DAY 31. July 2nd - Journey from Green Bay to Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Beyond. Today is an absolutely beautiful blue bird day, riding forty miles with fine companions - cycling doesn't get any better than this. We spent the morning passing one meticulously cared for dairy farm after another through the heart of the Wisconsin agricultural countryside.
On that site, the physical appearance of our Lord Jesus was profoundly transformed and the apostles desired nothing more than to remain in His presence in prayer. Saint Peter asked to set up three tents, one for Jesus, another for Moses and the third for Elijah, those three tents form the structure of the chapel where the sisters dedicate their lives to praying for the needs of our world. Some say that it's the prayer of the Church, offered in holy places such as this, that is the only force powerful enough to keep the world from spinning out of control.
This tender image of the Mother of God, gazing with the greatest love into the eyes of her Son, our Lord Jesus, is to be found within the monastery chapel.
Tom Wall is a joyful man of faith and author of a beautifully illustrated Catholic prayer book for kids entitled, "Gifts from Our Father" - It's so encouraging meeting people like Tom on my journey.
Fr. Rocky, of Relevant Radio, Tim Kneeland and myself visiting Tom's beautiful farm near the Carmelite Monastery.
Fr. Rocky and I in Manitowoc beside a World War II vintage submarine with the SS Badger in the background.
Joe and JoAnn Marchetti drove all the way from Chicago to see me off on my journey across Lake Michigan. They are dear friends and their's was the first wedding I celebrated a few short days after arriving in Aspen. Dear Joe and JoAnn, I can't tell you how much it means to me to see you today, what a great gift! (They also brought me a large bag of jelly beans.)
Entering the SS Badger built in 1952, the last coal fired steam ship left in service in the United States.
The Ugolini and Richter families from Traverse City traveled two hours to welcome me to Michigan! As I disembarked, there they were with warm smiles holding large signs. What a great gift and true sign of love - thank you!
After twenty miles of riding we stopped at the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Name of Jesus near the town of Denmark. We spent a few minutes in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the monastery chapel crafted out of native stone and modeled after the great Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in the Holy Land.