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.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Day 109 DOOR COUNTY, FISH CREEK

DOOR COUNTY ALSO KNOWN AS "THE DOOR"

Haven't been here in 15 years and boy did this place gussie up. Used to be the shops only carried cow creamers and matching oven mitts. Not anymore-they've gone Hampton! We are rediscovering the exquisite beauty of the Door County Peninsula and Washington Island. With over 300 miles of scenic shoreline dotted with bustling harbors and quiet coves, Door County offers a wealth of water-based recreation. Sandy beaches, sailing, cruising, boating, fishing, boat rentals, charters or a unique car ferry ride to Washington Island are just a few ways to enjoy the sparkling waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. My cousin Bobby has had a condo up here in Fish Creek ( for 20 yrs? or so) and we are enjoying it. Buba is RELAXING in a big way...walks around in his underwear with a cup of coffee. Heaven. No in and out of the car, driving, fast food, looking for a rest stop and all that good fun.

There are five state parks, ten lighthouses and more than a dozen county parks that offer those mid-westerners some nice hiking, biking and sightseeing opportunities. Rural vistas and bluffs further enhance your experience of the county. Pristine scenery combined with hundreds of renowned artists and galleries, music and performing arts, and unique educational courses for the visual arts, theatre, and humanities truly make Door County a distinctive arts community.

Eating is a commitment up here. They have may unique and award-winning restaurants and hunt for treasures in one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, and museums. Pleep and I did a little damage today buying that "stuff" you only buy when you're on vacation and when you get home say "WHAT WAS I THINKING?!" Small wonder Door County was named one of the top ten vacation destinations in North America by Money Magazine, and that each year more than two million visitors like to visit and claim this jewel as their own.

Fish Creek…# 1 Small Town Getaway Destination-Midwest Living

Thank you Bob for the use of your lovely condo. At the heart of Door County’s peninsula, historic Fish Creek–established on the shores of Green Bay in 1857, embraces a heritage that began with lumberjacks, farmers, and fishermen more than a hundred and fifty years ago. Today, the history and hometown atmosphere is preserved throughout the village. Walking tours recall the adventures of early settlers; strolling Main Street, white clapboard buildings are a reminder of yesteryear. Hop on the trolley, tour an orchard, ride a horse-drawn carriage to complete the history lesson. The snug harbor and inviting waterfront lure visitors with promises of boating, fishing and swimming activities or for those of us who just like to monkey around.

With an expansive choice of lodging, restaurants, galleries, orchards, winery, outdoors activities, boutiques and novelty shops, Fish Creek is the destination for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or a retreat from city life. Come for a day, stay for a week…from beginning to end, Fish Creek is the perfect location from which to enjoy a Door County adventure. No recession here. The rooms are sold out!

PIPKA'S
Buba should not have left Bocahontas alone when he heard THE Pipka's store is in Sister Bay. Yes I've been known to buy one or two Santa's in my day. Alex begged, PLEASE STOP SPENDING MY INHERITANCE ON ALL THAT JUNK! Amen to UPS. I won't have to hear "where in the hell are you going to store that stuff!!!!" Well, I won't have to hear it right now anyway.

Pipka Ulvilden is a Christmas Santa designer and owner of Pipka’s of Door County. Her enchanting cottage is in Sister Bay (a couple towns up from Fish Creek), Wisconsin, where she sells her designs and original art, including jewelry, paintings and collage. She has been creating and teaching art for more than 35 years and frequently travels to Europe to research her Old World Santas and other art projects.

I love her story....Pipka's first miracle was when she and her family left war-torn Europe for America in 1949. Her father, a physician, was welcomed to the friendly little town of Michigan, North Dakota, where the sky was blue and little children could play outside in safety until the moon came out. "It was like living with one big happy family," says Pipka. The family loved America and also maintained many customs from their Czech/German heritage. Christmas, always a miracle, with its strudel, roast goose and candlelit tree, was particularly traditional and influenced Pipka's future as an artist. I am living proof that Strudel helps one think and create.

Frequent trips to visit relatives in Europe eventually gave Pipka the direction she sought and she opened Pipka's Workshop in Minneapolis where she began painting furniture, publishing books, and teaching. Painting classes soon led to Christmas designs and Santa's and every class was always filled. "I realized people were hungry for something that represented their heritage, their roots," Pipka says of that time. Moving to Door County, Wisconsin, in 1981 was a huge change from city life but also a miracle. Pipka opened another shop in a quaint cottage in Sister Bay and began designing (since 1995) old world limited edition Santas for Prizm. She has quite a following of which I am one. Debra Osten, the store manager, took care of me for 2 hours. The transplanted Californian must have heard about Boca and her willy ways-Debra did an excellent job and upped Boca's interest in all things Pipka. Merry Merry!

ICE CREAM YOU SCREAM- Wilson's Ice Cream

Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor has been located in the heart of Ephraim (one town up from Fish) since 1906. A classic Door County landmark that possesses the enchantment to take the youngest visitors back in time with its old-fashioned soda fountain and ice cream specialties, home-brewed draft root beer, flame broiled burgers and juke boxes playing the classics.

Buba had a hard time pacing himself at Wilson's. The two fisted ice cream addict didn't know which way to go. Pleep was at home taking his beauty rest but when he heard that we went to Wilson's without him and didn't bring home a "monkey-bag" with a banana split; he made us promise to make another trip before we leave so he could partake. Buba happily agreed. My cousin Mike, his wife Sue and son Peter said not to worry as this being the Dairy state you can count on many many fabulous ice cream shops up here.

And now we know why Buba kept going back for more.....

The whole day was too much for Pleep. Cheese curds and PBRs, the aroma wafting over from a local dairy herd. The poor fellow was all done in and we had to help him to make certain he didn't fall in.

Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 10:55 AM