Hi, this is Mama. I have been asked to give details of the complications we faced during our trip to camp :~).
We left home around noon and encountered heavy traffic around NYC, as expected. Just north of the city, we were speeding along when the RPMs revved up and Matt and I thought, "Hmmmm...what's this?" No acceleration, but the engine was fine and temperature gauge was fine. I should say here that every step of this crazy trip was watched over by our very gracious God--the first of these graces was that we were just at an exit and zipped over. There was an area to get off the road with a little tree to sit under for shade. There was smoke coming from the engine so I quickly ran everyone away from the van. The smoke ended up being transmission fluid burning off--no fire.
I called AAA for a tow truck, which would come from Brewster, NY after about 1.5 hours. The kids and I sat on a quilt under the tree and played Wheel of Fortune on Theo's sketch pad. We had snacks and drinks, so no big deal. A few good Samaritans stopped to ask if we needed help, and 2 state troopers came by to check on us also.
Tow truck arrived and loaded up Agnes (that's our van's name--"Lamb of God"--she's gray, you know).
Who knew you couldn't get a cab or a rental car on a Saturday afternoon in New York? The tow truck driver gave us a ride to the metro train station in Brewster where we waited about 45 minutes for the train to take us to White Plains. The train was fun, a first for us.
At the train station, we caught a cab (another first for most of us) to the airport where we would try to get a rental vehicle big enough for 6. Why no, they didn't have that, but would be happy to rent us a Ford Explorer for $1000/week!!! (Thank you, but we'll try another rental company). Second company, same story. Matt had called Enterprise earlier and they only had a sedan available, but he thought we should at least try them again. Second big grace: "Yes, Sir, we just had a van returned, AND we will give it to you at the price quoted for the sedan." Off we go, to the parking lot and head back north to get the girls' luggage from Agnes so we can continue on.
Which we did. We unloaded the luggage into the new van and drove on to Brattleboro, NH, arriving at 12:45 am. A six hour trip had turned into a twelve hour adventure. We were exhausted and fell into our beds, sad that there would be no hotel pool swimming, and grateful to be safe.
Sunday morning we had breakfast and headed out for the last hour of our trip to the retreat center. Unfortunately, the roads were very winding and Sarah's carsickness hit. After a short stop to clean up and refresh along side the road, we continued on and found the camp. It was very secluded, and very beautiful!
I=We were welcomed to camp by Sister Katherine, and met the doctor so I could detail the girls' meds. and plans. Another grace here: the doctor was at camp with her daughter who also has asthma, so she was very familiar with all the meds. and protocol. I was relieved to hear this good news!
We helped the girls find their cabin and make their beds, then it was time for Mass in the beautiful chapel in the woods, overlooking the lake. I have not mentioned that it was very hot that weekend. Actually over 90* in the north woods, which is unusual. I left Mass to sit outside because I was getting too hot. Shortly thereafter, Matt comes out, leading Amy, who was looking very pale. She had fainted dead out in Mass. But was fine :) She and I spent the rest of Mass outside, where she recovered and was just fine :)
After Mass we said our goodbyes, and Matt, Theo, Marty and I headed south. We would encounter hours of 5-mile-an-hour traffic and heavy rain, arriving home at 1 am, exhausted again. (Monday we learned that the transmission was gone in the van, and we would keep the rental until Wed., the 25th when Matt and I drove up yet again to get it).
Hi there, Now it is Amy talking, Morning Star Camp was so much FUN, and we really enjoyed it!
Here are some pic's and the days schedule: first you wake up @ 7:15, then there's breakfast.
Then Catechism, we read a book in our group. Our group was group "D" that was "13" year olds. Then Mass, after that was Art. Our group did quilling, that was a lot of fun :) Then it was poole sticks. Lunch was next :) Then it was "Water Front", durning Water Front you could: Swim, kayak, go canoeing, and there was a paddle boat you could ride :) After Water Front there was free time.Then rosary, then it was dinner. After dinner was camp fire :) And that was the schedule at camp :)
Sarah and I stayed in the "Saint Isaac Jogues"cabin,
with our friends, Mary Fochi and Patty Higgins :)
Mary slept above Sarah and Patty slept above me in bunks.
This is the view from the door of our cabin :)
Here are some picture inside the "Mess Hall".
Here the girls are all lined up for lunch :)
Right behind the lunch line is the "Camp Concession Stand".
Tuesday Morning.
Pictures of us having fun at camp with our Friends :)
There names are Mary and Hannah.
Patty and Sarah back from swimming :)
We swam out to the dock. It was about 100 yd from the land :)
Here all the girls went on a hike :)
At dinner time it started to get really cold :)
So we wore our socks with our flip-flpos :)
Cool isn't it????? :)
Here are the Sisters singing a song to all the girls :)
It was very pretty :)
One day during free time Mary, Sarah and I wanted to play a game of pool for a quarter a ball.
(There were pool tables, a ping pong table, foos ball,
and air hockey to play with during free if you wanted to).
So we did :)
And guess who won???
Amy :)
Champion!!!
Champion!!!
Amy- $1.75
Mary- 0.75
Sarah- 0.25
It was fake money, but they each bought me something at the camp store :)
On Friday afternoon, during free time,
Mary told Sarah, Patty and I about this cool big rock by the Chapel.
Here are some pic's of all 4 of us on it :)
We had a great week at Morning Star camp :)
It was very fun and all the girls were very nice.
And want to go again next year!
But are glad to be back home :)
