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.
Pleep and Delete had a ball learning all about the Pipeline and visiting the Fairbanks section of pipe.
Pigs in the pipe - Pleep says he had nothing to do with it. He hates pigs but is partial to a good pulled pork sandwich. If you click the pictures, you'll be able to read about pigs in the pipes, etc.
Pleep & Delete loved climbing all over the pipes and everything else in site. Delete wasn't interested at first but Pleep kept
bugging him up. Ple
ep says it's not as good as having monkey bars but it's a close second. Actually, he started looking for a real bar not long after pushing Delete off.
Buba wholeheartedly
concurred. Between
the North Pole and
the Pipeline he could
not take it any more.
Pleep kept monkeybutting Buba until Buba pulled into t
he next bar we saw - the Midnite Mine. It looked as though it would be a great spot for a beverage or two. Then we spotted a sign on the light pole (click on the picture) and even Pleep agreed we would not be able to get into the place. Although Pleep did try to get Buba to use his Secret Service badge. Buba told him
the boys inside might like to use Pleep and Delete for a little indoor target practice. Pleep was one quiet monkey after that.
So off to enjoy a little more of the Fairbanks scene. Bocahontas found a lovely candidate to add to her d
oll collection with that neat polar bear fur - until Buba found the price tag. Then Buba found a nice little stuffed animal he wanted too. He thought it would
be his addition and would give us someone to watch Pleep & Delete when we wanted to leave them in the room. As attractive as it was, I had to but the kibosh on the idea. Where would we keep the wine & other supplies if we had to start lugging a 10 foot stuffed polar bear around.
I did finally find one truck we could make work for a permanent road trip. A nice little Mercedes with tv, upper deck, awnings etc. The full magilla can't possibly be too expensive right?
Pleep & Delete are so looking forward to visiting the North Slope tomorrow to see where all this drilling is going on....
Pleep and Delete had a ball learning all about the Pipeline and visiting the Fairbanks section of pipe.
Pleep & Delete loved climbing all over the pipes and everything else in site. Delete wasn't interested at first but Pleep kept 
bugging him up. Ple
ep says it's not as good as having monkey bars but it's a close second. Actually, he started looking for a real bar not long after pushing Delete off.
he next bar we saw - the Midnite Mine. It looked as though it would be a great spot for a beverage or two. Then we spotted a sign on the light pole (click on the picture) and even Pleep agreed we would not be able to get into the place. Although Pleep did try to get Buba to use his Secret Service badge. Buba told him 
the boys inside might like to use Pleep and Delete for a little indoor target practice. Pleep was one quiet monkey after that.
oll collection with that neat polar bear fur - until Buba found the price tag. Then Buba found a nice little stuffed animal he wanted too. He thought it would 
be his addition and would give us someone to watch Pleep & Delete when we wanted to leave them in the room. As attractive as it was, I had to but the kibosh on the idea. Where would we keep the wine & other supplies if we had to start lugging a 10 foot stuffed polar bear around.
