On the Road Again (finally)

This rainbow seemed to offer a blessing as I hit the road on the evening of July 2nd. I wasn't even out of Pima County yet :D

JULY 2-5, 2014 - I was not able to get everything done I needed to before going to the Provincial Chapter, so after a couple of days of fun in the Bay Area, I had to return to Tucson to finish sorting and packing my things and to wrap up a few loose ends. My departure time kept getting pushed back from July 1, to noon on July 2, to 3 pm on July 2, to 4 pm on July 2nd.  I needed to hit the road - psychologically I needed to finally be finished in Tucson.  2 months is a long time to say goodbye and I needed to make a clean break.  But I slao had a pretty clear practical deadline as well. Iwas scheduled to celebrate the 4:30 PM Mass at St. Ignatius on Saturday July 5 and Mobile is a solid 3 day drive from Tucson. 

I finally pulled out of Tucson at about 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening.  El Paso would be my first stop.  Then on to San ANtonio.  To New Orleans the 3rd Day and on into Mpbile on Saturday morning.  All went smoothly and Imade those stopsaccording to plan.  I arrived so late into El Paso on the first night that I was not able to get together with anyone. Ichecked into a hotel and got a good night's sleep in preparation for the next few days of travel.  I was able to get together with the family of  Megan Winfrey for dinner on Thursday night in San Antonio.  That was a welcome break from te road.  The trip to New Orleans was relatively easy despite a major traffic delay due to an accident ahead of me on I-10 between San Antonio and Houston.  I made a couple of stops along the way, but was really anxious to get this road trip finished.  On Friday night Iventured into the French Quarter for the evening to watch the fireworks over the River.  It was late and I was tired and the French Quarter felt way too crowded and unsafe soIcalled it a night.  I allowed myself to sleep in a little on Saturday morning as Ihad only a 2 hour drive to Mobile.  I arrived at St. Ignatius around 1:30 pm on Saturday to find out that not only was I scheduled to celebrate Mass at 4:30, but I was also to hear confessions at 3:30.  I was able to get many of my things unpacked in the interim.  Ihave arrived.  Let the Sabbatical truly begin.