2009 NORTH TO ALASKA ROADTRIP: DAY 92 WHITEHORSE TO FT NELSON-ALCAN. REFLECTIONS ON THE WISE MAN OF WISEMAN...

Sing Along With Us

When Keith heard my suggestion about singing to him or reading books outloud, he went out to purchase the biggest capacity IPOD he could find. Now, we've loaded up the IPOD with all our favorites - The Doors (Pam), Willie Nelson (Keith). No American Idols for this gig. We still need a lot more. The suggestions from Alex and Nick are unintelligable to me. Keith just keeps saying he wants both kinds of music. I'm not certain what it means but the playlist for Country & Western is growing.

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.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

DAY 92 WHITEHORSE TO FT NELSON-ALCAN. REFLECTIONS ON THE WISE MAN OF WISEMAN...

We met one of the most fascinating men I have

ever met, Jack Reakoff. Yep, in Wiseman-population 15 or

so. This little village was established in 1907 when miners discovered gold in nearby Nelson Creek.

Wiseman is located in/next to Gates of the Arctic NP,depending upon the map you look at. These folks pretty much live by subsistence-hunting, trapping and gardening for veggies. Buba likes the look of the garden but i told him "Bocahontas does not do stoop or digging work." What could he be thinking?

Jack moved here as a young boy-way before there was a road to get here. His Dad was a bush pilot and enjoyed the remote location and no problem getting in and out. I first saw Jack on a DVD made by National Geographic on

Gates of the Arctic. He is definitely the guru of this neck of the woods-the guy is a walking Wikipedia. He knows a lot about a lot and found a way to live the remote wilderness life....in today's world.

Jack is a hunter and a conservationist. I know this is hard for some of you to get that you can be both! He gave us a super tour of his village explaining the history of the buildings, land, people-Jack has a vast knowledge on a lot-astronomy, weather, building, animals, nature and growing food to name a few. This very fit man is the

definition of self-

sufficient. Although he keeps abreast through his computer and cable this is the most MAN OF THE LAND I ever met. Buba says Jack's creativity, love of the land and simple way of life (never mind happy and fit) should be a road map for Bocahantos. A road map for Boca? Where does he want me to go Okeechobee? Sleep with him in the skeeter net?

Buba thinks these is the right idea for accessorizing your home. I don't think it will go over well in Boca. He thinks it might work if we used gators. Of course it took 2 hours to find Pleep...he begged not to leave!