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USA 2023
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  • Tufnell Travels

USA 2023

A 21-day adventure by Tufnell Travels Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 20, 2023
  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler

    Harbour Point Church

    May 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Loved our visit to Mandy and Steve's church, Harbour Point. Leo and Joy enjoyed the kids groups and the rest of us the main service.

    Free coffee and doughnuts and I got a free cap and welcome pack despite protesting I wasn't really a newbie!

    Lovely to meet some of the team too and learn a few tips to take back to the Lantern    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Rex the Lion at the entrance
    Leo loved how close he could get to many of the animalsLike at that tiger's bottom!1Huge silverback gorilla chilling just the other side of the glassMike's favourite 🐘Michelle's favourite 🤣1

    San Diego Zoo

    May 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    An amazing time at San Diego Zoo. Lived up to its reputation, huge, enormous variety and beautifully laid out...if a bit up and down! More photos than we can fit here!

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    As usual , Leo loving the idea of being in charge!We all know I was sat in the wrong chair!Leo getting his wings!

    San Diego: USS Midway

    May 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Pretty unique. Visited retired US aircraft carrier used from Vietnam to Desert Storm in Iraq conflict. I would've been too tall to survive living on an aircraft carrier! Girls not feeling so well, but Leo and I got a good tour and Leo earned his junior navy pilot wings (badge ceremony salute pic included!).

    Named after the epic Midway battle 6 months after Pearl Harbour. Another hugely significant moment in WWII, outgunned by the Japanese, extraordinary heroism, sacrifice and 'good fortune' led to an unexpected victory.

    Some stats: 4500 crew when it was operational, 13,000 meals served daily and 240,000 gallons of fresh water needed every day! Costs $1.2M every day it was operational and when it was built it was the largest ship in the world.    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Carne Asada Fries - yummy!Ice cream = JOY!!1The kids eyes nearly popped out of their heads!

    San Diego: Gaslamp district dinner

    May 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Lovely dinner out in a fun part of San Diego called Gaslamp. Called that because as the city grew it retained some of its Victoria street lamps. Now it is one of the buzzing parts of the city as the sun falls.

    We went to Las Hadas for "Taco Tuesdays" - half price soft tacos and I might also have ordered their "Carne Asada Fries" - basically a huge bowl of chips loaded with marinated spicy beef and melted cheese.

    Then we found an ice cream place...now, a word of warning...in the UK if I ordered the cheapest ice cream option on the menu, a "one flavour" option for a child, I'd expect a scoop, maybe two... 😳 Courtesy of Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream! List of about 40 different flavours too!    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Gondolas and a volcano as the backdrop to our dinner in the desert - Vegas is nuts!1In America , that passes as a milkshake!Beautiful. Not a bad view either...2

    Las Vegas: Milkshakes & Gondolas

    May 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 31 °C

    Dinner at The Black Tap, part of the Venetian Resort.

    The milkshakes are ridiculous. But the wings, burgers and passing gondolas were pretty special too. Best seats in the place, even got to see the 'Volcano' at The Mirage resort go off too - Leo was transfixed!Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Watched two different Bellagio fountain displays, they go every 15 minutes
    Bellagio lobbyI know Piff! Shame we didn't get to see John van der Put's show!

    Las Vegas: Bellagio fountains & downtown

    May 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    With family getting early night I wandered down Las Vegas Boulevard to take in some of the lights and the Bellagio Fountains, listening to Barack Obama's book 'A promised land' as I did!

    Stunning. Surreal. BIG... Dunno what to make of Vegas yet, but it is extraordinary...

    Next day a chilled morning by the amazing pools. Pacing ourselves a bit with some sinusitis and the 35*C heat!

    Highlight of the kids' day may have been the sweet shop (I just sat down and left Michelle in charge...45mins of my life I'll never get back!)

    Then we went out in the evening to see the new Little Mermaid film on IMAX - lot cheaper than most of the entertainment in Vegas!

    Off to Zion in the morning...!    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    1Leo's cactii gardenAlvin!Leo was in his element , I could hardly keep up!1Breathtaking , and just the first afternoon preview!1These three... xoxoxo

    Arriving in Zion National Park

    May 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    “...He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.” Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬

    Got here about 2:30pm and managed to take in a bit of the Visitor Centre, then a drive up to Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel road and Leo and I went for a quick scamper up to the Canyon Overlook spot before driving back down to Zion for takeaway pizza.

    Leo showed epic Desert Big Horn Sheep skills (local wildlife we saw in the mountains on our walk) bounding along the path in double quick time.

    The scenery, especially in that 'golden hour' photographers love, was truly spectacular. Zion feels like God showing off!

    Lovely warm welcome at the Holiday Inn Express - really friendly people here in Springdale! (N.B: We are generally finding that 2-3 meals here feeds the whole family!)    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Ava looking the part as she looks to the mountains of Zion
    1Leo spotted so many of these lizards, this probably the best photo of its bright blue belly11A beautiful silhouette of a mountain ridge outside out hotel I captured after dinner one evening

    Looking to Zion's mountains

    May 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

    Super busy in Springdale today, ended up chilling and swimming in the morning before attempting a trail in the afternoon, which because of a closed bridge turned into a double trail...and quite a trial(!) 😕

    But still some astounding beauty to enjoy... And Leo counted 11 different animals/insects/reptiles we found, from Geckos to Turkeys!

    Beautiful silhouette of the mountain ridge near our hotel after dinner out with Ava watching the basketball...

    “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.” Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬-‭2‬‬‬    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler

    Zion: Slowing down with pool play

    May 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    I think God is consistently telling me to 'slow down' on Sabbatical...an example being that we are just chilling and playing together in the pool each morning here, rather than rushing out for activity...the opposite to my instinct to pack in as much as possible(!) - which was thwarted on our first morning here anyway...

    Perhaps there's a valuable lesson there. Play more. Slow down. Do more of what the kids want.

    Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good."    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    1Epic dadventure coming...but Ava was right , I did take too many photos!
    Some very tame geound squirrels at the end of the valleyMuch cooler climate where the canyon narrows and less sunlight bakes the groundJust WOW!

    Zion: E-Bike Dadventure

    May 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    “You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭12‬

    That's that decided then. E-Bikes are THE way to see Zion valley.

    Ava and I hired a couple for 3.5 hrs and went right to the end of the valley, spectacular scenery all the way (she put up with me taking a LOT of photos!)

    When you get to the end, called Temple of Sinawava, there's a walk to where the world famous Narrows walk begins (which unfortunately we can't do this time as the water flow is too fast) It's amazing to see how the climate changes as the valley Narrows, less sun gets to the valley floor and so the temperature lowers dramatically, the water flows down the sheer walls and allows all sorts of wildlife that wouldn't survive just a mile downstream.    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Sunglasses for cutlery
    11

    Zion: Noodles & Narrows

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Michelle forgot the forks, to which the kids announced, "Mum it's your job to remember EVERYTHING!"

    But we made do with sunglasses arms...and I summoned a little inner-Bear Grylls...

    Michelle and the kids then did the hike from Temple Sinawava to the start of The Narrows.Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    1That's where I'm headed...As the path steepened and narrowed, the views only got more amazingThat one's for Michelle!Amazing how large trees could grow in zero earth, taking centuries to wrap themselves around rocksThe glory of God's creation laid out before me. GratefulThe view towards SpringdaleThe view leading up the valley towards Temple of SinawavaAnother one for Michelle 😘Beauty on a grand scale, and small

    Zion: Angel's Landing

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Wow. Just wow.

    I entered a 'lottery' yesterday to get a limited pass to hike to Angel's Landing...and I got one!

    You needed a head for heights and you can see why they don't want the route overcrowded! I knew it was going to be challenging and fun and pretty spectacular, but nothing can prepare you for views like these...

    And sensed God speaking to me as I went up a mountain in the wilderness, to a peak called Angel's Landing, in a place called Zion, just down the valley from the 'Court of the Patriarchs'... to hear from Him and enjoy His creation, listening to Jamie's EP, praying, grinning and going 'WOW!' at every turn.    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    Turns out the squirrels loved these flowering cacti even more than we didTheodoreAgain, notice the roots following every rock crevice for stability and water1

    Zion: Lessons from the desert wildlife

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    - If you cling to the Rock and send your roots into Him, you can stand tall and thrive in the most unlikely situations.
    - Even in the desert you can bloom.
    - He will lead you by streams of living water.
    - Even the rocks cry out His praise.

    “Look at the eagles and mountain swifts. Look at the chipmunks, squirrels, deer and lizards. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

    Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the desert cacti and flowers and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬-‭30    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    This sign used to be a giant 'Z' for Zion, and its where the mail would be dropped from a plane!

    Zion: The sign that no-one can see!?

    May 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    I was looking at the mountains from the hotel and in the far distance I could just make out what looked like a large sign, but it was so far away there's no way anyone could see what was on it with the naked eye...!

    What's the point of a sign no-one can see?

    What's the point of a faith in Jesus that no-one can see except for a vague oddity in the far reaches of your life?

    (I used some binoculars to get the closer view - it's just a picture of some snow-capped Zion mountains! But who thought of putting it there...so far from view!? Why!?)    Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler

    Zion: Checkerboard Mesa

    May 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Point of interest as you leave Zion NP and chance for a photo with just Michelle because the kids didn't want to get out of the car!

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    2Love Chris's comment - "How could you walk away from a view like that!?" It was tough.
    1

    Horseshoe Bend

    May 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

    Sunset at Horseshoe bend near Page. Another day, another breathtaking view.

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    This shot/angle, when first captured, ended up netting the photographer millions of dollarsOther-worldly shapes and lighting at every turnThe seahorse

    Antelope Canyon

    May 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon just outside Page and it is hard to believe what you're seeing as the morning light bounces off the sandstone eroded by water and wind. It's beautiful. In the morning, when we went you get all those beautiful oranges and reds but also pinks and purples... it's glorious!Read more

  • Tufnell TravelsUSA 2023Traveler
    No photo can really do the vast scale of the Grand Canyon justiceAmazing spot at Powell Point for the sunset1🥰 beautiesWoke up at about 3am and couldn't get back to sleep, so thought I'd check out the 5:14am sunrise!It was freezing, so right after this photo I ran back to the car and then bed!

    The Grand Canyon

    May 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭8‬ ‭

    A couple of shots from the Desert Watchtower lookout as we arrived in the NP. Then sunset from Powell Point. And because I woke up at 3:30am and couldn't get back to sleep, I went for sunrise at Mather Point just after 5am.

    The sheer scale of the Canyon is hard to get your head around, in person let alone in photos... Some stats and facts:
    - The Grand Canyon is a mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide.
    -As the crow flies, Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and the lodge on the North Rim are only about 10 miles apart. However, to drive between them, you have to travel 215 miles (about 5 hours).
    - From the rim of the canyon to its lowest point, the temperature can change by more than 25 degrees. The depths of the gorge are notoriously hot during the summer, while the North Rim is often below freezing in winter. I can understand this, with the wind it was freezing at sunrise, later in the day it was over 30 degrees in the canyon.    Read more

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