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.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Day 55 ANCHORAGE:ALASKA'S URBAN FACE

As you can see from our room with a view, Alaska's largest city has a wild backyard. Nearly half the state's population lives in the Anchorage area. Buba has been here a few times before in the 70's with President Ford and Henry Kissinger when the oil pipeline was being built. He remembers how cold and dark it was in December...and a good excuse to drink some Jack Daniels before 5 o'clock.

Anchorage is also the starting point for the Iditarod, the 1,049 mile dog sled race to Nome. You know the one Mr. Palin has won. Perfect for people who really want to take their dog out for a walk. Dog sledding-the locals call "mushing" is not only a popular sport but the official state sport. Oh and don't miss the Ice Worm Festival. In the wild, ice worms only come out at night and go back into the glacier before the sun comes out. Essentially, they melt in temperatures above freezing. I am still looking for that bar that serves Ice Worm Cocktails?


We noticed the airport was loaded with "bush" planes...pretty much how you get around most of this vast state. Must look into the same because 4 of the National Parks we can't drive to. Buba says Amen to that! And HOW MANY MILES DO YOU THINK WE HAVE DRIVEN? He is really getting into the Moose Thing...we adopted a sister for Pleep...the cutest Moose. We are looking for a proper name? All suggestions are welcome....Pleep is thrilled!

The Alaskan's are quite friendly and take great pride in their home state...although 70% are transplanted from elsewhere. Meaning they are here by choice-seems to me a perceived sense of individual freedom is important to them, becoming increasingly rare in our lower 48. About 16% are of Native Heritage, less than 10% combined various "minorities" and the rest of European descent...read that as primarily like my Buba. These folks are not candidates for Boca's gated communities. We met this group pictured at the Russian Museum and Coffee Shop. Their insight to a Pilgrams trip to Kodiak and Spruce Island to visit the monastery, sketes and seminaries was invaluable. I am looking forward to mingling with the Athabascans, the Tlingit's, the Haida, the Tsimshian, the Inupiat's, the Yupik's and the Aleut's. I promise I will do my very best not to offend them...no eye rolling or remarks like Duh. I don't want to set back relations in this state to the stone age. You never know....Buba may want to order a Totem pole to go with the Elephant head on the way from Thailand.

Today Buba rotated his tires at Sears and I covered my....with the most interesting PJ's and undies. Picture the PJ's your grandma would wear in a cotton candy floral with undies to match. What will I do with them when I get back to Boca? Buba said I could use the undies as a sail for a small boat....

Followed by figuring out how to pack everything into one "regular" sized bag??
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 10:23 PM