So that's where you went? Tell us about your travels!

[RaymondG]

I think we can have a good time with this topic. I'm sure there are many members here who have done some travelling, both within their own countries and internationally.

The recent round of International Conventions would have engendered a lot of sightseeing and visiting places by some while work commitments and family get-togethers and reunions would have brought about more. Even if it's not recently.

So who has some good travel stories, with pictures of course?

And I will ask a favour of you all. Please try to not use pics of yourself with some great view in the background, let's see the great artistry of Jehovah as the focal point of the photos if at all possible.

Oh, yes, it is possible that some have made extensive tours while witnessing. Maybe as a Special Pioneer or other full time servant. A Circuit Overseer, perhaps?

Let's not forget, either, that some little local jaunt for you might be extremely interesting to someone around the other side of the world. So don't hold back if you went somewhere in your own 'backyard' for a weekend away.

I'll start the ball rolling with a bunch of sunrises and sunsets I took one weekend about 18 months ago... it would have been as I travelled to work that weekend, and some on the way back...

At a place called Graman we have our first pic:

Only thirty or so kilometres on at Delungra this was the vista as the sun went down:

On the way back early in the morning, out of Barraba I thought the fresh light coming in the sky was interesting:

Getting closer to Bingara the sunrise was developing nicely:

And as I went on I found that this creek enhanced the view as it filled the sky:

Shortly the growing light started to take the colours away:

Of course this thread isn't all for sunrises and sunsets, but for all kinds of scenic beauty. Over to you...

[New World Explorer]

Rodrigues (French: île Rodrigues) is an autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, about 560 kilometres (350 mi) east of Mauritius.It is part of the Mascarene Islands which include Mauritius and Réunion. It is of volcanic origin surrounded by coral reef, and just off its coast lie some tiny uninhabited islands.

It has beautiful congregation there ..  preaching is a pleasure... not much apathy and almost every housholder has a Bible.

I tried my french while preaching but after seeing BIG EYES   of the housholder I have quickly switched to english...

[RaymondG]

Ah, the Ile de France, somewhere I would never hope to go... until the New System...

It looks great, but you would need some form of passion to choose to go there, some reason other than sheer travelling for the sake of it.

The source of one of the great stories of Australian history, too. Thanks Greg.

[New World Explorer]

Ah, the Ile de France, somewhere I would never hope to go... until the New System...

It looks great, but you would need some form of passion to choose to go there, some reason other than sheer travelling for the sake of it.

The source of one of the great stories of Australian history, too. Thanks Greg.

I understand, but sometimes I choose "less touristy" places to visit.

Food is great over there too ! Local sausages with rum and honey - sun dried - those on the picture below not ready yet !

[Qapla]

During the trip I spoke about when we went to Colorado and ran out of gas and had to coast 9 miles to Estes Park - we also visited my Aunt and Uncle.My Dad was born in southern Colorado, near Alamosa. I still have some relatives living there. Don't really know how many. My Dad was the youngest of either 12 or 13 kids. However, since most of them were Mormons and clear across the Country, I have never met most of them.

 

Any way, while we were in the area, we did go to visit the Aunt and Uncle that I did know. The Brother I was traveling with wanted to visit quite a number of National Parks he had selected in the Arizona/Utah area, This worked out well for us since Alamosa is "in the area" - compared to Florida

 

Well, I asked him if he would like to go see the Great Sand Dunes National Park while were were right there in Colorado he had never heard of it. I had been to the park back in 1969 when I went out to visit the relatives with my Mother and Father - the park is only about an hour drive from where my Dad was born.  )'>

 

We went and he was amazed!

 

I will say, some things had changed from my first visit there. Well, the Dunes are always changing .... but, I was talking about the rules. When that Brother and I went, they had signs (and Rangers to make sure you do) that instructed you to "empty your pockets, cuffs, shoes and anything else that could "trap" sand - and you had to leave all that sand there.

 

When I was there in 1969 they did not do that. In fact, they even "let" you take sand, if you wanted. So ..... I have a nice souvenir that, today, you cannot have .... I have a Quart Jar full of sand from there.

 

To give you a better idea where this National Park is:

 

 

 

From their website - The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Experience this diversity through hiking, sand sledding, splashing in Medano Creek, wildlife watching, and more!

 

 

And here are a couple of pictures of what it looks like

 

 

Additional Pictures can be seen here

Edited December 29, 2014 by Qapla

[New World Explorer]

During the trip I spoke about when we went to Colorado and ran out of gas and had to coast 9 miles to Estes Park - we also visited my Aunt and Uncle.My Dad was born in southern Colorado, near Alamosa. I still have some relatives living there. Don't really know how many. My Dad was the youngest of either 12 or 13 kids. However, since most of them were Mormons and clear across the Country, I have never met most of them.

 

Any way, while we were in the area, we did go to visit the Aunt and Uncle that I did know. The Brother I was traveling with wanted to visit quite a number of National Parks he had selected in the Arizona/Utah area, This worked out well for us since Alamosa is "in the area" - compared to Florida

 

Well, I asked him if he would like to go see the Great Sand Dunes National Park while were were right there in Colorado he had never heard of it. I had been to the park back in 1969 when I went out to visit the relatives with my Mother and Father - the park is only about an hour drive from where my Dad was born.  )'>

 

We went and he was amazed!

 

I will say, some things had changed from my first visit there. Well, the Dunes are always changing .... but, I was talking about the rules. When that Brother and I went, they had signs (and Rangers to make sure you do) that instructed you to "empty your pockets, cuffs, shoes and anything else that could "trap" sand - and you had to leave all that sand there.

 

When I was there in 1969 they did not do that. In fact, they even "let" you take sand, if you wanted. So ..... I have a nice souvenir that, today, you cannot have .... I have a Quart Jar full of sand from there.

 

To give you a better idea where this National Park is:

 

map.jpg

 

 

 

 

And here are a couple of pictures of what it looks like

 

GSD-Gov.jpgGSD.jpg

 

Additional Pictures can be seen here

FEW WORDS !    I love it !   

[RaymondG]

I could go there next trip... I've earmarked another visit to Pikes Peak and a look at the North side of the Grand Canyon as being a part of that jaunt, I'm also told that the drive down the Western side of the Rockies and through Durango is very pretty.

Another great thing about travel is learning.

Like seeing a chipmunk for the first time...

...or learning how transparent a squirrel's tail is:

Actually, I have a better one than that, but finding it might be an issue.

And you simply have to learn more history, it's a great experience to travel widely.

[Qapla]

On our trip we went to both, Pikes Peak and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon -

[RaymondG]

You must be insatiable!

Brilliant views from Pikes Peak, inspiring Grand Canyon. And there must have been other stuff in between... maybe the Grand Escalantes or Monument Valley?

[ava]

I could go there next trip... I've earmarked another visit to Pikes Peak and a look at the North side of the Grand Canyon as being a part of that jaunt, I'm also told that the drive down the Western side of the Rockies and through Durango is very pretty

 

 

Brother Ray,

 

Drive US Hwy 550 from Durango to Silverton Colorado. It's simply breathtaking, no words to describe the views you will see.

[Qapla]

You must be insatiable!

Brilliant views from Pikes Peak, inspiring Grand Canyon. And there must have been other stuff in between... maybe the Grand Escalantes or Monument Valley?

 

We went to Colorado from Ames, Iowa. When we got close to Denver, we decided to stay on I80 after passing Ogallala, Nebraska just so we could say we went through Wyoming. We went to Rocky Mountain National Park and drove on Trail Ridge Road - then hiking up Longs Peak - camping overnight at Jim's Grove in a tent (you go above the tree line, then back down into "short" versions of the trees to Jim's Grove)

 

We also went to Colorado Springs and drove to the summit of Pikes Peak. Then, it was off to my Aunt's house and the Great Sand Dunes.

 

From there, we really had a time. We were at the Arches National Park for sunrise. Then, we drove to Bryce Canyon for sunset - and stayed the night there ... in the tent.

 

We spent the morning looking around Bryce Canyon then drove to Zion Canyon. Then it was off to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

 

I should also mention that somewhere out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere, the car broke down ... on Sunday afternoon. We had a CB radio and called for assistance. Some guy heard us, drove out of his way and towed us to an auto salvage yard he knew would be open. I had to replace the harmonic balancer on the car.

 

We finished up by going to Albuquerque and Santa Fe then, it was straight, non-stop back to Jacksonville, Florida.

[ava]

Our best road trip was in 2005.  We left Texas and drove north through Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota.  We then went West to Montana and came home through Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and back to TX.  This trip took us 15 days and if I remember we drove 6000 miles.  We camped all the way, every night we stayed at a National Park or a State Park.  It was an amazing trip.

Edited December 30, 2014 by ava

[RaymondG]

Several people told me during my first trip that the drive down to Durango was a fantastic trip...

I never found out which road, so thanks for that. We ran out of time to get there that trip (Pikes Peak was still in the planning at the time) and also my last trip. Next time the last two days or so of my trip will be to go to Phoenix and then across to San Diego and up to LA, so I'll go from Durango down to the North Rim and then around to Phoenix.

In the interim I'll introduce a little more Australian scenery...

I've mentioned previously that things that are left to fall down interest me, this is in the New England district of New South Wales, an old farm house that's been replaced:

The New England is distinctive in Australia as being one of few places where the autumnal colours come into play in a big way. This is in a street in Armidale:

This pic isn't mine but one from someone I met one day, it's out near Lightning Ridge in Nort-Western NSW and it shows the water still lying across the road some months after a flood had gone through:

How would you like to have to take a 70km detour every time you wanted to go to town?

[surfergirl]

Hey awesome post Raymonde G.

I haven' t travelled abroad just Aussie.

I will post some pics later.

Gregexplorer the color of the waTer is soooooo!!! Awesome.

[New World Explorer]

This is my often visited place - Wilsons Prom - Victoria

 

The Prom is one of Victoria’s most-loved places.

At the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, it offers spectacular scenery of huge granite mountains, open forest, rainforest, sweeping beaches and coastlines.

The waters surrounding the Prom are protected as a marine national park and marine park and offer outstanding diving.

 

[RaymondG]

Thanks, Greg, I've never been to Wilson's Promentary, though my parents almost did...

Actually, we were scheduled to go there during our family holiday in 1955 but our timetable got loused up by rain and a need to stick to dates we'd given my grandmother in case my grandfather had health problems. But later, around the mid-eighties, my parents and my younger sister and her husband drove on down there.

They got to the park entry and found there was an admission charge and didn't go in!

I look forward to seeing what Gabe comes up with too...

[New World Explorer]

Thanks, Greg, I've never been to Wilson's Promentary, though my parents almost did...Actually, we were scheduled to go there during our family holiday in 1955 but our timetable got loused up by rain and a need to stick to dates we'd given my grandmother in case my grandfather had health problems. But later, around the mid-eighties, my parents and my younger sister and her husband drove on down there.They got to the park entry and found there was an admission charge and didn't go in!I look forward to seeing what Gabe comes up with too...

It's free entry now ... But even if I had to pay it again I would still go ... Wilsons Prom has amazing bush walks and beaches

This is my little paradise in this system ... I never get bored of this place .. There is always something to discover there and the photo presents just a tiny fraction of this beatuful park .. I will post more photos ..

[surfergirl]

hey guys well. I took this pic yesterday. Located of the Royal National Park at the foothills leading to Wollongong & South coast end.

runs of Lady Wakehurst drive.

Is Ottford. My Favorite run going up through Stanwell park is a windy road surrounded by Trees. Is mentally refreshing.

 

Don't worry I don't like Selfies. 

[New World Explorer]

hey guys well. I took this pic yesterday. Located of the Royal National Park at the foothills leading to Wollongong & South coast end.

runs of Lady Wakehurst drive.

Is Ottford. My Favorite run going up through Stanwell park is a windy road surrounded by Trees. Is mentally refreshing.

 

Don't worry I don't like Selfies. 3.jpg

Looks similar to Victorian Great Ocean Road ...  thanks for posting !

[surfergirl]

Located out the back of Nowra On the West side is a place called Yawal. Is an amazing Place I didn't know existed. Good for 4WD & there are free camping spots located near the river. 

we were there this time last week.

 

 

 

 

We stay at a place called Honeymoon Bay. Is located on Beecroft Shooting & the Army use this area to practice their skills.

But during the Holidays they let people camp.

 

Also is Long Beach is tucked away of Jervis Bay. Is long & Loads of Pearly white sand similar to the Whitesundays.

WhiteHaven Beach.

[surfergirl]

After going to the convention in October we went & stay a place Ocean Grove.

In Victoria. Love this coastline...

View from the white house we stayed at.

 

Then we went back & revisted Lochard Gorge fantastic Place

 

 

Plus we visited the 12 Apostles again. Or whats left but man they sure do give Jehovah glory with his creation

 

I can't choose the photo they are all my favs.

[surfergirl]

I didn't know Geelong is by the sea. Beautiful place

 

This is Bellambi on a grey day. But is about 10 streets away from me.

 

at Greg I have often thought the same as you. My coastline is similar to the Great Ocean Rd.

Amazing places.

[surfergirl]

Up the back of Victorian Alps.

Mitchell's Lookout. I love this place. My Maiden name is Mitchell. I LOVE!!! Victoria

 

 

 

I have visited a loads of places. I have a few to share. Thanks for the reminder Raymond G.

Edited December 30, 2014 by surfergirl

[surfergirl]

Last year we travelled the Nullabor.

these pics are of South Australia side.

 

 

Of Bright is where the whales come to breed. Before heading north.

 

 

These cliffs are Limestone

 

[steeringwheel]

Our best road trip was in 1987. I had built a camper on small pickup, and we traveled & camped out for 3 weeks. Leaving Texas, we headed East. In Georgia, we camped at beautiful state park with waterfalls. We spent one day hiking down to falls, then over to another, but it was a climb to come back up. Later, we made it to West Virginia; where my mother's side of family is from. We met up with my cousin & he drove his 4-wheel drive Jeep back to where family farm used to be outside Walton. ( I would still like to live there, except in winter ).  Next big stop was to visit all of Bethel ( in those days). We did a tour of NYC, which was well worth it. It included Empire State Bldg, China Town & meal, ferry ride to Liberty Statute. On the ride, tour guide even pointed to WT sign & announced to everyone that this was worldwide HQ for JW's. I later told him he should take a tour of it. We had camped in New Jersey side, so, of course we also toured Jersey City assembly hall. Going into NY, we tried the various transportation, subway, bus & taxi. Yep, they drive on sidewalks like movies. Leaving this area, we went north to Niagara Falls, staying few days in Canada. Going across border, they were skeptical that we didn't have gun with us, as our license plates from Texas ( & that was 1987 ). Coming back south, we stopped to visit relatives & friends in Ohio; around where I grew up. We also made several stops in Tenn.; spending one night in hotel in either Nashville or Memphis. Getting back closer to Texas, we took tour of bayou in Louisiana, plantation homes & New Orleans. It was best trip we ever had & spent less that $1,000.  We have since had every sort of camper; but plan to build another camper on pickup myself.