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.
Sherryanne Burket Boyce joined the Condo hunt along with Aunt
Dawnie and team at P.J. Clarkes.
Sherryanne's family lived next door to us when we lived in
Evanston (northern sub of chi town). The house
Buba and I bought on Lake Shore Drive was built in 1905 and can you believe
ol'
Boca and
Buba refurbed it with their two hands. Picture them moving from the city and only knowing how to change a light bulb and then taking on the
refurb of an old house.
Boca convinced
Buba to sign the dotted line as "This Old House" made it look so easy. The poor
Burket-Boyce family had to put up with the yelling and carrying on as that crazy young couple next door tackled that Prairie Dog of an abode-never mind the wild and crazy friends
hoopin and
hollarin at their all
nite parties....George you know who you are.....LOOSING YOUR CAR KEYS ON THE BEACH AND HAVING TO LEAVE YOUR CAR WHERE IT WAS PARKED IN THE NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY ALL WEEKEND AND HAVING THE DRIVER COME BACK ON MONDAY TO PICK IT UP IS STILL IN THE TOP FIVE OF HOLY COWS AT THE COLLINS!
Pleep continued his campaigning for living near the Lincoln Park. He really likes this building. Great views, right across the street to the park. Plus he can use the North Ave. bridge to get over LSD and hit the beach. He loves to watch the girls playing beach volleyball. To top it all off, the rooftop bar at the beach is the perfect spot for a cool brew or two.
Pleep thought it would be fun to live in Oprah's building as he never lived so close to a National Enquirer staple and this might make for more Monkey fun. We continue on, in and out and up and down....parking? Ha Ha Ha
All this condo looking got our group in the mood for a little rest & refreshment. P. J.
Clarkes turned out to be the right spot again so we headed in for a nosh.
Pleep pointed out
th
at another advantage to the Gold Coast/Lincoln Park area is the proximity to all his favorite haunts on Rush & Division. P. J.'s is now on his list, although he prefers Butch
McGuires as it is a true Chicago landmark. Here we are with Diane and family. They just picked mom in law from O'Hara as she arrived from Madrid where she lives. PJ's always a great welcome to Chicago spot.
Pleep keeps carrying his PJ's around as he is thinking this is a requirement to play at PJ's.
Pleep continued his campaigning for living near the Lincoln Park. He really likes this building. Great views, right across the street to the park. Plus he can use the North Ave. bridge to get over LSD and hit the beach. He loves to watch the girls playing beach volleyball. To top it all off, the rooftop bar at the beach is the perfect spot for a cool brew or two. Pleep thought it would be fun to live in Oprah's building as he never lived so close to a National Enquirer staple and this might make for more Monkey fun. We continue on, in and out and up and down....parking? Ha Ha Ha
at another advantage to the Gold Coast/Lincoln Park area is the proximity to all his favorite haunts on Rush & Division. P. J.'s is now on his list, although he prefers Butch McGuires as it is a true Chicago landmark. Here we are with Diane and family. They just picked mom in law from O'Hara as she arrived from Madrid where she lives. PJ's always a great welcome to Chicago spot. Pleep keeps carrying his PJ's around as he is thinking this is a requirement to play at PJ's.
