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, July 1, 2009

Day 73 July 3 HOMER: AT THE END OF THE SPIT



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Happy Birthday Dear Mitzie. Have fun on your 86th! You have always been a wonderful Mom and a delight to live with us. The question is, how in the hay did you put up with us? We miss you and love you. Glad Lu is with you in Chi town-and for Gosh sakes don't give her too much Birthday Cake!
Pam and Keith xxxxxxOOO

HERE WE ARE AT LANDS END
Literally at the end of the "Spit" and the name of the Hotel. Even the GPS doesn't show it. I think this is the Alaskan version of the Redneck Riviera (Panama City Florida). The Fishermen are King here too...Sockey, Trouts, Lingcod, Rainbows and more. And the boats are funny looking-do you think they say that when they visit Florida? Our room has a trundle bed and a pull down twin (as in attached to the wall over the chest of burgundy drawers).

Keith and I tossed a coin on who got what. While our room looks liike a throw back to the 70's it ain't cheap. Making it all the more "charming" right? I guess if you divide it by 5 guys then the price fits the decor. We are talking pink "levelor" blinds. They do have a spa and I made an appointment for a facial. Having had some some freaky experiences facialing around the globe I now ask the particulars..."I need a deep cleansing. Do you do this? We are talking village dirt and mud caked on the kisser". The young man says "I am sure you will be happy with your treatment". I reply "honey, I'm never happy with anything. Same question." Oh Oh, I'll have to make a few calls and I'll get back to you. Let's set up the appointment for 9:30 bla bla". So I jump in the shower, then the car and buzz across town... 1/2 way there I give the guy a call back just to confirm. "oh oh. Let me have the facialist call you....she's not quite here yet". And she would be where? "Home". Home? "Oh oh Mrs. Collins why don't you come in and have a cup of tea with me and she will be here in a jiffy". Jiffy? That would be a big Oh No. Have her call me, I'll go get the car washed, I am starting to leave messages on the hood the dirt's so thick.... Ring Ring. "Hi this is Jennifer. How are you? Where are you from? How can we help you? etc etc." Cut to the chase Jen, I need a deep clean. How do you do it? I don't want a bunch of oil rubbed on my face and call it a facial. "Um, Um, well we rub oil on your face because we are not aestheticians". YOUR'E NOT WHAT?! What in the heck are you???? "Well I work part time at the Moose Tooth Bar". And you want to charge me $135 for a 40 min oil make my face worse facial? GAABYE.

So not to waste the time behind the wheel (Buba won't let me drive much) I said let's get this car clean. So I found the car wash. No easy task mind you . Kept looking for 20 Brazilian (or Alaska's equivalent) guys with rags and matching t shirts speaking a language I don't understand. Nope. But I did find a sign that said Car Wash. So I drove into this garage that had a hose type contraption on the wall. I waited and waited for the guy to come out to wash the car. Finally, some guy that was in the car behind me came up to the window and said "hey lady when are you going to wash the car?". Hello Mr. Alaska, I am waiting for the car wash guy." Then he shared (I guess that really doesn't describe his manner) and said something to the effect "well maybe that's the way they do it in Florida, in Alaska we wash our own cars!". So I calmly looked at him and said "I knew that" and Bocahontas drove off.

SALTY DAWG SALOON

This has got to be the manliest state. Making Australian, Irish and Texas men look like wussies. The Salty is Buba's new hang out. The bumper stickers are stellar Alaskan style "Your Kid May Be An Honor Student But You're Still An Idiot", "GUT Fish?", "Fillet and Release" and on and on. Course the breaking news was Sarah resigning...as if my day wasn't trying enough with the non-facial and car wash that never was. You can imagine the crowd at the Salty Dawg..."good for her, I would quit a long time ago, tell them to go pound sand and then it got even more colorful from there. These Alaskan's are a feisty bunch. I think the bumper sticker sums it up "Think. They haven't taken that right away. Yet."



FAS

On the flip side I also learned about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome up here. I assure you it's rampant and ugly. This disease is caused due to drinking during pregnancy. There is a an organization NOFAS (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) started in 1990 committed to prevention, advocacy and support. http://www.nofas.org/ The primary group with this problem is American Indians and Alaska Natives. The number of births with this diagnosis is higher than autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and spinal bifida COMBINED! The deal is this is a PREVENTABLE disease. The average cost to treat this over the life time of the child is $1.4 mill-I personally think this is underestimated. This of course all relates back to the significant alcohol problem in many villages/reservations. Certainly a GODLESS life doesn't help lick the problem....AA's success is very much based on a "higher power" concept. From some of the research it would seem this "alter ego" of a higher power would be a fit with the Native Alaskans (seeing that the former Chief Model was their guider (alter ego) in many ways). Why doesn't AA work in these villages? The cost is monumental, not only to the individual but to their family and tribe. Illness, other related diseases, accidents and SUICIDE are some to name a few.


To sum it up, how can a beer for one guy be ok and a beer for another is not? Go figure.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:17 AM