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 42 June 2/Travis AFB/ Fisher House and Lassen Volcanic NP

Travis AFP/Fisher House

DGMC is the Air Force's largest medical facility on the west coast, providing a full spectrum of health care and patient-centered treatment for over 86,000 TRICARE beneficiaries in the Northern California Prime Service Area. DGMC is a premier staging platform for combat support of OIF/OEF and humanitarian missions, such as support for the California wildfires. This hospital is one of two that does Hyperbaric Treatments in the Military System-so they get patients from the Western half of the US.

As we drove up to the base Keith recollected his last visit here-42 years ago when he completed his tour with the US Army. He flew in from Viet Nam/Saigon August of 1967. He was welcomed by war protesters at the base giving him the finger, yelling baby killer and more. Welcome Home GI. You're in Viet Nam in the field one day and within 24 hrs on your way home. I guess they didn't know about Post Traumatic anything back then. Each soldier figured out how to adjust back to civilian life....glad to know today they are doing a lot more to help the soldiers re- acclimate to the "old/new" life at home. We also spent some time touring the base and watching the planes (C5B's and A's) do their maneuvers. Hard to believe those HUGE airplanes can fly. This large well groomed Base is a place you would be proud of...

Situated on a 55-acre campus at the entrance to Travis Air Force Base, DGMC also includes the VA Fairfield Outpatient Clinic, Clinical Investigations Facility and a community-supported Fisher House. The 7 bedroom House Manager Charlene Hall (retired Air Force) was a pure delight. HER House has a Fisher Park that she is very proud of- playground equipment, beautiful garden and serene seating for her guests. The park represents fruitful results of her Penny's for The Park and Patio Program. We want to know how she sweet talked the J and J company to take care of her landscaping-what a beautiful job they do. We also noticed the the mesh netting on the house-ah those pesky swallows nested under all the eaves making Fisher House their home...didn't they know you had to be Military to stay there! This Fisher House opened in 1994 with Becky Wood as the House Mgr-she is now House Mgr in Bethesda. Kim who was the second Mgr. (left due to her husbands transfer to Ft. Campbell where she volunteered at the Fisher House) hired Char as her assistant and then she was promoted to Mgr. More evidence that once Fisher House is in the blood there's no going back. Jane and the Housekeeper assist Char in keeping her Fisher House in tip top shape....including the many (Keith said it seemed like a million) stuffed animals.

The House just had their fund raising Viking Challenge-the largest event in their history. This 12 hour relay event in which teams continuously moved-running, jogging or walking-took place on the base 2 weeks ago. God bless the 615th Contingency Response Wing Phoenix Mobility Command for hosting such a successful event. The participants logged 2,671 miles! Talk about a Warrior Spirit! Enthusiasm, dedication and support of the Travis Fisher House is evident. The Volunteer Team is committed- there are 3 ladies who have been volunteering for 15 years one day a week...some of the short timers include 10 and 8 year volunteers! Per Char "they are wonderful and do whatever is needed." They even have a Cookie Lady who bakes chocolate chip cookies. The aroma in the house has everyone standing in line for their cookie. Keith kept hanging around hoping the Cookie Lady would show up for his visit. The House also has "The Gift of The Meal from The Heart"-20 nites a month Monday-Friday volunteer groups (mainly Military types/spouses) prepare a meal for the house guests. These meals are a house favorite per the guests. This program runs like clockwork per appreciative Fisher guests. MMMM and the leftovers are just as delicious for late comers. Thank you Charlene for such a warm welcome-you can count on Keith coming back for some of the Cookies.
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Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park's 106,372 acres provide a wealth of fun activities that are as varied as the seasons of the park. There are over 150 miles of hiking trails within the park which range in difficulty from a strenuous 5 mile round-trip hike up Lassen Peak to a gentle 1.85 mile stroll around Manzanita Lake. Established in 1916 right after the Volcano Blew! It is still considered an active Volcano-the centerpiece of a vast panorama where "volcanism" displays its spectaculars....wrecked mountains, devastated land and lots of leftover mud. I loved taking pictures of the lava rocks strewn all over the area. Until Mt. Helen blew in 1990 this was the last volcanic eruption in the lower 48.

Here you can witness a brief moment in the ancient battle between the earth shaping forces of creation and destruction. Nestled within Lassen’s peaceful mountain forests you will find that hissing fumaroles and boiling mud pots still shape and change the land.

The Main Park Road provides incredible views of the Cascades and High Sierras, as well as access to mountain lakes and active hydrothermal areas. Most of the road was still closed....as a matter of fact the road didn't open completely until July last year. We are talking snow up there. There are eight campgrounds within Lassen Volcanic National Park, and a large part of Lassen's wilderness is available for wilderness camping with a free permit. No Buba I don't care if it's free.... if you want remote this is the place.

check it out www.nps.gov/lavo

And we topped off the nite with a stay at the VAGABOND MOTEL....from the Vanderbeek Villa it was a painful transition.....I particularly enjoyed all the truckers getting their diesals reved up at 4 in the morning.....
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:22 PM