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 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.
Whitehorse, Canada to Tok, USA
I now know what Permafrost is all about (where the ground is permanently frozen, the road buckles)...and so do my kidneys. This stretch of the ALCAN is a roller coaster, up and down and up and down and up and down. This perma layer of the earth can't handle the asphalt hence the up and down. We saw loads of road men trying to "fix, patch or somethin" all to no avail. In spite of the dust and up and down the wide open spaces and phenomenal views continue to awe us. Somewhere along the road I thought I would run out of superlatives having seen the "most" beautiful territory and it surely couldn't get any better then wham there it is again. In spite of dust and bumps I am looking forward to the ride back on the ALCAN....the driver is considering the Ferry.
It's always sweet to see the Welcome to America sign and Old Glory blowing in the breeze. In this case Welcome to Alaska added more excitement. Pleep went "ape"....whenever he sees the flag he breaks out in "Born in the USA". He gets especially worked up playing the air guitar a la Springsteen.
I did make one miscalculation. I have a series of Baggies for various items. It can be a bit dicey to manage all those Baggies (the various shampoos, 5 bottles of facial soaps, 3 bags for hair products, 10 bags for the makeup I haven't used this past week, etc.). In the undie department I have bags for color, style and stage.....after my shower I went to get dressed and found an empty clean undies bag....in any color or style. What? Buba do you have any spares? After I dealt with the dirty look and snide remark, I reached back to my college days....it was a free and breezy day for sure. Needless to say we scrambled out to the laundromat that evening. I don't remember going to a laundromat since college. A good thing, as the washers and dryers were that vintage, one speed, one temperature (cold of course) rusty doors and missing lint traps. Ewwwwwwww. Buba had his hands full scrapping 2 inches of dust off the car while dodging the JUMBO GARGANTUAN MOSQUITO'S. Seriously people, they are not kidding about the size and amount of them. My first bite swelled to the size of a quarter. Ranger Boy told us to get Deet 90. Deet 90? I saw some 30 at the ranger station. 90? "Yep, but you better test it to make sure you are not allergic to it. And don't grab the steering wheel after you put it on your hands-you may stick." Buba and be sure to get me one of those net hats. I promise not to make fun of anyone wearing them again-ever! I am sure I am a vision of loveliness.
The nite ended perfectly with left over soggy pizza....Buba ordered the Pizza special /2 for one the night before. We had pizza for dinner, breakfast and again tonight. A round of indigestion for all capped off the day. Where are the Rolaids Buba?
