ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A friend of ours heard about our "journey of faith, fisher, forests, family, friends and fun" and suggested we set up a Blog. A what? So here we are....on the road again with Bocahontas and Buba. Blessed with the freedom of time, we were inspired by two of our favorite causes. So we organized a road trip to Alaska which should not only be fun but also an opportunity to spread the good word about The Fisher Houses , The Orthodox Christian Mission Center/Programs and some of our National Parks. We are participating in a 2 week Mission in Tyonek, Alaska with the OCMC group in June. Feel free to check out the planned trip on the calendar link. Caribou Cabins? Blue Moose? Tundra Lodge? and our soon to be "favorite" Motel 6. Any and all suggestions, prayers and good karma are welcome and very much appreciated....poor Buba, in a car with Pam for 5 months. Lions, and tigers and bears oh my! Toggle down to the calendar and see where we are over the next months. We ask for your prayers.

Grab yourself a cold one and come along for the ride. Enjoy and laugh along with us viewing the daily blogs which are archived on the left side of this page in chronological order. We started April 22- Happy Trails!

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

The Fisher House

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The Fisher House Foundation, through the kindness of donations received, provides "comfort homes" that are built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable America's military families to be together during extended treatment for serious illness or lengthy physical sessions....very much like the Ronald McDonald homes for families of children in a similar situation. We were first introduced to Fisher House while visiting Brooke Army Medical Center (Burn Center) in San Antonio. We were so moved by the dedication and love of the staff and volunteers that we returned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Currently there are 44 Fisher Houses (more in the works) and our goal is to visit all of them and spread the good word to family and friends. Please feel free to peruse their website for a detailed explanation about the Fisher House Foundation and programs. Perhaps you will be inspired by the work this group does on behalf of our Armed Forces.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official foreign mission agency of all the Orthodox Jurisdictions (i.e. Greek, Russian, Serb etc.) The goal of the OCMC is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ where it presently does not exist and to establish vibrant Orthodox Eucharistic Communities throughout the world. We have had the privilege and pleasure to admire the work of this organization (headquarters located in St. Augustine, Florida) for years and now that we are retired we have the blessing to participate. We are on the road to Alaska to join a Mission Team in Tyonek for a couple weeks to do some construction and teaching in an Athabascan Indian Village. "If I had a hammer"...you'll be happy to know I deep sixed the acrylic nails in anticipation of caulking and painting. :) Please take a peek at the OCMC web site for details on all of the programs they are involved with throughout the world. And do stop in to see Father Martin and his kind and loving staff when you are in St. Augustine! We will also be visiting family, friends and Orthodox Churches while on the road to share the marvelous work of the OCMC.

National Parks

Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system – the first of its kind in the world –have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect, and share, the legacies of this land.


People from all around the world visit national parks to experience America's story, marvel at the natural wonders, and have fun. Places like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so too are the hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems like Rosie the Riveter in California, Boston Harbor Islands in Massachusetts, and Russell Cave in Alabama.


The American system of national parks was the first of its kind in the world, and provides a living model for other nations wishing to establish and manage their own protected areas. The park service actively consults with these Nations, sharing what we've learned, and gaining knowledge from the experience of others.


Beyond national parks, the National Park Service helps communities across America preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities. Grants and assistance are offered to register, record and save historic places; create community parks and local recreation facilities; conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways.


We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to explore the ways we can help you preserve what’s important in your hometown.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Day 95 BANFF NATIONAL PARK/CANADA

This is the birthplace of Canada's national park system, created around the warm mineral springs near Banff townsite. The Icefields Parkway drive from Jasper was smooth and awesome. This spectacular drive along the backbone of the continent passes through remote, high-altitude terrain. Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Summit, Peyto Lake Viewpoint, Mistaya Canyon and Saskatchewan Veiwpoint and the Columbia Icefield were all magnificent to experience. The bicycle riders on the parkway were amazing...up and down and around and around. Impressive peddlers. We loved seeing Lake Louise in the summer as our last visit was to ski during Christmas holiday a few years back. This view is known the world over and you can see why. Yes it was crowded and still spectacular.

Pleep loves the icefield road that runs through the park. Hey how come the glacier is still there with all this Glorebal warming? Spotting wild
life so far he's the only wild life we see...

The valet says "Aren't you the Collins from Boca? I remember your son Nick skiing here a few years back. " They must have dismissed the Collins Not
Allowed edict ey? Pleep promises he is no trouble.

Of course he wants to check in at the Pres Club....hoping they didn't talk
to the Jasper Lodge President's Club....or the spa staff for that matter. The incident with the waxing lady is still causing him to shriek once in a while.

Pleep loves the kilts and the pipes even though his tail kept getting in the
way. He was small enough to get underneath the pipers as they marched through. He wouldn't confirm what was going on under the kilts but he said these guys must have been real Scotsmen.

Please please I want to canoe...on Lake Louise. I promise not to jump out of the canoe. It just looks so lovely and I want to see if they have any relatives of the Loch Ness Monster here.

Nothing like a sun tan to dry out that fur....I didn't mean to tip over the canoe. Do you think I could get someone to bring us a nice cold beer to sip whilst we are laying about?

Pleep decides he has to try a new hotel...He wants to try his hand at French. Pleep's French is not too good and when they make fun of his accent he responds with a bit of a monkey butt. The Chateau does not want him hanging around...another Collins Do Not Allow Edict is issued. Well back to the Fairmont. This banister is way better than the Chateaus...



Mounties at last!!!! Do you think he will notice if I hop on the back???

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I should have been born in the 60's....they won't be able to find me in here.

Oh no....Pleep spots a wine display and is off and running. Bocahontas loves wine and this is definitely more fun than a barrel of monkey's! Can I help you with a tasting glass?

Radisson here we come....that monkey keeps getting us kicked out by the not so understanding Canadians....he is sleeping in the car tonight!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 5:56 AM