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 36 LAS VEGAS-ENTERTAINMENT CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!

Viva Las Vegas!


Gambling, shopping, fine dining and loads of entertainment. 1,836,333 people live in "Sin City". From space it is the brightest metropolitan area on earth. Las Vegas Blvd (also known as The Strip) runs 4 miles in the city and now way out to the "burbs". We experienced how far out last night....a visit to the new hotel, resort and spa "M". Way cool- very hip and modern. The pool area was truly an oasis in the desert. But our favorite was the unique wine bar "Hostile Grape"-you fill up yourself. Meaning the thousands of bottles are displayed upside down on dispensers with the price per once and you get yourself an M credit card and punch and pour...it dispenses and you pay by the ounce. The selection was mind boggling and a gal could get into to trouble in this venue in a hurry. Buba is "grapeful" we don't live close as this has Pam's name all over it. He kept heading her off at the pass at the $25 an once bottle....


We have been staying with my "cousin" Karen...we came for one night and ended up staying 4. Lots of chores for Buba to do. Sadly, Karen and my blood cousin Teddy have divorced after 18 years of marriage. They have a talented son, Teddy Jr, who is a great baseball player (catcher). We watched him play ball last night-they won both games! I know several of you have gone down this D road....always heart breaking. Can you be friends with both? Or do we still live in a world of "choosing sides"? Do the kids have to choose sides? Most importantly, who gets the maid! Poor Karen, it was like a world wind hit her new home. Oh my, Pam said, "What are you doing with those "lambrequins" from the 80's on your windows....Buba, get those down! " So God bless Buba, he has been working his knuckles bloody doing those "honey do" chores around the house. And while she has ruined the curve by waiting on Buba with her delicious sandwiches and treats and more it really was a pleasure as Karen is a wonderful person and easy to do something for....thank you Karen and TJ for such a great visit (Pam used her hairstylist-got rid of those pesky roots finally and her amazing facialist....this lady scrapes your face with a scalpel!!). And don't forget the new Red Rock Resort right down the street from Karen's...awesome (9 miles from the strip on the 215- yes they are building these mega casino/hotel/spa resorts all over the place). No that's not Buba after to much grape...he wrestling putting that new lawn furniture together for K!


Anyway, this city has grown leaps and bounds since our last visit. Have you been on the 215 loop which circumvents the city? Do it once so you get the picture with your own eyes of all the growth. Did you know Las Vegas means The Meadows? In 1855 good old Brigham Young (Mormon Founder) sent 30 missionaries here to convert the locals (American Indians) to Mormonism. And this area was/is part of the Mormon corridor....



Well so much for that old college try by the Mormons....gambling was legalized in 1931 and the first Casino/Hotel opened in 1946- The Flamingo (thank you Bugsy Seigal). Did you know Maucau (Hong Kong) gambling surpassed Vegas gambling in 2006? When we were in Singapore in Feb we saw what they claimed to be the BIGGEST casino being built right before our eyes (on the waterfront). They were working 24/7 so it was interesting to watch from our hotel room in the middle of the night, the work they were doing to make the opening day goal...."GO TO BED HONEY AND SHUT THOSE BLINDS IN THE BATHROOM...THOSE GUYS DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU TAKING A TUB". Kill joy.


Another thing I love about Vegas is that it may be 94-104 during the day, those cool nites (unlike Florida) get down to the 60"s. Amen. Our favorite fun in LV are the shows so time to do one more show...



THE SHOW GIRL MUST GO ON- BETTE MIDLER


Can you believe she is 63!!! The last time I saw her was in 1972 at Armadillo World Headquarters while in college at University of Texas/Austin. The Divine Miss M. The consummate entertainer and I love the work she has done in NYC with the park. In spite of the concert she held at Cesar's last nite to raise money for Harry Reid (and yes the President was there doing his political favors for Harry and the unions) she is A plus to me. My favorite song is "You've Got To Have Friends". What is yours? Check out this clip of her from the show singing - From A Distance. P.S. Way hotter than Cher!








Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:14 PM