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 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.
YOU KNOW YOU ARE FROM WISCONSIN WHEN:
You know what cow tipping is & how to celebrate it.
You learned to drive a tractor before the training wheels were off your bike.
You can actually pronounce Oconomowoc.
Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a cow next to your blue spruce.
You design your Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.
Your sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightie.
You think the start of deer season is a national holiday.
I could go on but I think you are getting the picture.
My darling Mom was born and raised in Greenbay, yep on a farm (well she technically was born in Chicago as my Grandmother went there to have her babies). As kids, my sisters and I spent our summers on "the farm". Nothing but fond memories and the smell of a dairy barn puts a big smile on my kisser. Tomorrow we will take a ride over to "the farm". Door County is Wisconsin's Cherryland. Buba and Pleep are eating them by the sack full. Deeeeeeeeelicious!
Must go to the American Folklore Theater while we are here- Cheeseheads the Musical (a modern day dairytale)or Sunset and Smores (every ones favorite marshmallow delights) or Muskie Love (angling for love and laughs). Dang-we're going to miss the fall production of Guys and Does. So little time and so much to see!!
FISH BOILThe other thing this neck of the woods is known for is the FISH BOIL. What is it about the Door County Fish Boil that makes food writers, travel columnists, visitors, and locals sing its praises?
Maybe it's the main ingredient - steaks of mild, delicate whitefish fresh from the local waters of Lake Michigan. Perhaps it's the fiery spectacle of the "boil over" that signals it's time to eat. Most assuredly the savory combination of ingredients that fill the boiling kettle plays a strong role.One fact everyone seems to agree on - the end result is delicious. What began as an economical way to feed large, hungry groups of lumberjacks and fishermen has become an integral part of the Door County experience.
It all starts with a hot wood fire under a kettle of salted water. When the temperature is just right, the boil master adds to the kettle a porous steel basket filled with small potatoes and onions. A few m
inutes later, another basket with the fresh whitefish steaks is added and the water is brought back to a rolling boil.
At just the right moment, a dose of kerosene is tossed onto the fire, causing it to blaze well over the top of the kettle - to the accompaniment of clicking cameras. The superheated fire causes the water to boil over the kettle's sides, dousing the flames while carrying off the fish oil that has collected on the surface. Buba and Pleep really enjoyed this part of the process. Buba thinks this would be good on the patio in Boca.
With the use of a metal pole, the baskets are lifted from the kettle, drained, and then served up with a generous drizzling of butter. Even people who say they don't like fish have been known to change their minds.
Second servings are expected, so don't be shy. But save a little room for the traditional dessert. You guessed it - Door County cherry pie.
MY SANTA MANIA
For those who have never seen any of my Santas...Peggy my Producer and Blogmeister sent in a few pics just to get you in the mood. The "fish room" houses the Florida Beachie Santas. We keep the so very artistic Russian Santas in the kitchen-close to the frozen vodka. Buba doesn't realize it yet, but he's going to be staging a Wisconsin & Alaskan Santa scene this Christmas. Cheeseheads meet the Mushers! Lots of Christmas Santa's up here for Boca and besides U Store It in Pompano has made a lot of space for this trip and the goodies I've mined.
My darling Mom was born and raised in Greenbay, yep on a farm (well she technically was born in Chicago as my Grandmother went there to have her babies). As kids, my sisters and I spent our summers on "the farm". Nothing but fond memories and the smell of a dairy barn puts a big smile on my kisser. Tomorrow we will take a ride over to "the farm". Door County is Wisconsin's Cherryland. Buba and Pleep are eating them by the sack full. Deeeeeeeeelicious!
inutes later, another basket with the fresh whitefish steaks is added and the water is brought back to a rolling boil.
