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, June 4, 2009

Day 47 June 7 North Cascades National Park / Washington

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

The drive to the park from Seattle was lovely but I was troubled by a repeated site. What we refer to as "Shack Attack" or what I affectionately say to Buba "Hillbilly Heaven"...why would someone live in such a beautiful part of the world....and maintain or actually not maintain their personal property? House, cabin, after house we found beyond run down and not so picture worthy. The last time I saw this was in Arkansas and I thought it was indigenous to the South. As Buba pointed out, again you are wrong honey. This must be somehow connected to that live free point of view? I guess a gated community in Boca for these folks is out of the question.
While the geography was spectacular with the jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park Service Complex lit us up. Three park units in this mountainous region are managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. A late comer to the NP game 1968 (must have been all those hippies from Seattle) on 684,000 acres. The mountains, forests, rivers and lakes of North Cascades National Park Service Complex provide a rich tapestry of visitor experience for all abilities and interests....me at the scenic view points. Almost 400 miles of trails and vast undeveloped wilderness allow the weekend warriors from Seattle to experience nature with minimal human-caused intrusions.
The park butts up against the Canadian Border. It is als0 called the American Alps which became quite evident upon through out our visit. Buba did scare the beejebers out of me....when he drove across the damn...BUBA ARE YOU SURE THIS IS A ROAD? ARE YA SURE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON IT!! "Bocahontas just don't look to the left and you'll be alright"...dear Lord let us just get across this thing and I will do more penance. Whew made it. So I scanned the main land for the "other" way out. No, Buba said, this is the only way in and out. I said Buba that can't be, what if there are two cars...it's a one way. So I asked one of the Baby Boomer Hippies who are part an parcel of the geography and he just laughed and said "yep, one way in and one way out. oh and by the way it may or may not last long enough for your ride back". Pleep and I hid under the luggage for the ride back...no wonder they call it Diablo....why we just didn't visit the Diablo Overlook is beyond me.

for more details www.nps.gov/noca






So Canada here we come.... or not. Oops a little Kerfuffle at the Border Buba. Hmmmmmmmmmmm but we made it in.....the second time. But that story is for the behind the scenes blog......
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 2:05 PM