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.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

DAY 113 PENINSULA STATE PARK AND FISHING STURGEON BAY

PENINSULA STATE PARK

Right across the street from my cousins place in Fish Creek. Very nice. Pleep heard they were celebrating a 100th Birthday so he couldn't wait for a piece of cake. This lovely park and setting is very mid-western in foliage and fauna. The "skyline road" showed us a beautiful view of the Strawberry Islands and bay.




The hydrangeas were in full bloom and spectacular. We enjoyed seeing them everywhere. There are so many white ones it almost looks as though there is snow in some people's yards.



We enjoyed watching the artists paint the bay....Pleep made himself right at home on the easel as he wanted to be sure the darling artist included him in her picture. He thinks Boca should take up this hobby when we return to Florida or wherever we end up. I'm not certain you can hold the brush, palette and a wine glass at the same time. Buba thinks it would give me something to do on the farm while he and Pleep are out doing man-things.


In our never ending quest to sample all the dairy products Wisconsin has to offer, we were compelled to stop off at the Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard Stand. Buba insists we must compare the frozen custard to the Wilson's Ice Cream. Pleep saw the help wanted sign and he insisted he apply. He figured he would fit in with this ice cream you scream staff....must all be from U of W at Madison. :)



Boca found the most divine wine. Yes that's right - Choco Wine, from Holland. It "combines the fine taste of Dutch chocolate with red wine." What could be better than combining chocolate with any type of fermented beverage. I tried to buy several cases for my posse back in Florida but they limited me to one. I think Buba may have been slipping them cash on the side to limit me. He seems to think we are already overloaded. Pleep tried to lobby the help for additional cases but stopped when Buba shot him a look that seemed to imply Pleep would be bounced to make room for the wine if needed.

While Buba and Pleep were rearranging things in the vehicle, Boca sprinted over to the gift store to see what else she might find useful. How could anyone live without clothing protectors and diet napkins. I tried to buy a case of each of these too but ran into the same restrictions. I think Buba must have sent Pleep to the cash register lady while I wasn't looking. And yes it is amazing what people will buy while on vacation.....the "bib" does look quite practical and I am noticing I am in need these days. Although the black Johnny Cash look helps.



FISHING IN STURGEON BAY
Buba and Pleep had a great afternoon fishing with cousin Mike and his buddy Scott . They were trying to cram in as much fishing as possible because this will be the last chance for quite a while. Buba is certain once we hit Chicago his fishing days will be replaced with shopping. Pleep thinks that the two of them should at least go to the Shedd Aquarium to check out the fish there. Plus the whales and dolphins are back in the Oceanarium section.

Pleep thought these were really giant fish. Are they sturgeons? Do you eat them? Maybe we should have them stuffed and mounted. They would look really good at the ranch with all the other stuffed animals. Good idea Pleep....and these are Wisconsin Salmon.


Pleep is trying to get in as much outdoor action as he can before we head to the big city. He hasn't been in "civilization" for a while and he's a bit worried about feeling hemmed in there. Buba spent the day chasing him from one fish boil to the next. Every time we turned around he had found another fish boil to "stir up the pot". Begging and trying to convince Boca that we need to buy one of these pots so we can do this on the patio back home and get rid of that darn Iguana.

Pleep is still looking for the Black man on the cover of the Door County magazine. So far he has been here for 6 days and not a sighting of anyone black. Pleep thinks it is funny that they advertised this nice looking man and his wife but not a soul brother to be found up here. Pleep was hoping he was a Packer and would be willing to take Pleep to football camp with him. For a state that voted in my current president I'm not seeing much diversity up here???



This is about the closest to Jewishness in the Door that we've seen.....as my darling friend Dotty pointed out "what do you think? Without a good Jewish Deli?" Pleep spotted this car and thought it meant the driver was the 789th Jew in MN. Maybe he knew where a good deli was??? He started asking everyone, "Have you seen a good Jewish Deli up here?" He finally spotted a place billed as a deli and insisted we try it. No luck. Pleep wondered where the brisket was? What about matzo ball soup? Not even a blintz on the menu! Pleep will have to wait for Chi Town to get a fix of some lox and bagels-a Boca staple.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:50 AM