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.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Day 50 ALCAN HERE WE ARE....we hit 10,000 miles today!

From Prince George to Fort Nelson

We made it to the gateway, Dawson Creek. Pleep and Buba are so happy we are finally on the ALCAN. Pleep does love having his picture taken. Did anyone bet on us getting this far without Buba putting me in a restraint?

Buba, does my butt look big in this car seat? I think all this driving is taking it's toll. The side view mirror reminds me daily of the sharpei face I am getting. The droopy smile is making me nuts. Never mind the brown spots on my arms and crepe skin....I am beginning to look like my Grandmother for sure. And of course this car has a lit up vanity mirror, as if the natural sunlight out here isn't depressing enough. Combine that with my freshly surgeried eyes (remember now I don't have to wear reading glasses) it is frightening. Is that gray I see in my eyebrows! And what about those little moley things my Aunt Sophie has-did I inherit those too???? Never mind those pesky grey roots are back on the noggin. And who knew about a hair on the chin-I thought my facialist waxed my face cause she needed extra money. Double Oy Vey. Today was my 3rd day with out make-up. Buba asked if I was still sick? Maybe those Botox shots won't hurt so much....


We have now stepped it up....3 meals a day out of the back of the truck. Buba is very proud of his Costco purchases. He bought a set of Tupperware? Is he planning to cook out here? Leftovers? Isn't the whole cooler one big leftover?

I noticed we are talking less. The Sirius Radio is coming in handy....who knew there was an Elvis Station. I get to hear Buba sing Viva Las Vegas and Hunka Hunka Burning Love a lot. He does flick over to Fox news now and then....pretends he's back on the Lazy Boy with O'Reilly. You do tend to loose track of the days and dates out here....so the blog helps. Truth be told actually the blog is for me so I remember what the heck we saw so when I look at the photo's I'll be able to put them together for those incessant Photo Albums I keep. And those of you who have been to the house know what I mean...thank GOD I write down who's who and what's what next to every picture or it'd be "Who is that? and Where and When was that?" I actually like to pull out the albums to remember I wasn't always round.

Buba said he is so glad they have a Ritz Camera and Photo store in Anchorage so I can print up my photos and unload my memory cards. He doesn't understand why I have to take a picture of most every large tree, mountain and about anything that moves. Problem is we don't know how to "upload" our pictures to the lap top. We have tried but no soap. They say it is quite simple...they say the same about cooking.

So back to the road....Dawson Creek is Mile Zero on the ALCAN. This is the place where construction began. Named after Mr. Dawson, who had tuberculosis and didn't sit around feeling sorry for himself. This guy started off as a geologist and ended up Mr. Canadian Explorer. He is known as "the father of Canadian Anthropology". Today I asked an old man what was there to do in Dawson Creek and he replied "leave". So boogie on down the highway we did....saw a black bear, 4 moose (2 babies, 1 yearling), 2 caribou, and plenty of deers. Talk about an open road...where are all the tourists? Lots of truck and a few RV's. Buba has promised to stop passing the logging trucks on uphill curves.

It was going pretty good till we got to Ft. Nelson....no room, no room, no room? What's going on ? "Just the regular". Huh? They had a fire on the ALCAN and just shut the road down going north out of here. When will it be open again? Dunno. So here we are with thousands of oil field workers...a crusty bunch I might add. Buba looks like Mr. GQ in this soiree. The owner of the hotel felt sorry for me so he gave me the "honeymoon suite'. And someone would have a honeymoon here? It is 2 regular rooms with a door open between them. We can't stop laughing.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 8:30 AM