HELLO FROM "PAUL BUNYON" COUNTRY
Because of a huge snowstorm in Minneapolis Sunday, I was delayed leaving Louisville 9 times! I finally got to Minneapolis about 2:00 am, missing my flight that night to Bemidji. I stayed all night in a hotel and tried to get a flight up the next day. The best I could do was a standby (useless in a storm situation.)
Since the plane was going to be delayed again, possibly two times, one of the priests from the Minneapolis Archdiocese, Father Mike Sullivan, volunteered to pick me up at the airport and take me the first two hours of the trip up to Bemidji.
Deacon Robb and his dog Jacques (below) met us half-way and drove me the second two hours of the trip from Minneapolis to Bemidji.
I got to the retreat several hours late and have been doing my best to make the old schedule work.
We met at a Hampton Inn in the lake town of Bemidji
Bemidji (/bəˈmɪdʒiː/ bə-MIJ-ee) is a city in Beltrami County (and county seat), in north west Minnesota, United States. With a population of 14,301 as of July 1, 2016, it is the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth, Minnesota. Bemidji houses many Native American services, including the Indian Health Service. The city is the central hub of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, White Earth Indian Reservation and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Bemidji lies on the south west shore of Lake Bemidji, the northernmost lake feeding the Mississippi River and as such is deemed "The First City On The Mississippi." Bemidji is also the self proclaimed "curling capital" of the U.S. and birth place of Paul Bunyan
Paul Bunyan is a giant lumberjack in American folklore. His exploits revolve around the tall tales of his superhuman labors, and he is customarily accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox. The character originated in the oral tradition of North American loggers, and was later popularized by freelance writer William B. Laughead (1882–1958) in a 1916 promotional pamphlet for the Red River Lumber Company. He has been the subject of various literary compositions, musical pieces, commercial works, and theatrical productions. His likeness is displayed in several statues across North America.
Because of a huge snowstorm in Minneapolis Sunday, I was delayed leaving Louisville 9 times! I finally got to Minneapolis about 2:00 am, missing my flight that night to Bemidji. I stayed all night in a hotel and tried to get a flight up the next day. The best I could do was a standby (useless in a storm situation.)
Since the plane was going to be delayed again, possibly two times, one of the priests from the Minneapolis Archdiocese, Father Mike Sullivan, volunteered to pick me up at the airport and take me the first two hours of the trip up to Bemidji.
Deacon Robb and his dog Jacques (below) met us half-way and drove me the second two hours of the trip from Minneapolis to Bemidji.
I got to the retreat several hours late and have been doing my best to make the old schedule work.
We met at a Hampton Inn in the lake town of Bemidji
The whole gang - priests, bishop and retired bishop.
THE BREAKFAST EATERS GROUP
DOING MY THING
COCKTAIL HOUR
CELEBRATING ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES
LAKE BEMIDJI, RIGHT BEHIND OUR HOTEL, BEGINNING TO THAW
LAKE BEMIDJI WITH "FISHING HOUSES" AND PICK-UP TRUCKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE IN MID-WINTER
Father Raul Perez-Cobo, from Columbia (South America) now a priest of the Crookston Diocese and a former student of mine at Saint Meinrad, reunite after several years for a nice cigar.
He has a laugh that is contagious. He has always made me happy when I see him.
Pray that the trip home will be easier than the trip up!
I am exhausted, but very happy with this experience!
I am rather fascinated by Paul Bunyan. It's rare that the genesis of a folk hero can be so clearly seen. I've heard him described as "fakelore", but hat hardly seems the case!
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