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 32 "Zion A Place Regarded As Devoted to God: A Sacred City"


A great way to kick off Memorial Weekend with my favorite Vet. Zion was established in 1919 on 146,592 acres. We are talking Master Sculptor chiseling out Zion Canyon and its massive stone formations. And like inspired artists this sculptor continually refines HIS work....erosion, wind, rain. I think the 19th century Mormons who saw the "natural temples of God" calling the area Little Zion after the celestial city and naming the venues/sites sacred names....West Temple, Alter of Sacrifice,The Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Temple of Sinawava, Weeping River and the Three Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to name a few.

The scale is immense with cliffs dropping 3000 feet- we are talking deep alcoves here. A million years of flowing water has cut through the red and white beds of Navajo sandstone that form these sheer walls. The geologic heart of the canyon began as a vast desert millions of years ago (here we go again) with loads of wind blowing one dune on top of another reaching depths of 2000 ft and unlike the Grand Canyon where we viewed from the top, at Zion we look up. I can see why 2.5 million folks visit every year...never mind there is an outlet mall and several Starbucks and Vegas down the road.... and lucky us, today was the busiest day in Zion's history. Actually it was so organized (no driving in the park, tour buses take you around) I felt like I was at Disney half the time. Tip- don't show up on a holiday weekend. Don't these people know there is a "REPRESSION" going on?

I didn't realize there were 3 separate and distinct entrances to Zion- that are not connected. This carved landscape offers more ooing and ahing... The shuttle bus making it easy peasy for Boca Babe. Zion is celebrating it's 100th birthday...meaning in 1909 it was declared a Naitonal Monument (called Mukuntuweap) and 10 years later a National Park. And speaking of celebrating- the earliest evidence of human occupation in and around Zion comes from a time known as the Archaic Period-whose scarce remnants have been dated to about 7000 B.C....folks there till when the Mormans settled the area in the 1850's- to grow Cotton- no longer available due to the Civil War. And now I understand why they call this "Utah's Dixie" (and Dixie National Forest). John Muir suggests: "Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."

Yep, Celebrating A Century of Sanctuary! I get it.

May your spirit be renewed and soar as high as the highest cliffs we've seen. May you visit some of these spectacular parks for your own remarkable experience...and if you've been before, time to come back. We look forward to a happy return ourselves.

And I like these Mormon's....very neat and tidy, polite and very Patriotic....loads of huge American Flags everywhere hmmmmmmmmmm must check them out......

One last note.....

Are we well provisioned or what? We'd read a lot of stories about people getting caught without enough provisions and wanted to make certain we didn't end up like the Alfred Packer party. Chef Boyardi fixes our lunch daily in the park. Mighty tasty. He informed me that pickles are not vegetables and were fattening. Never mind what he said about the chips I smuggled in. Lovely stand up lunches. He enjoys using his switchblade or as he refers to it...the Mercedes of self-openers. Huh? I begged him to buy a jar of Mayo and he said "we" don't need it. So when he went to McDonald's for his coffee (complaining about the no Starbucks in the Canyonville) I copped a few packs of mayo. Shhhhhhhhhh. He can be such a buzz kill sometimes....


Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend. Have fun and stay safe!

Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 12:43 PM