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 31 Arches and Canyonland- Utah Rocks!


Arches National Park-Off the Pavement for Boca....

You guessed it...over 2000 arches located on 76,518 acres-established in 1971. More astounding geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarfed Bocahantas and Buba...no easy feat. Hikers , Hikers and more Hikers....yes Buba even had me on a trail or two.....walking along the road side is a trail, right? Water and ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement are responsible for this magnificent sculptured scenery.....we are talking 100 million years of erosion. I don't know about you but out here they talk in millions. I just can't get my head wrapped around that yet but it is everywhere! Of course I see GOD's handwork....but millions of years ago....dinosaurs roamed this area and the US was in two pieces. American Indians (yep that is the preferred description not Native Americans (listen up you PC folks) used this area for thousands of years. The last time a rock slab fell (60 ft long, 11 ft wide and 4 ft thick) from the undersides of an arch was 1991, so I figured it was time for another. Wouldn't that be too cool to see! Never mind for the past week I kept yelling at Buba-WATCH OUT....I SEE LOOSE ROCKS ON THE ROAD! Doesn't this Park Ranger know about OSHA and Safety Standards! And again, very few railing for cars or people....it's amazing we don't loose more people out here. I saw one fellow (college age) climb a huge rock....in gym shoes it looked like he walked right up it....hard to believe i saw it...thank you Buba for verifying the sight. Didn't use a tool, rope or even his hands....wild! I spoke to him after his unlawful "walk up"...yep, testosterone fueled thrill seeker. Lots of them out this way.

This Utah's extended canyon country is awesome....think 300 million years ago inland seas covered this large basin that formed this region....I can see why there are so many foreign visitors. Buba did make a comment today....well those Europeans finally caught up with us, they now dress as tacky as we do". Good eye Mr. Buba Blackwell. This park gets about 700,000 visitors per year and being Memorial Weekend the locals started to come out today. I thought rednecks were only found in the South?? Buba felt quite at home today.

Buba still eyes with envy all the RV's. "Honey, that coulda been us". I bite my tongue. Then he laments on "better yet we could be at the campground". Ok, that's it. I remark "Darling, perhaps you and your next wife will enjoy the ground." Is that what they mean by an "interpretive talk"?
A must see but in the mean time www.nps.gov/arch

Lunch out of the trunk again....ran out of "glasses" Buba had to pour my wine into a water bottle...he said don't let anyone see that or they'll think you"re a Gandhi wannabe.

On ward to CANYONLANDS

Established in 1964 covering 357,598 acres known as the Island In The Sky. This ravens view of endless canyons and mesas is breathtaking (not an overused word around here). The 34 mile round trip drive is lots of oooing and ahhing. The rock spires favored a males anatomy so it made for an interesting conversation....would that be considered natural history or geology? Check out The Needles section.

Yearly rainfall is about 8" and we had about half of that today....really it was a blessing. This island in the sky is right up there next to the clouds and brings new meaning to lightening. It was peculiar if you looked to one side of the "island" it was sunny and the other side cloudy and here comes the rain and LIGHTENING. Yes lightening is an issue and some folks do get hit and die. Throughout the area you can see thousands of trees that were hit by lightening and in many instances causing fires. Hello people, do not go under a tree in a thunderstorm. Duh. So the lightening came and it felt like I could reach out and touch it being up so high....Buba wasn't nearly as intrigued and yelled "Get your butt moving to the car and fast!".

I did use one of the Pit Potties....again Buba didn't mention the technology. In I go and discover IT'S AN OUTHOUSE!!! With a good breeze,oooo....no sinks, just hand gel on the wall. It just looked modern on the outside. I loved the sign "Don't throw any waste down there". Are you kidding? And they call the truck that "services" these spots the Honey Wagon. Oy. That will be a first and only experience for Boca...timing is everything.

So enough of the canyons, onward to Green River where we are staying the night. Yes, Motel 6. Well a step up from last night....Buba what about these B and B's people talk about? Oh no he says, you don't know what kind of people live there. I don't want to meet them, talk to them, have coffee with them, use their shower......yeah right. and Motel 6 is picnic? Ya gotta love that man. He has done all of the driving so far. I offered once to drive and he barked "I will never be that tired". And now I learn about Moab....better bet than Green River. And speaking of Green River, did any of you drink those in the 60's? Next time I will email Oh Ranger.com for insider scoop. Oh Buba!

I do want to chat about American Indians and the Mormans....both a key part of this neck of the woods or canyon so to speak.

Another must see.... www.nps.gov/cany
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 12:42 PM