New York, Rhode Island, Bridgeport, Andover

We were amazed at how fast we reached New York - or at least it seemed that way. Over 1500 miles in three days. Looking to our right we could see the New York City skyline and even the Statue of Liberty. Then we reached the New Jersey Turnpike and saw we might be stuck for a long time. Nine lanes of traffic that the toll gate person told us would be down to a single lane to at one point. We still had some miles to go before reaching St Anne in Bridgeport, Conn. and there was a chance at this stand still point that we might not make it in time for the opening mass.

So... Mary suggested praying a rosary. Here is what the road looked like as we began.... "In the name of the Father..."


To better appreciate what we experienced, just imagine you are in one of these other cars. Truck horns sounding, cars cutting in front of each other, cars not wanting to let anyone else into their lanes... and here we come in a huge 39 foot RV towing a car... we wondered how we would ever get in to that single lane. By the last amen of the Rosary, people seemed less stressed, and we could hardly believe how space opened up before us as very easily we were able to shift over to the single lane on the far left of the turnpike. We made it to St Anne's with almost an hour to spare.


After parking at St Anne's in Bridgeport, Conn., we walked a few blocks to the water and snapped this picture. The kids are amazing and for the most part have very good attitudes about the near-constant traveling.



Stopped to visit with friends in Rhode Island who treated us to a tour of the Vanderbilt Summer 'cottage' Wow. I would rather live in a RV! It was great to see it and get a sense of the burden that can go along with excessive wealth. No thank you. I was told it is over 100,300 square feet - and this was just their summer cottage!

What better way to end this posting than by asking: "What are you working for?"

To provide for my family.

So were the Vanderbilts.

I guess it comes down to prayer and listening and asking for wisdom and learning to live with less.
Where did I hear this simple phrase? It went something like this:

Your joy of living increases as you depend less on things to bring you joy.

If I said it wrong - you reword it until it sounds right to you.
You get the point.