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.

Monday, July 13, 2009

DAY 83 DENALI VILLAGE FUN

The giant igloo: Igloo City, approximately 180 miles out of Anchorage on the Parks Highway on the way to Denali. It is a 4-story igloo that was supposed to eventually be a motel and gas station. The exterior is done and visible from airplanes at 30,000 feet, so I am told, but the interior is not. Igloo City, is sadly no longer open. The Igloo is boarded up, the gas pumps are missing, and one of the dormer windows has started to collapse in. Maybe the fact that the bathrooms were all outhouses had something to do with it never opening. Just imagine - outhouse, Alaska, November??? Lots of defunct could have been hotels, restaurants, shops abandoned all around the state- what's up with that?

We just can't seem to stop Pleep from stealing Buba's beers. He said he's even taken a bath in a vat of beer in Prague for a hangover cure. He just wants to make certain we don't get any skunky beer.

Buba found new reading material and is going to start the Boca Bubas Book Club when we get back. This is his idea for their first book. I am sure they will be meeting in the garage or gather around the bed of his pick up truck. Better get some of that Buffalo Jerky for their snacks.

Buba seems to keep finding new options for his truck fetish. He's convinced we could sell the place in Boca and just make this a permanent road trip. Come on Bocahontas, we can stay on the road forever and there is always a Costco, Wal-Mart or Target where we can replenish supplies.


So onward to Denali National Park.

Denali National Park and Preserve’s dynamic glaciated landscape supports a diversity of wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and moose. Birds and wildflowers grace summer slopes. Lots of sightseeing, backpacking, and mountaineering....I'll stick with that sightseeing stuff. Whether climbing or admiring, the crowning jewel is North America’s highest peak - the awe-inspiring, 20,320 foot Mount McKinley. Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is nearly 6 million acres and over 9,419 square miles in size.

Denali, the "High One," is the name Athabascan native people gave the massive peak that crowns the 600-mile-long Alaska Range. Denali is also the name of an immense national park and preserve created from the former Mount McKinley National Park. In 1917 Mount McKinley National Park was established as a game refuge. The park and the massif including North America’s highest peak were named for former senator – later President – William McKinley. In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) enlarged the boundary by 4 million acres and redesignated it as Denali National Park and Preserve. It exemplifies interior Alaska’s character as one of the world’s last great frontiers, its wilderness is largely unspoiled. Jimmy Carter's claim to fame. Buba said he should have left that name alone....

The "Big Five"

Thirty nine species of mammals have been documented in Denali National Park and Preserve. Mammals here range in size from the 1200 pound moose to the 1.5 gram tiny shrew. Of course Buba's goal is to see the "big five- moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf and grizzly. He's got 21 hours of light to accomplish. Tomorrow we head out to the Kantishna Lodge inside the park-a 6 hour bus ride to the end of the road. No cars allowed in there. Visitors have increased 1000% over the past 30 years. BUT IT WAS 85 DEGREES TODAY!!! Animals are hiding, Buba is crying....well tomorrow we go into the park for three days-to the Kantishna Road House Lodge- a six hour bus ride to the end of the road. Ugh. And quite spendy I might add so they better have Egyptian sheets and thick towels for Bocahantos... am way over due. I am crossing my fingers it's not one of those wilderness experiences au natural. I don't know how much more nature I can take!!
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 11:49 AM