York Pa to Fredericksburg Va

On Wednesday 31st October, I left the Best Western at York and began the journey to Fredericksburg in Virginia. There were a number of Battlefields there that were on my itinerary.

Sandy had passed by and had moved north and east. The roads seemed clear. I knew there was snow in parts of Virginia, but not in the region to which I was heading.

The journey was fine. Traffic was ok, and there were no holdups. I took my time. At one point, the sky did look ominous, and I took a photo, but there was no tornado or thunderstorm. It must just have been a weather front moving across the sky.

En route, I stopped at the Shrine of St Elizabeth Seton, America's first saint. I spent some time in the museum, watched the movie, then went over to the Basilica to pay a visit. There was sign of sandy damage in the grounds.

On entering the Basilica, I first found the Blessed Sacrament altar, and knelt to pray. A Sister came over and pointed out to me that the Saint was not here, but in the altar on the other side of the Church.
I quietly said I was spending a few moments in front of the Blessed Sacrament. She said, "Whatever!" and wandered away. I did not see her again.

Passing in front of the main altar, I was surprised? astounded? to see pumpkins on the altar steps!!

I then drove into the nearby town and had a nice flavoured coffee at the welcoming St. Philomena's Catholic Book Shop and Holy Grounds Coffee Shop. Then I continued my journey to Virginia, reaching the hotel in Fredericksburg about 4.30pm.
I was quickly checked in and was soon settled in my room. In the evening I went out for something to eat. Regrettably I settled on the adjacent Kentucky Fried Chicken. Normally I would never eat in a place we also have at home. But I did here, and it was uninspiring.

Then back to the hotel, coffee and bed. Tomorrow the Battlefields awaited me.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=180
http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann_Seton

things you see on the road

Elizabeth Seaton Shrine, Emmitsburg

statue of the saint

Sandy damage

The Basilica

main altar

pumpkins on the altar  why?

St. Joseph's shrine

Agony in the Garden

St Philomena's Book and Coffee Shop

Main street Emmitsburg

ominous clouds

Irish or Italian????

Best Western Fredericksburg