USA 2023 | FindPenguins

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USA 2023 Traveler
Skydiving the Grand Canyon!
June 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭

One of my bucket list items ticked off in Grand style...and it almost never happened.

When I arrived at the airport at 8am it was drizzling and I was told that the jump was off. I was pretty gutted, asked if the weather forecast showed it might clear but was told not.

But when the weather did clear up after the trip back to Yavapai Lodge I gave them a call and they said I could come back! So off I rushed, the rest you can see.

We jumped from even higher than planned (17,200ft) and I even got to control the parachute for some of the descent! Such fun! Blessed! But I'm not sure I'd do it again!Read more
TravelerOh wow! So pleased you got to do it
6/2/23Reply
TravelerWonder how long the dive lasted….Glad you did it but I think you may have felt a bit queasy? Seemed a bit bumpy in parts!
6/2/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
Chilling in Palm Springs
June 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭3‬a

After a lot of travelling and a lot of activity we decided to take full advantage of a beautiful Villa at Marriott Desert Springs Resort and enjoying the pool, air-conditioned kids hangout space (it was 35*C outside!) and other free activities... And the Boom Boom Shrimp at the pool grill was yummy!

Another highlight was Joy and Leo taking part in the Lip Sync battle, Joy singing "Naughty" from Matilda and Leo "I like to move it, move it" 🤣👏🏻Read more
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USA 2023 Traveler
Meeting the Hellebronths at Rock Harbour
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
In the most wonderful, extraordinary 'God-incidence' we went to visit Rockharbour Church, had a great sermon from Glenn Packiam (& free doughnuts!) but the highlight was that great friends Luke and Anna Hellebronth from HTB Students were guest worship leaders there for the day! A total joy!Read more
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USA 2023 Traveler
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Dana Point
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
For the last few days of our trip we're back in beautiful Dana Point and at the Cattos spectacular home.

And the beach is beautiful, got to swim in the Pacific and face some nice big waves! Us southern Tufnells love the beach and I love the bracing cold of the sea, it refreshes your soul as well your body.Read more
Traveler Well done Leo…running along the beach with neither foot on the ground!
6/5/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
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Disney California Adventure Park
June 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Our daytime adventures from Day 1 at Disneyland, (the Disney California Adventure Park used to be known as Disney Studios)

We started with the white water rapids ride - slow-mo video of Michelle and Leo is hysterical!

A fantastic day, Michelle loved meeting the characters and the show (see next footprint). And I was more about the rides - Joy and Leo tried their first rollercoaster. Fair to say Leo takes after me and Joy after Michelle on their enjoyment of those!Read more
Traveler Delightful pictures!
6/6/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
Disney California Adventure Park show
June 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
I have to hand it to them...the creativity and spectacle of Disney's closing shows are next level. All the images and videos you see are projected onto water with light, no screens. Breathtaking.
TravelerIncredible! What a treat. Granny
6/7/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
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Dana Point whale watching
June 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
What a privilege to be amongst the few people in the world who have seen a blue whale...even if from a distance, we were close to the largest animal to have ever existed on the planet... Some interesting facts about blue whales below...

- Blue whales around here usually grow up to 95ft, they can reach well over 100ft in southern hemisphere.
- Their tongues alone weigh 2 tonnes, as much as an adult African elephant.
- Tail… is actually called the Fluke… Flukes are typically 12ft across, the size of a football goal.
- The heart of a blue whale is the size of small car, a human being could crawl through the aorta…
- It's song is 188db, lower frequency than we can hear, but louder than a jet taking off and will travel 500 miles under the water easily.
- Before vessel traffic on the oceans it is thought it was so loud and couple travel so far undisturbed that blue whales could sing to one another from pole to pole!!!!
- The T-Rex roar typically in Hollywood films is a blue whale song played backwards and sped up!Read more
Traveler Part of the 1%,
6/7/23Reply
Traveler Oops, meant to add: you got the badge! Nice keepsakes you’ve been collecting!
6/7/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
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Plants of Dana Wharf
June 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This one's for mum really!

There's incredible beauty in creation wherever you walk slowly and pay attention.
Traveler Beautiful! You Michael, may not remember it but the pictures remind me very much of the Botanical Gardens we visited in Monaco. So many of the cacti were gigantic as well as amazingly beautiful when one looked at the detail. Thanks
6/7/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
Disneyland
June 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Our second day at Disney, this time at Disneyland California. So great to get professionally taken pics as part of our Genie+ passes.

Another rollercoaster for Leo and Ava who enjoyed the runaway railway - do check out the video. Shame winds were too high for fireworks and a few attractions were closed but still a lovely day together.Read more
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USA 2023 Traveler
Star wars at Disneyland
June 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Okay, this is shamelessly Mike's post but the Star Wars themed area of Disneyland was AMAZING! You really felt like you were in a set, amazing, characters walking round, amazing models, just a shame 'Rise of the Resistance' ride was broken down most of the day, so missed that.Read more
TravelerWell what a holiday of a lifetime and many wonderful memories. And so glad you’re not staying there! Welcome home, really looking forward to making a time when we can see you again. Much love and sleep well. xxxxx
6/9/23Reply
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USA 2023 Traveler
Farwell Dana Point, we love you!
June 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
A last look back at the Cattos home as we loaded into the taxi to the airport. What a holiday. Hearts full. Memories made. Family blessings.
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Trip end
June 9, 2023