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.
LOCAL NEWS
Reading today's Anchorage news...'Chronic inebriates' could be cut off. Fairbanks: Liquor stores wouldn't be able to sell to them. Yep the City Council will consider a ban on the sale of alcohol to 'chronic inebriates.' Trying to address the alcohol problem in Fairbanks. Do we tread lightly to address this HORRIFIC problem in Alaska (yes of course we have it in the lower 48)? Is it the cold? Is it the long dark months? Is it the cowboy mentality you find up here? What is the criterion to make the list of not being able to sell to? How will this be monitored? Never mind that.....my friends, sounds like this a problem statewide.... And your thoughts are?
KENAI NATIONAL PARK
WELCOME TO THE LAND CARVED BY GLACIERS AND POLISHED BY THE SEA.
Anyway back to a little fun in Seward. The gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Established in 1980 on 607,000 acres. The smallest National Park in Alaska. The Harding icefield is the park's "crown jewel" the real mother load of the hood. There are 3 dozen glaciers flowing out of these mountains. Buba and I took a little stroll up the mountain. he pointed out all the Moose "nuggets" along the way...then mentioned, well, hey they could be bear nuggets. Lovely. Of course he reminded me the Canadian Border Boys took his Buba knife away so he might have some difficulty protecting me from some of those pesky bears.... Ya gotta know there is a Knife store on every corner and of course they sell guns at the Wal Mart (no kidding). Unlimited Amo. Buba is in heaven. Formal dress is a t-shirt with a collar. And the mantra of "ain't no
ne of your business" rings like music to his ears. Speaking of music...of course they love Country and Western.
So we stomped around "Exit Glacier" and Hardin Icefield. Tomorrow we hit the water via tour boat....as the Oh Ranger Boy said "you can expect calving"....huh? Buba, I didn't know they had cows out here? Bochahontas must have missed geography at the Univ of Texas. Hook'em!
Just a reminder....
Did You Know?
With 570,374 square miles, Alaska is twice the size of Texas and 1/5 the size of the rest of the United States. It stretches 2,400 miles east-to-west and 1,420 miles north-to-south. Its 6,640-mile coastline is 50 percent longer than the combined east and west coasts of the United States. The picture says it all. Alaska imposed over the lower 48 - all to scale.
ne of your business" rings like music to his ears. Speaking of music...of course they love Country and Western.
