Friday, October 28, 2016

2 FOR 1 SALE!!! (HAVASU FALLS)

We have 10 permits remaining for our Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip that starts in 3 weeks so we are running a 2 for 1 SALE!!

Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to one of the most extraordinary locations within the Grand Canyon!!

I doubt we will ever be able to offer this great of a deal again!! But we would rather see the trip filled up then have any unused permits.

Trip Dates: Nov 18-23 (you will be home in time for Thanksgiving!)

Cost: 2 people for $799

Website Link: http://gtdbullhorn.blogspot.com/p/havasu-falls.html?m=1

When Registering select the $799 option and you will automatically be signed up for 2 people (simply add their name and contact info into the appropriate spot on the Registration Form)

Hope you can join us on this God-awesome adventure!!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

GTD, Welcome To FLAGSTAFF! (New Gear Cache Location!!)


We are excited to announce that GTD has chosen beautiful Flagstaff, AZ as our next Gear Cache location! Flagstaff is a wise and strategic choice for GTD for several reasons (but especially because of its location, location, location). It's the largest city near the Grand Canyon to which we've offered yearly trips since 2011. We have multiple airports to choose from which increases flexibility, options, and cost savings opportunities (Phoenix is only 2 hours away, Las Vegas is 3.5 hours away, Albuquerque is 4.5 hours away, and Flagstaff itself has a local airport that is serviced by American Airlines). Flagstaff is also located within "The Grand Circle" which has the highest concentration of National Parks & National Monuments (as well as a phenomenal network of scenic byways) inside the United States! It seems like almost all of our trips out west pass through or near this wonderful city so, in many ways, Flagstaff is a natural choice as GTD's next Gear Cache location. We are thrilled about the growth, development, and outreach that we believe will result from this!

What is a GTD Gear Cache location? It is a strategic location in which we store (also known as: "cache") camping and adventure gear so that GTD can more efficiently and cost effectively provide Christ-centered group outings at spectacular nearby destinations. Instead of having to transport all of our gear from Florida each trip a gear cache enables us to save time, money, and tons of extra effort by being easily and readily available for use at a moment's notice. This "ease of access" also enables us to potentially run events year round instead of being limited to only certain weeks of the year. This obviously increases our ministry potential and fruitfulness. Our Gear Caches are covered by insurance and stored in professional temperature controlled private secure storage units in safe locations.

This means many more GTD events out west!! Praise the Lord!

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Monday, October 24, 2016

Monday Morning, Funday Morning

Monday morning breakfast at Trip's Diner with our BFF (and part timer)! Great way to start the work week =)

Monday, October 17, 2016

WE DID IT! OUR FIRST 14'er!!

On our last full day in Colorado we hiked one of the state's 14,000 ft mountains (there are 54 "14'ers" in Colorado and it has become a popular challenge among hiking enthusiasts). This one is named, "Handies Peak" and it's located outside of Lake City, CO.

It was a phenomenal experience within an unbelievable day. We will have to share the full story about the entire day when we get time. But it ended with a Google Maps fiasco that caused us to drive 9 hrs to get 38 miles (from 8:30pm till 5:30am). We are EXHAUSTED!!

Check out the pics and see if this is a challenge you would like to do one day.

I'm so proud of Laurie!! She led the entire trek and CRUSHED IT!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

HIKING the Via Ferrata in Telluride, Colorado (Part 2)

I can't describe this hike better than the pictures do... you've just got to see it to believe it!!

(So impressed with Laurie!)

Saturday, October 15, 2016

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! (Via Ferrata - Part 1)

I've been bungee jumping, skydiving, rappelling, blah, blah, blah, but THIS may have been the most adventurous and scariest thing I've EVER done!

Yesterday Laurie and I spent 5 1/2 hrs HIKING the Via Ferrata in Telluride, Colorado (this wasn't rock climbing, this was a day hike!). It's one of the most rare and most gnarly hikes in the United States! It's a hike along a cliff that requires special protective gear as you clip onto safety cables to prevent falling hundreds of feet. At times the trail completely disappears (as seen in this picture) and you have to hike on metal brackets that have been bolted into the side of the cliff!

This is one of the main activities that drew me to this part of Colorado, and it EXCEEDED every expectation! Of course there is SO MUCH MORE to Telluride, Colorado than this hike, but this is such a rare, once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list adventure that it alone is worth the visit.

We have a lot more amazing pictures to share from this hike. Stay tuned!

Friday, October 14, 2016

WOW!

These old coal mining towns are nothing less than modern day gems!

Stopped in Ouray, Colorado for a coffee as we travel to Telluride. Another wonderful small town surrounded by unmatched beauty!

The entire drive is a nonstop feast for the eyes!!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!

Mesa Verde National Park! (Coming 2017!)

Just outside of Durango, Colorado lies one of the most unique National Parks in the United States called Mesa Verde. Within this big beautiful scenic landscape are several remarkably well preserved cliff dwellings which were built by and inhabited by generations of Ancestral Pueblo people for over 750 years.

We enjoyed a fascinating tour of one of these cliff dwellings which included multiple ladder climbs, small cave crawls, Ranger led education, and an upclose hands-on exploration of the actual building itself. It's an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This is one National Park that you will want to include on your Bucket List and GTD is excited to include this as part of our inaugural trip to Colorado in 2017!

GTD's COLORADO RECON!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

COLORADO RECON!

Pristine lakes, high peaks, dramatic skies, majestic views, endless adventures... THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

AND THE NEXT DestiNATION IS...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

We are excited to announce that GTD's newest Trip DestiNATION for 2017 is.... COLORADO!!!!

There are so many things to LOVE about colorful Colorado! It's natural beauty and abundance of adventure opportunities combined with the bucket list desire of so many people to visit this spectacular state makes it an ideal fit for GTD's list of Trip DestiNATIONs.

Our specific area of interest right now is the southwest section of Colorado centered around Durango, Silverton, and Telluride.

Laurie and I are spending a week here reconning and piecing together the perfect trip. The pictures we post will speak volumes of why this place is so special and worthy of focus.

To keep costs to a minimum we have combined this recon trip with our last 2 ministry trips (Utah & the Grand Canyon) and utilized travel points and discount plans. No additional cost was needed for flights. Our rental car was greatly discounted. And our accommodations are very inexpensive. We are making most of our meals just like we would back home. The low expense for this recon is a great investment for our future (much like the Utah and Grand Canyon recons were) and we believe it will open many doors of opportunities for GTD in 2017 and beyond.

We believe God is opening doors for future impacts and we are thrilled at what lies ahead and what He has in store.

Keep checking back for pictures, posts, and updates as we strive to build Christ-centered events to once-in-a-lifetime destinations so that God can impact lives for His Kingdom and His glory!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

EPIC FINAL ADVENTURE OF THE TRIP!

KAYAKING 15 MILES ON THE COLORADO RIVER AND CAMPING AT THE BASE OF HORSESHOE BEND!!!

UNFORGETTABLE!!

GTD's Grand Canyon NORTH RIM Trip 2016