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, May 21, 2009

Day 30 Bryce Canyon/Grand Staircase Escalante/Capital Reef

Hoodoos Cast Their Spell on Bocahontas and Buba! Bryce Canyon, Utah

Hoodo- a pillar of rock of fantastic shape, left by erosion for millions (10) of years. We are talking Psychedelic Neon Orange! Bryce was established as a National Park in 1928 on 35,835 acres.

Fins, pinnacles, spires...people have lived on this Colorado Plateau region for over 12,000 years. Local Paiute Indians explain the Hoodoos as legend-once there lived animal like creatures that changed themselves to people. But they were bad, so coyote turned them into rocks of various configurations. The spellbound creatures still huddle together here with faces painted just as they were before being turned to stone. I recognized several faces.

This is a geologists dream...sedimentation, uplift and erosion. I can relate. Talk about Sunrise-Sunset...and yes we arrived at the park at 6:00 a.m. Buba really wants to get some use out of that Senior Pass. Buba read up on accidents and noted over exertion wouldn't be a problem for me but having no "lug traction" on my sneakers he insisted I borrow a pair of his for the time being...memo to Pam get proper lug traction. Buba wants to come back for the "COWBOYS AIN'T DEAD FESTIVAL". He Haw! And while it was fantabulous, no High Plateaus Institute for me. He did start up an old habit again....get a T shirt at every park. But Buba you were running marathons when you wore those kind of t-shirts....not a problem, they make them for the average American Manly Man-you go XX!
Check it out www.nps.gov/brca

CANYONEERING AND MORE BOULDERING

Next Highway 12 through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Driving highway 12 was more "breathtaking" but up on the ridge was hairiest ride ever and Buba wished he had some Depends on.....of course TODAY he says it was no big deal. Men. It really was an exquisite ride-a series of great geological steps descending. More than 6000 feet of alternating cliffs, slopes and terraces which extends from the north rim of the Grand Canyon to the top of the Paunsagunt Plateau (about 150 miles). A masterpiece of geological and biological beauty-chocolate, greens, white, gray, pinks, oranges and more. We had a great pit stop for "coffee" at the Kiva Koffeehouse. A fun throw back to the 60's for sure. I couldn't stop humming Simmon and Garfunkle. Half of the patrons looked like them....speaking of looks. Yes hair still grows and roots still show when you're in the woods. Not only are my "outfits" hideous but I fit in. Buba is actually a fashion statement out here.

And for gosh sakes don't tip toe on the Crypto! Cryptobiotic soils...not a problem Buba my boots won't touch the ground...let's do a drive by! I am learning about LEAVE NO TRACE (lipstick on my teeth again?) and TREAD LIGHTLY ON LAND AND WATER (staying in the car as much as possible to do my fair share of lightly) AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS (well not so much) PACK IN-PACK OUT (that garbage bag in the back of the car is starting to smell-where do we dispose of it buba?) LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND (as if I want a bunch of sand, stones and weeds). So Bochahontas is turning into a regular girl scout. Hoo-knew!

Oh yeah, so what's the difference between a Monument and a National Park? Did you know there are 58 National Parks? How many have you been to? Enjoyed it? why? not? Did you know that 6 National Parks have been disbanded? huh? 76 Monuments? and 11 Disbanded? Geeze, what do you have to do or not to get disbanded? What's a National Preserve? National Historical Parks? National Historic Sites? National Military Parks? National Battlefield Parks? National Battlefields? National Memorials? National Recreational Areas? National Seashores? Naitonal Lakeshores? National Rivers? National Reserves? National Parkways? National Historic and Scenic Trails? National Cemeteries? and other...NPS Protected Areas? What is your flavor for fun? I really forgot how beautiful and fun it is to visit a National Park. Bochahontas is reminded of the beauty of nature and how inspirational and spiritual a visit can be. Seeing the handprint and footprint of GOD is humbling.

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM-CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK

This rugged landscape is a maze of brightly colored cliffs and canyons that the Paiute Indians called "The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow"....but it was the pioneers who named it as the dome shaped rock formation reminded them of the country's Capitol. This park was established in 1971 and covers 241,904 acres. I felt like I covered every one of them...thank you Buba. Pleep and I kept trying to hide but no soap. The closest traffic light is 78 miles away. Talk about being off the grid.... because it is still light up to 8:30 ish Buba said let's try out this dirt road, we've got time....bump bump dust dust....the car looked like an orange pumpkin. I am considering entering Buba in the Cowboy Poetry Contest.

And all those bicycle riders...are ya kidding? What kind of shape does one have to be into bike those hills, mountains, cliffs????? Must be the Peyote.

And did you know this is the former outlaw hideaway for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch? Buba it's got your name all over it.....

Please check it out www.nps.gov/care a must see!

NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR BUBA'S HONEY

To top off the day......dirty, tired, hungry and THIRSTY (again) Buba found Utah's version of The Bates Motel. We had to sign in at the grocery store across the street, the yard art (yes a ringer wash machine in front of our room), a velvet painting of Hawaii (I couldn't make this up), a percolator coffee pot (Buba enjoyed a full pot), the fly swatter on a nail on the wall, the chocolate sheets (yes dark brown, have you ever)....I could go on but when I got up in the middle of the night Buba had a chair cocked against the door. I must say that is a first. Buba did like the full size 30 year old refrigerator in the room though....

We were up and otta there at 5:30 a.m........nuff said.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 12:40 PM