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.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

DAY 121 MORE WINDY CITY FUN

"Luckys" one of Alex's hangouts ...Pleep loved the fat sandwiches, wings and owner Joe Derosa. Pleep begged Joe to break out his guitar so he could sing along. Joe said "Pleep, come round a little later and you can take the mike". Mike? Pleep thought for a moment, isn't that our cousin in Wisconsin? Run Joe Run!

The Nail Salon is down the street from Lucky's where Pam gets admitted as walk in (as they couldn't take her at her next spa at Nordstroms) and gets a manicure and meets the most extraordinary young lady...Emme. This lovely Mongolian 21 yr old and just graduated from DePaul. Tall, beautiful, bright and sooo sweet. At 16 she came to Ohio as an exchange student and ended up being valedictorian of her class.

Emme is earning money to pay off her student loan and save for law school. She is the first Mongolian I've met. Who knew from Mongolian Beef? Pleep has heard about Genghis Khan and wanted Emme to tell him some GK stories. He also asked her to teach her how to sing Khuumii Style (whistling at the tip of the tongue while simultaneously singing at the base of the throat-wow 2 things at once). Pleep figured for sure he would be the only one in Boca able to do this and earn some points with the ladies. Oh Pleep, you big flirt I wanted to intro her to Nick! Mwah!

Pleep insists we keep trying all the different spas. He wants to write a book at the end of the trip - Spas, Dives, & Diners. So we head to the Nordstrom Spa to spend the afternoon. You won't beleive it but that darn monkey bought more stuff including this machine promising to make him look young again!! Lisa was our fab spa gal...ahhhhhh. Pleep wants to go back daily as Lisa made it clear he didn't need any waxing and it was a pleasure to give him the Monkey Massage.

Next stop Hot Tix...Pleep found out about Hot Tix which is a great place to buy theater tickets at 1/2 price the day of the performance....so he now figures he can go to 2 a day. So many choices and he won't blow his allowance.


Portillo Dawgs in downtown Chicago started in 1963 by Dick Portillo in a small trailer and soon will be operating 48 units. They get calls from all over Chicago plus the world requesting a store for thier neighborhood. More Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, Maxwell Street Polish, and Tasty Burgers... Portillo's won so many Silver Platter awards (the "Oscars" of the food industry) that the company retired from competition for 5 years to give others a chance. Only in Chicago can a Hot Dog win an award. We love Portillos....cars are in a double line as they come to the car to take your order. Buba says we are officially addicted and all the red dye is messing up our thinking. Never mind said Pleep as he put in a plea for a Boca store.


To end a great Chicago day our 4th Sister, Peggy Jane Kavis Bricker, stopped by. Peggy has been Dawnie's bff for close to 50 years-she lived in the house across the street from us where we grew up on the South Side. The two of them together are a cross between LaVerne and Shirley and Lucy and Ethel. And when you through my sis Neesie in the mix they take it to the next level. We reminisced about our trip to Ireland a few years back and couldn't stop howling, laughing and carrying on about the various antics and stories.

Peg was the designated driver as she and my sisters and cousin drove around the Emerald Isle promising to follow Boca and Buba on tour. We arrived at the Shannon airport together and the next time I saw the "girls" was in Edinburgh where we all stayed at cousin Bob's condo...right across the street from the Russian "embassy". Boca swore it was the KGB and all they cared about was getting a glimce of Boca getting out of the shower daily. Buba assured her this was not the case. Nazdravia! Poor Buba tried his best to supervise the "girls" on that trip....he needed Pleep to keep us "organized".


AND YES SPEAKING OF SCOTLAND I HOPE AND REQUEST THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE CANCELED ANY TRAVEL PLANS TO SCOTLAND AND ARE BOYCOTTING ANYTHING MADE OR FROM SCOTLAND. THIS ABOMINATION OF RELEASING THE TERRORIST FROM THE LOCKERBEE KILLING IS BEYOND ATROCIOUS. My dear friend Jay V was booked on that Pan AM 103 flight that Dec 21, 1988 on his way from India to NYC and by God's grace was invited by his friend (remember ol' Sally Jesse Raphael and those big fab glasses) to meet her in Frankfort and join her for Christmas and New Year's in Istanbul. I am sure Jay is reminded of this blessing each year on the anniversary of this horrific event. I ask all of you to stand tall and firm and make your voice heard to the people and businesses of Scotland for allowing this murderer to walk free. Come on Mr. President give them the what for Chicago style! Yes, I am talking to you Scotch drinkers....you know who you are and Pleep knows where you live.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:17 AM