in the morning
• Day trip to Desoto Caverns and places in Birmingham
• Back at Irondale for a studio tour, Divine Office, dinner, and Threshold of Hope
• Wednesday
• Divine Office, Mass, and Rosary in the morning
• Day trip to the Cullman area (Ave Maria Grotto, Bankhead Forest, Rickwood Caverns)
• Back at Irondale for dinner and EWTN Live
• Thursday
• Divine Office, Mass, and Rosary in the morning
• Day trip to the Birmingham area (museums, churches, etc.)
• Back at Irondale for Divine Office, dinner, and Life on the Rock
• Friday
• Driving to Hanceville in time for Mass and Rosary
• Driving to Charlotte for Liturgy & Lager
• Saturday - Driving home