New York

Location: Central Park and Cambridge
When: Thanksgiving + Early December
Miles traveled: 420 mi
Price of gas: $3.19 to 3.49
Camping style: Airbnb
High point: Talking with people at New Skete
Low point: Not sleeping well
One thing learned: If everything of interest requires the same low amount of effort to pursue, then everything seems worth pursuing.  But if all interests vary in required effort, it becomes easier to say no to shiny distractions, and yes to what is more important. (If I can use my phone to look up the answer to each of my questions, then every question appears worth my time to find the answer.)

at Panera

arcade detail

    Having already visited Niagara Falls and Times Square earlier in my life, I wanted to go somewhere else for this trip.  I chose Central Park and New Skete Monastery.  I visited Central Park after Thanksgiving, as I drove north to Connecticut.  Specifically, I went to see Strawberry Fields' "Imagine" mosaic.  Though, the mosaic seems to have become more of an iconic location to visit and photograph, and less of a reminder/prayer for peace in our homes.  Nearby at Bethesda Terrace's arcade, I enjoyed observing the paintings and sculptured architecture.  Areas where the paint has deteriorated, reveals the smooth stone walls of the arcade.  Later, I saw design similarities or coincidence between the arcade's paintings and decorations at a Panera Bread.

New Skete Monastery

    Visiting New Skete Monastery in December was an interesting informal retreat. They have lodging for visitors, but the nun in charge of the guest house was recovering from knee surgery, so I stayed at a nearby town.  At vespers, I was struck by the majestic harmony of the monks and nuns singing.  Here was a group of less than 10 people, singing almost 6 part harmony loud enough to fill the church.  It reminded me of two other places I've encountered similar music, Holy Ghost Church in Philadelphia, PA and Dormition Grotto at Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, PA.  Maybe I need to visit more religious communities to hear great a cappella music.

     The nuns of New Skete make delicious cheese cake and the monks breed German Shepherds.  I did not have the opportunity to meet any of their dogs, but I enjoyed two slices of raspberry cheesecake with a surprisingly thin crust!  I spent an afternoon contemplating their icons and walking along one of their many mountain trails.  One of the iconographers of the chapel used highlights in an unique way.  Instead of accenting where light falls on the clothing, the writer highlighted every fold and line in the clothing.  I found it very striking, but eventually decided I like the traditional approach better.

    New York also provided the first significant snow fall of my trip.  Fast falling flakes made driving difficult Saturday evening and Sunday.  I am glad to be headed south to Delaware and 40 degree temperatures.

Pentecost (traditional highlights)

The Twelve Apostles (unique highlights)