More than 'Ground Zero'...

Lady Liberty


Just before driving the RV toward New York City, I mentioned to a woman that we planned to stop at 'Ground Zero' and she quickly said, 'But we are more than Ground Zero!.' Then she went on to list the normal attractions and told me they are still open and not to be missed... She had a good point.

We intended to make St. Patrick Cathedral our first stop but in the rush of the morning commute, we boarded the subway train that took us right to the World Trade Center aka: 'Ground Zero'.

Arriving at the station, the first thing I noticed was the sunlight. Before 9/11 we would have seen the underground level of the two Trade Center towers; now there is sunlight. Before taking the escalator up to the street, one woman told me, "It looked nothing like this. All of this is changed. I was supposed to meet someone here the morning of the 11th - but I was late and then, the news came about the plane... this looks so different now..."


I snapped this photo after we reached the street level at 'Ground Zero'.


Recalling Joseph's comments in the earlier "Andover, MA to New York" posting, about having been stuck in an elevator when he was four years old, we are especially proud of him for bravely going up 86 floors to the observation deck of the Empire State Building! I mean, after that ride, any other elevator is a breeze - right?

We had hoped to meet up with the "Funky Friars" who are helping lead a movement with youth in the poorer neighborhoods of New York. We traded phone calls but unfortunately were not able to meet with them. Click here to learn about their unique ministry.


We actually snapped this picture while driving in downtown New York on a Thursday evening. Before I got into the swing of things - you know - switching from the slow, Oklahoma Driver to the intense New York Driver - I did manage to be the reason at least one person honked. I felt like I had helped add to the NY night time traffic sound. It was thrilling.

I was told that the main office of 'Covenant House' is right near Times Square, NY. What a ministry! I remember singing for Covenant House in Anchorage, Alaska years ago - I am so glad that it continues to this day.

We rode the subway, took the Ferry over Hudson river, drove through a tunnel UNDER Hudson River, took a taxi ride and walked the streets. Yes there were homeless and yes we did have the honor of providing some food for a mother of four. It is always so much easier being on the giving side - it takes far more humility and grace to be on the receiving side.


Noon Mass at St Patrick Cathedral was a beautiful oasis of peace and grace amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.