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.
Located in Central California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park encompasses an incredible 747,956 acres meaning 1,170 square miles (roughly the size of Rhode Island!) of breathtaking natural splendor. Ranging in altitude from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet above sea level, it's hard to believe that Yosemite is just hours from bustling cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Reno. Yes, and I am looking forward to bustling for a few days myself. Besides, $158 for a Days Inn. Are ya kiddin? On the other hand I keep thinking about that sleeping bag for the 2 week mission in Alaska....oy oy oy.
Not just a great Valley

... but a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. We have been here before with the kids-slip sliding on those granite rocks had me fa-clempt. So today it was fun to watch other mothers....and packed it was. No solitude here on weekends....it was so crowded last week on Labor Day they had to close the park off..too many people. That's just about how Buba felt today. Lots of Mario Andriette wannabe's...give them a winding road and they think they are in Monte Carlo. This place gets over 3.3 million visitors annually. Felt like many of them there today. We are talking traffic jams and air pollution.
Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Buba didn't understand why they had a golf course-don't you come here for the natural experience? Again, those alleged black bears. Not. But the "Watch For Falling Rocks" finally paid off. We watched as a tiny pebble fell and sure as shooting ping on the windshield....no crack yet but one of those holes....does that mean it will start cracking in the back country of Canada if I don't get it replaced now?
The deer (and many other animals) are everywhere. The deer are so tame they want to lick your ice cream cone while you hold it. I know you're thinking serves her right...she has no business with an ice cream cone. Buba keeps muttering about his rifle and the only thing good about the latest
bill they raced through to Obama is the amendment tacked on that allows you to carry a gun in a National Park. I think I am almost qualified to be a Jr. Park Rangerette. I looked it up...there are 58 National Parks and we have been to 35 or so with a possibility of 10 more on this trip. How did Buba pull this off over the years? I do believe he has all of the 58 on his Secret Bucket List....of course not letting me know, just slipping them in here and there. And when does he plan on seeing the National Park of Samoa?
One of my personal favorite sites was the Ansel Adams Gallery(his family has owned the gallery since 1902!)-he is Mr. Take Pictures of California and the National Parks. I am trying my best to take the "less is more" ideology....only 1,898 photos so far....and how many months to go? How will I edit out this load? If the criterion is quality the task will be easy. Ha. I think I will have to have 4 separate photo albums....Fisher, OCMC, and now the National Park Theme has taken a life of its own and of course Family and Friends. Or just one big jumbo super sized "What I did On My Summer Vacation" type album??
Well, most of the National Parks are quite beautiful and a little different from Boca. Don't ya think? Buba keeps wandering over to the Human Resource Offices looking into how all these folks (read that as seniors) get a job here for the summer and where is an application for "us". Us? The man is outside of his mind at times. Not enough that I am visiting these places wearing those ugly gym shoes and no make up, wrinkled and stained blouses and who knew black pants could get dirty, eating dry sandwiches out of the trunk, drinking cheap wine from a water bottle....and now he wants us to work here in the summer. Buba, that ship has sailed honey.