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 44 June 4 Mount Ranier National Park/Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

A Source of Inspiration


Brings new meaning to TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMBER!

"Learn about glaciers. Discover life in a rainforest. Hike the Wonderland Trail. Explore subalpine ecology. Watch clouds shroud the mountain and disappear. Visit a rustic historic building. Dream about climbing to the summit. Study geology. Experience a mountain meadow. Listen to a glacier crack." Oh Ranger Boy was so full of suggestions. About wore me and Pleep out thinking about what we should do. The brochure tells us "unexpected road closures may occur at anytime due to the dynamic nature of Mount Ranier" BINGO. First they had an avalanche that slid the road down the mountain...better close that section-hey when will it be "fixed" Ranger Boy? Uh, not sure could be July or next July. and by the way a car hit a construction truck today...so that's a bit of a headache. you've got that right RB.

They also say Mount Ranier creates it's own weather-right again. At the bottom of the mountain and in the valley it was 80 something...up there on top it was in the clouds chilly and lots of snow still. Loaded with those "mountaineer tree hugger types"....we stopped in at one of their boutiques....you might as well be at Chanel as far as the prices go. Flash parka's $1200 and how about a cool Patagonia or Gotex Fleece? You can have one for $600 and for a few hundred more you can get the pants as well. While this sport is not for the faint of heart it is also not for the empty pockets. We got a kick watching the young folks suit up, practice on the climbing wall and swing around those ice axes. Huh? This is June people!

BE INSPIRED PLEEP! I must say his behavior today was much better and he is learning to read the signs- no cliff jumping.

Mount Rainier National Park offers excellent opportunities for some very scenic drives, hiking, and that whacky mountain climbing. Most roads are open from late May to early October--all provide stunning views and access to a variety of hiking trails and other sites. Lowland forests of cedar, hemlock, and fir to subalpine streams and meadows of wildflower, to alpine slopes of firs, glaciers, and tundra all over the place! The growth of the trees and foliage are much like a tropical rainforest. We are talking Hansel and Gretel scary thick forest. Looking at all those trees fallen over and seeing the ones cut by a chain saw and removed from the road....I have been a bit nervous. What's to stop one of those huge trees from falling on the Bubamobile? So I asked Ranger Boy and he said "Well, we've only had one tree fatality since I've worked here". That was good enough for Buba to forge on...


And that glacier is something....I guess that's why they call it land of Fire and Ice. The glacier is 4 miles long and flows down hill 6-12 inches per summer day. We are talking waterfalls everywhere. Mount Ranier is actually an active volcano ( yes Mt. St. Helena is right around the corner) with its most recent eruption in the mid 1800's. This National Park was established in 1899 and spreads out over 235,625 acres-and 3 miles in height.

Buba has taken to calling me Mountain Mama these days. He tried to sign us up for the Black Bear and Mountain Lion Encounter Trip. Buba said I would have no problem scaring off a Mountain Lion "make yourself look large, intimidating and in control: stand up tall, open your jacket, yell and throw things". What, and feel like I'm back at work! Buba, let's do like the sign and Keep Wildlife Wild-so leave me alone already.



Close to Seattle and worth the day trip to see this big mother! check it out www.nps.gov/mora
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:24 PM