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Ready to head back to our quiet, restful home today! It’s been a good four days in the city, but the fun is done. A dinner cruise on the Hudson was our choice on the third night, and last night we saw the new musical version of “The Great Gatsby.” After four straight nights on the town, we’re ready for some porch sitting time in Tennessee, just listening to the cicadas and enjoying sunsets together on these last few fleeting days of summer. We always love New York, but we know where we belong!
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All of your kind comments and congratulations on Doug’s earlier post noting our 52nd anniversary are very appreciated. We decided to mark the occasion with a four day weekend trip to New York. On Friday night we navigated our way out to UBS Arena to see Nate Bargatze. It was an adventure just getting there, and Nate was hilarious. We haven’t laughed that much in a very long time!Last night, Radio City Music Hall was the location for the “Les Miserables Concert Spectacular,” commemorating 40 years of the popular musical. WOW sums it up pretty well. We’re not sure we’re ever seen anything any better…excellence in every aspect. Superb voices, top notch orchestra, incredible special effects…all coming together in an elegant, historic venue. The show kicked off here in NYC, and will do a world tour over the next several months. If it comes to a city near you, we highly recommend it!
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For some reason, my thoughts are in Italy this morning. Oh, the memories of springtime in Tuscany. WE WERE YOUNG THEN!As you might imagine, we have thousands of pictures from Italy in our portfolio. If you'd like to add a piece of art with "old world flare," and Italy fits the bill, contact us to talk about a custom order piece. The process is fun and easy as we create just what you have in mind.
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If you are a parent, you know how exciting it can be to watch your small children experience something for the first time. I can say that the thrill doesn't fade even when your children are adults. But really it doesn't even have to be your family. Sharing this amazing experience with anyone you love is full of special moments that you will never forget.It has now been about five weeks since we returned from taking our four kids to Tanzania. What an incredible journey to share together! As I reflect on the shared experience, I realize once again how important it is to make memories with those you love and to cherish those times together.Next June's safari trip will be the first time that we have two complete families traveling with us. Both families have teenagers, and we're looking forward to this new group dynamic. We still have six openings and would love to have you join us. WE HAVE A FIRM DEADLINE OF AUGUST 31 TO MAKE THE DEPOSIT AND HOLD YOUR SPOTS.(I appreciate your indulgence as I share a bit of our recent journey through pictures. I find myself wishing we could do it all over again!)
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Good morning! We are looking forward to returning to Prince Edward Island in about three weeks. Consider becoming a follower of this page and come along with us as we enjoy the maritime region of Canada.
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Click on the link to see first hand what all the fuss is about! We are thrilled and excited to announce that Instinct Tours now offers a BRAND NEW SOUTHERN CIRCUIT SAFARI, exploring three less-traveled national parks in Tanzania.Adventure at its best! If you have already seen The Serengeti, consider coming with us in September 2027 to visit Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks on this special, inaugural journey. This one is filling fast...very few spots left!thisphotojourney.com/index.php/instinct-tours-southern-circuit/
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We will be doing our monthly grant disbursement to Unity School soon. There is money for food, kitchen fuel, school uniforms, and a bit of undesignated funds. We pay the same wire fee whether the total disbursement is large or small, so if you would like to share a few dollars with the school to add to this grant disbursement, that would be great. It is easy to do via the Charity's Donate page in the link below (especially the Venmo link since we pay a smaller fee with our Venmo and PayPal charity accounts). Meanwhile, Makinda shared two high-priority needs - A complete new roof for the school before the rainy season and tuition support for a specified list of students. I will be sharing the details with the charity's board of directors today or tomorrow, but the roof project is expected to cost right around $18,000. We will be planning a fundraising effort for this critical need and will share details soon. thisphotojourney.com/donate
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LET'S GO!!!All I can say is WOW!! So much interest right now in our Tanzania safaris for 2027. If you are considering coming with us in February, June, August, or September next year, you only have about five more weeks to decide. (Right now it's looking like our brand new Southern Circuit Tour will fill up.)Deadline for 2027 deposits is August 31st. Check out the Great Migration safari here: thisphotojourney.com/index.php/instinct-tours-great-migration-safari-2027/
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Another satisfying day yesterday as we delivered and hung two more large, framed canvases! "Canopy of Oaks," taken at Wormsloe Plantation just outside of Savannah, and "Mountains Mighty," a favorite of our own Great Smoky Mountains, have now found their new home in Cleveland. Once hung, the images looked like they were always meant to be in the dining room and guest bedroom of the beautiful home of Beth and Ray Shelton. It was a good week for Marcy's Photo Journey!
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Over the last few years, we have traveled extensively and photographed both close to home and far and wide. As a result, our portfolio contains tens of thousands of stunning images.We would love to consult with you about updating your office space! Have a theme in mind? Great Smoky Mountains? US National Parks? Great Cities of Europe? Lighthouses? Rural Americana Barns and Farms? Safari Moments? These are only a few of the grand possibilities available.We're confident that both your employees and your clients will enjoy the change! Contact us for a free consultation.
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It was such a pleasure to deliver and install this huge, 72 X 48 custom metal image at Kodak Dental Care today! After looking through a 50 image slide show of Smoky Mountains photographs, "New Mercies" was the choice of Dr. Noelan Schafer. Taken from Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) at sunrise, the metal version has exceptional depth and detail, and we couldn't be more pleased with the impact it makes on the office wall. Marcy's Photo Journey now has artwork in two dental offices and a law firm in Knoxville. Doug and I would love to help you breathe new life into your work space. Every piece carries with it a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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Response has been terrific to our August/September Great Migration and Southern Circuit Safari experiences for 2027! You simply cannot go wrong with Instinct Tours. Contact us with your email if you'd like to receive information.(Still going through images from the June trip, and I LOVE THIS LITTLE GUY! We were lucky to see baboon troops several times, and there were so many babies to enjoy.)
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MORE BREAKING NEWS!!Doug and I are very happy to announce a BRAND NEW OPTION available for September, 2027. Arnold Makinda and Instinct Tours now offer a second itinerary that explores three parks in southern Tanzania. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ENJOYED TARANGIRE, SERENGETI, AND NGORONGORO CRATER AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WILDLIFE ADVENTURE, we now offer "Tanzania's Southern Circuit." This inaugural journey that explores Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks is scheduled for September 4-14 next year and is offered at a special introductory rate. The new safari can be done separately or back to back with The Great Migration Safari taking place the last of August. We already have several previous guests who are interested in joining us, and group size is limited to 16. We'd love to send you the itinerary and price details for this exciting NEW ADVENTURE. Please let us know if you have interest!(The image below, "Three Little Monkeys," is a favorite photo from our last Tanzania safari. It captures the contentment and joy experienced at the end of a great day, as the sun is setting and vehicles are headed back to camp for the night.)
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GREAT NEWS!Yesterday we heard from our dear friend Arnold Makinda of Instinct Tours that we can keep enrollment open for both February and June 2027 Tanzania safaris through August 31st. We are also continuing to accept guests for the Great Migration tour in August 2027 as well.Contact us through private message or leave a comment below if you would like detailed information regarding itineraries, costs, accommodations, and flights. I am serious when I say that this experience will be one of the best things you have ever done! Check out the website at instincttours.com.
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Jackals in the road! Black backed jackals are fairly common to see while on safari, but it's not always a situation for great photos because they are often in high grasses or running away when they are spotted. On this beautiful morning, we came upon two jackals right in the middle of the road in front of our vehicle. They actually hung around long enough for us to get some pictures and observe their behavior for several minutes.TIME IS RAPIDLY RUNNING OUT FOR YOU TO JOIN US ON SAFARI IN 2027! WE CAN ONLY TAKE GUESTS FOR FEBRUARY AND JUNE THROUGH JULY 15TH. Two weeks (all inclusive) for $7785 plus flights. Travel with Instinct Tours and Marcy's Photo Journey for the adventure of a lifetime!
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A lion sighting is always filled with exciting safari moments! The event often begins with eagle eye spotter, Arnold Makinda, seeing the subject sound asleep. (Lions spend 16-20 hours of every day sleeping, and often they are in a very deep sleep, totally oblivious to what is going on around them.) On this day in The Serengeti, we were treated to a bonus sighting...a lion pair, both male and female. They were fairly close to the road, and we had a great vantage point, but they were in an unusual position, lying head to head. The hope is always that the lion will wake up and give us an opportunity for a great picture, but on this day, that never happened. Look through the series of images below to see this sighting from beginning to end. After we had watched the pair for several minutes, he roused up a bit and raised his head, giving us all a thrill and hope that he might be getting up. Instead, he flopped back down and resumed his nap. She never moved.
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Look what I found while going through safari pictures this afternoon! I had no idea when I took the photo that the little guy was peeking out under his mom. I always love surprises like this!
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I wish I could adequately convey just how much fun a day on safari can be with Instinct Tours! Since pictures really do talk louder and better than words, I invite you to take a look at a typical day through the lens of my camera.There are not many days left to get in on the fun for 2027! We will have to close our enrollment window by mid July in order to be able to secure the best accommodations for our guests. We would love to send you some information or talk with you personally to answer any questions or concerns you may have. DON'T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY!(For best viewing and commentary on pictures, click on each picture to see full screen. ALL SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED. INVITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO FOLLOW THIS PAGE!)
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Perspective...Our other leopard sighting was a little more difficult to photograph. The tree where he was located was quite a bit farther from the road, and the park rangers were doing a controlled burn in the background that was making our leopard nervous, although it did add a nice dimension to some of the photos. During our trip, I enjoyed sharing my camera equipment with Jared, and on this encounter, he had the longest lens and was able to reach three times the distance of my telephoto (28-300 mm) lens. The first photos with most of the tree showing were the perspective I had, but Jared was able to capture the leopard descending this time. In these images, it's very obvious that having a longer reaching lens can be a key factor when the wildlife is far away.
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A few more from the surprise giraffe sighting as we were leaving Tarangire National Park. We usually do see a whole lot of giraffes on safari, and these incredible animals never cease to put a smile on my face. I LOVE THEM.
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One of my favorite giraffe encounters of all time! Imagine coming up over a hill and witnessing this special moment. Although we were not in the most ideal vantage point with the morning light, I love this image. I was only able to get one shot before the moment was over. These two little ones are some of the youngest giraffes I've ever seen!
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Double the fun of an African safari adventure by asking friends or family to join you! Our 2027 trips are getting a lot of interest, and we'd love to tell you all about this incredible experience before we fill up.Contact us for details!
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I maintain that giraffes are my favorite safari animals, but my favorite animals to photograph are definitely leopards. On this trip, we once again had two leopard sightings on different days.On this afternoon, we hadn't really seen much and were headed back to camp. Spirits seemed to be a little lower than usual, and we were all pretty quiet as we scanned the fields and trees hoping for more wildlife sightings. Arnold Makinda, our guide and "super spotter" somehow managed to see this beautiful leopard in a dense acacia tree a long ways from the road. It took a while for the rest of us to even be able to see it and then zero in with our lenses. It didn't take long, howeer, for hearts to start beating a little faster, and spirits rose instantly giving us new energy and enthusiasm for the rest of the afternoon.View full screen and read accompanying commentary for best experience. INTEREST IS NOW HIGH FOR 2027 SAFARIS!! CONTACT US FOR DETAILS ABOUT ITINERARIES AND PRICING, IF YOU WANT TO BE IN ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME NEXT YEAR. FIND OUT FIRST HAND WHY Instinct Tours IS THE BEST OPTION OUT THERE.
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We arrived safely home late yesterday afternoon. When I left home two weeks ago, I thought I would follow my usual routine while in Tanzania and post safari animals often so that you could follow along and enjoy what we were seeing. However, once we got there, all I wanted to do was enjoy every minute with our family, and, although I took plenty of images, I quickly decided I could just catch up with the wildlife documentation once I returned.While the memories are still completely fresh in my mind, I wanted to post today to let everyone know the status of next year's trips. As most of you probably already know, we will be escorting three adventure safaris in 2027 during the months of February, June, and August. As of right now, we have nine spaces left for February, seven for June, and there is still plenty of room in the August trip. We have to close enrollment for both February and June by July 15th, so if you are considering being a part of Tanzania 2027, we need to hear from you ASAP.Cost is $7785 plus flights, and a $2000 deposit will hold your place, with remaining balance due 90 days before departure. I encourage you to click on the following link to see what previous guests are saying about Instinct Tours. www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297913-d27427734-Reviews-Instinct_Tours_Tanzania_Safaris-A...
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After two cozy nights at Embalaki Camp, we’re saying goodbye and moving to central Serengeti’s Little Pure Camp. Once again, we have a great group of travelers. States represented are Maine, Texas, California, and, of course, Tennessee!
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Good morning from central southern Serengeti. “His mercies are new every morning”!
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SUNRISE OVER THE SERENGETI! Our family really enjoyed the balloon ride, beginning with a gorgeous sunrise and ending in a bountiful bush breakfast. Doug and I will cherish memories made on this trip for the rest of our lives. What a blessing to spend time here with our kids!
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Our daughter Rachel captured this ostrich on a perfect Tanzania morning. We are so excited to have our family along on this adventure!
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Rachel enjoyed a welcome dance yesterday at the Maasai village visit. Today we’re on our way to Serengeti!
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The Tanzania Ten, 2026 as we enjoyed our first dinner together at Lake Duluti Lodge! The long journey over is behind us, and we’re feeling good.
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OH HAPPY DAY!When Doug and I first visited Africa in 2019, we knew we would be back, but we could have never imagined that we'd return to that amazing continent twelve times, visiting seven different countries along the way. We loved every trip, but Tanzania captured our hearts like no other location. Tomorrow we leave for our ninth trip to Tanzania, a place that has become very precious to us over the last few years. This trip is especially exciting as we are joined by our children and their spouses. A DREAM COME TRUE!You're invited to come along through Facebook once again by following this page over the next couple of weeks. We're really getting close to our most recent goal of 1700 followers, so if others decide to join in for this adventure, maybe we'll get there soon.SHARES ARE WELCOMED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!
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Have I ever mentioned how fabulous the birds are in Tanzania? STILL AVAILABLE DUE TO UNEXPECTED CANCELLATION---Spots for one couple or two singles on our EXCLUSIVE, FIRST CLASS September 2026 safari. Departing US September 17-18 and returning home on October 1st. LIMITED TO ONLY EIGHT GUESTS WITH FOUR PER VEHICLE, so there'll be plenty of room. This is a great situation for photographers who carry quite a bit of camera equipment and need space to move around and capture the best images. This trip is specifically scheduled to have an opportunity to see the GREAT MIGRATION and THE MARA RIVER CROSSING. We can only hold this open for another few days, so time is running out if you have any interest in jumping in on this very special safari. Let us know ASAP if you'd like to find out more. A real bargain for $7385 plus flights!
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PLEASE DON'T JUST SCROLL BY WITHOUT READING!Now only ten days from departure and still hoping to add to our ongoing tally of donations to Unity School in Arusha, Tanzania. WITH YOUR HELP, WE HAVE COLLECTED A TOTAL OF ALMOST $34,000! (since February 2024) Much has been done, but there are still many, many goals we hope to accomplish.As a direct result of your giving, enrollment has increased, hungry children are being fed, classrooms are being renovated, and test scores continue to rise. WAYS YOU CAN HELP:-Sponsor a child’s tuition: $330 provides one full school year- Provide a desk and chair: about $65 gives a child a proper place to learn- Support uniforms: One of our guests noticed that many of the children needed basic clothing support. Your $40 give provides a uniform for a child. Our goal is to purchase 130 uniforms.- Give to the daily meal program: helping feed children and staff every school day- Support classroom and facility improvements: washrooms, repairs, painting, supplies, and infrastructure- Help with sports and play equipment: because children need joy, movement, and play too- Give to the general fund: allowing us to respond where the need is greatest- And yes — if you happen to have deep pockets, Unity School needs a bus! Transportation is one of the major needs that would make a huge difference for the school and its students.But your donation need not be large - even a few dollars will help. It is now very easy to support the school using PayPal, Venmo or Zelle via our Website. To learn more, please visit:mpjprojects.orgThank you for loving these children with us. We cannot solve every problem, but together we can make school safer, healthier, and more hopeful for these children — one meal, one desk, one uniform, and one sponsored student at a time.Doug and I can hardly wait to get there and learn the latest good news! We are so honored and thankful to be a part of what God is doing at Unity School.
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Our website informed us that the description of our excursion to the beautiful Capitol Reef National Park was our 200th Blog/Journal entry! I've enjoyed writing these.
Day Trip to Capitol Reef - This Photo Journey
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It was the last day of our southwestern US photoshoot, and the visit to Capitol Reef National Park checked off the last of Utah’s “Big Five” national parks. I confess that until I went to AAA ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
JUST OPENED UP...AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COMING SEPTEMBER!Our migration safari trip for September 20-30 for this year now has 2 openings. This safari is an EXCLUSIVE JOURNEY and is limited to eight people. (four per vehicle) Unfortunately, due to an unexpected health crisis, one of our couples has had to drop out. Please note, however, if you are a solo traveler and interested, we’d love to have you. This opportunity is NOT LIMITED to couples. Instinct Tours has reserved first class accommodations, and everything is already in place for two more guests to step in and take advantage of this opportunity. If you are interested, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. Cost is $7385 (per person, all inclusive) plus flights. We'd love to call and discuss the details of this high-end, exclusive tour with you!
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It's time to for us to refocus and change directions!In just over two weeks, we leave once again for one of our favorite places on earth...TANZANIA. Doug and I will be escorting a group of eight guests on what is sure to be a life-changing experience, and we can hardly wait.VERY SOON we will have to close the registration period for our Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris 2027. If you are ready to check this one off your bucket list and fulfill a lifelong dream, next year could be your year. We currently have tours scheduled for February, June, and August and would love to have you join us. CONTACT US NOW FOR DETAILS.(SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
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Enjoy 20% off all wall art, matted prints, and card collections beginning today and going through Monday. Come by our gallery in Cleveland at Grit & Grace Market to see some brand new work in addition to some of our most popular sellers.If you do not live near us and would like to take advantage of this sale, we will honor the 20% discounted price over this weekend. All of our pieces can be shipped right to your door and come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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I'm well aware that everyone has likely reached the scenery overload point by now, so happily this is the last post from the southwest adventure! Today's images are from Capitol Reef National Park, which ended up being our favorite, edging out Arches by just a little bit. Fantastic views in every direction with colors, textures, and layers galore. I'm not sure we have ever had a trip where I have taken this many landscape images. Wildlife was scarce, so although I hauled my long lens out there, opportunities to use it never happened. If you haven't explored this region of our country yet, we highly recommend it. In addition to great scenery, the people were very friendly, and food was excellent.If you are a southwest fan and have seen an image that you particularly like, we'd love to do a custom order to your specifications. The landscapes would be superb on either metal or canvas. Enjoy 20% off our normal pricing if you place your order by June 10th! We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work and are happy to ship your image anywhere in the US.ONE MORE THING. As much as I hate to ask, our business could still use many more followers to even make a tiny dent in the competitive social media market for fine art photography. We encourage you to invite others to follow our page and to share our posts often. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!#fineartphotography #capitolreefnationalpark #knoxvillephotographer #naturephotography #Grit & Grace Market#marcysphotojourney
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Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, UtahHot, dry, barren, rocky, and rough, but with a unique beauty all its own. Canyonlands is a HUGE park with four distinct sections. We were only able to cover one of the four because our vehicle was not sufficient for off-road driving. Even though we were out west for two weeks, there wasn't enough time to experience everything! Next time...
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UNITY SCHOOL NEWS - In two weeks, Marcy and I return to Tanzania for the 9th time — and this time we get to share the journey with our children and their spouses!Over the years, our dear friend Arnold Makinda of Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris, along with his family, has truly become part of our family. And through that friendship, our family has grown even larger — to include the children, teachers, and staff of Unity School in Arusha, Tanzania.Many of you know the story. Years ago, we simply asked Arnold if there was a school we could visit while we were in Tanzania. He took us to Unity School, and we immediately fell in love with the children, the teachers, and the heart of the place.What began as a few modest donations has now grown into MPJ Tanzania Projects, a proper 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity — made possible because so many of you have cared, encouraged, donated, and believed in this work.Because of your help and the generosity of several key donors, we have been able to help provide:- A nutritious daily meal for the children and staff- Completely rebuilt washrooms and connections to the municipal sanitation system- A new kitchen- Classroom improvements, including electricity and lights- A refreshed teachers’ area- Cleaner, safer grounds- Filtered drinking water- Desks, chairs, school supplies, and learning materials- Tuition sponsorships for children who need help staying in school- A significant seed fund to begin providing school uniformsAnd the needs continue.As we prepare to return, we would love to invite you to be part of this next chapter. Even a modest gift can make a very real difference.Ways you can help:Sponsor a child’s tuition: $330 provides one full school year- Provide a desk and chair: about $65 gives a child a proper place to learn- Support uniforms: One of our guests noticed that many of the children needed basic clothing support. Your $40 give provides a uniform for a child. Our goal is to purchase 130 uniforms.- Give to the daily meal program: helping feed children and staff every school day- Support classroom and facility improvements: washrooms, repairs, painting, supplies, and infrastructure- Help with sports and play equipment: because children need joy, movement, and play too- Give to the general fund: allowing us to respond where the need is greatest- And yes — if you happen to have deep pockets, Unity School needs a bus! Transportation is one of the major needs that would make a huge difference for the school and its students.But your donation need not be large - even a few dollars will help. It is now very easy to support the school using PayPal, Venmo or Zelle via our Website. To learn more, please visit:mpjprojects.orgThank you for loving these children with us. We will be carrying your kindness with us when we return to Tanzania.We cannot solve every problem, but together we can make school safer, healthier, and more hopeful for these children — one meal, one desk, one uniform, and one sponsored student at a time.
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BRYCE CANYON IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT...After enjoying all five of Utah's national parks, it would be my least favorite. We had a wonderful day there, weather was perfect, no huge crowds, and scenery was fabulous. Certainly had no regrets about visiting, but for me the photography just wasn't as much fun or quite as exciting as the other four parks. Broad sweeping views of the hoodoos in the expansive canyon were dramatic and striking, but there wasn't a lot of variety. It was also a disadvantage to be there in the middle of the day, so light was not great, although we were very lucky to have a gorgeous sky that really helped.Just before the entrance to Bryce, you go through Red Canyon, and the first few pictures were taken there. The cliffs were a very deep red/orange and looked beautiful with the contrasting green of the trees. In fulfilling a recent custom order for a local dental office, I've had occasion to look at a lot of metal options at various suppliers. I found it interesting that Bryce Canyon is a big favorite for these companies to display their glossy metals. If you're a Bryce fan and could use a metal print, I have plenty of options!The last picture of the day is actually my favorite because I felt lucky to be at the right place at the right time to see the canyon horse ride way down below our viewpoint. I'm including a black and white of that one as well as a throwback to old westerns!
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AN INCREDIBLE EVENING IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK!When you hear a photographer say that it's all about the light, believe it! While in Moab, we visited Arches three times, and each time we enjoyed taking pictures. The last time, though, something magical happened as the sky darkened, and the light shone on the rock formations just before sunset. It just kept getting better and better. There were the golds, then the oranges, and finally the deep reds. We couldn't get around the park fast enough as the light kept changing, and we wanted to capture everything we could. I tried to arrange these in order, so that you could see the progression, but sometimes Facebook has a mind of its own, so they're not exactly right...but you get the idea! A big bonus occurred when a totally unexpected rainbow appeared for about 20 seconds or so, catching us by surprise. I managed to get just a couple of shots of that before it disappeared.
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A 190-mile trip, worms, the prophet Jeremiah and amazing scenery. Read our latest journal/blog post to find out what is up.
A 190-mile Vermilion Cliffs Loop - This Photo Journey
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This would be quite a road trip, but our sources said that visiting the Vermilion Cliffs would be worth it. Before we begin a description of our journey, though, I beg your indulgence to poke around t...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We finished up Utah’s “Big Five” today with Capitol Reef National Park. What an incredible surprise!! It might just be my favorite. The other four seem to get more attention, and I had never heard much about Capitol Reef. We both loved it. Leaving Moab in the morning for Salt Lake City. The southwest US is amazing in many ways. So much so that we’re already planning to come back before long.
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We are continuing on the path to resurrecting our blog/Journal - Today, we reflect on the practice of proper touristing.
Alone Together at a Famous Landscape - This Photo Journey
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Just musing here, but this blog post is meant to be a gentle affirmation favoring proper touristing. So far on this trip, it’s been nice people all the way down. Maybe it is that the high season o...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Greetings from Moab, Utah! We have visited Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks over the past few days. Of course we have taken thousands of pictures, but the internet in our present location is not cooperating! I will catch up with images from several locations eventually, but it may be when I return home. We are staying here in Moab until we drive to Salt Lake City and fly home on Tuesday. It has been a wonderful visit to this beautiful part of our country. Stay tuned...
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The Vermillion Cliffs scenic drive is yet another spectacular geologic wonder. So many different formations, colors, textures, and indescribably stunning settings on this route!
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Doug has been busy rebuilding his blog structure. We start with a visit to one of the most iconic scenes of the American West. Click to read the back story.
The Most Crowded Empty Road in the West - This Photo Journey
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“I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” – Forrest Gump, upon arriving in Monument Valley. In my mind, this is the most iconic scene of the American West. From a high viewpoint, the pav...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
MOVING ON...On our last night in Arizona we took a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Powell that gave us a little different perspective with photos taken from the water level. The incredible light of sunset really made the cliffs and rock formations come alive. We have enjoyed this past week here in Arizona, but now it's on to Utah!
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Although we had visited the Grand Canyon a couple of other times, I was never happy with my photos from there and had convinced myself that it was because I hadn't had enough experience. So this time I had very high hopes that I'd come away with some great images. No so much!We were there in the light of early morning on a perfect day, but I feel like once again the canyon defeated me. For whatever reason, I cannot seem to capture the true beauty of this famous landmark. Here's a few from our morning in Grand Canyon National Park.
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We had great weather for our excursion to Monument Valley. I had always assumed that it was a national park, but it is a Navajo Tribal Park! Just before our arrival, we stopped to photograph a couple of horses along the road. It could have been perfect, had the horses any measure of cooperation in them, but they did not. We had beautiful purple wildflowers, great backgrounds of stone monuments, a fantastic sky, and horses who were so intent on grazing that they refused to raise their heads and look at us...not even once. So we gave it a good effort and moved on.The 17 mile drive through the valley was gorgeous, and we stopped often to take photos and just be outside enjoying the lovely day. Here are a few of my favorites.
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DIFFERENT WORLDS...After spending two days in luscious Cades Cove with friends, Doug and I hurried back home to finish up travel preparations and ready ourselves for a 5:15 airport arrival the next day. Up at 3:30, we just kept it foremost in our minds that we could rest on the plane. We boarded our flight for Phoenix and couldn't muster a whole lot of excitement because we were so tired.After landing in Phoenix where it was a beautiful 68 degrees and sunny, we had a four hour drive to our first four-night destination, Page. As we were nearing Flagstaff, the temp dropped 30 degrees, and we found ourselves in rain mixed with snow conditions. While stopped to get some gas, we dug into our suitcases and got out our warmest coats. Weather changed a couple more times before we finally reached our rental home near Lake Powell. What were we getting ourselves into?The images posted today were all taken on the drive from Phoenix to Page while rolling down the highway. I love to see what I can capture through my lens from the windshield and the passenger window. Certainly nothing like spring in the Smokies, but a striking kind of beauty none the less! We will be in Arizona and Utah over the next two weeks doing a little exploring and visiting several national parks. Hoping you'll come along, and invite a friend to follow our page and come with you, as we share aspects of this journey. Tomorrow I'll be posting pictures of our trip to Monument Valley.
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One of the best things about the Instinct Tours safari trips that we love so much is the lasting cameraderie with our fellow travelers. Last Sunday and Monday, Doug and I spent two days in the Smokies with friends from our September, 2025 safari group. Thank you, Mary and Alan (from Illinois) and Dawn and Pete (Morristown, TN), for a great time. From our Log Cabin Pancake House breakfast on the first day to saying goodbye at the ice-cream store in The Cove at the end of day two, we enjoyed a lot of reminiscing and laughing together. We also saw a record of 31 bears in one day!
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Another gallery delivery of four new images yesterday at Grit & Grace Market! Click on each picture to view full screen and see accompanying commentary. There are some fantastic new choices available for your home or office. Make time to check them out on this beautiful Spring day.#Grit & Grace Market #marcysphotojourney #wormsloehistoricsite #charlestonsc #jonesboroughtennessee #americana #angeloak
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We now have four options of our Lee University collages available for order. Requests are starting to come in, and we'll be contacting our canvas supplier later this week, so that collages can be received, framed, and ready for you in about 3-4 weeks.They come in two sizes, 22 X 22 ($275) and 38 X 38 ($425), including frames. For best viewing, click to see image full screen. Which one includes your Lee student's favorite spots on campus?
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New to our business page? Scroll back for loads of pictures from our latest African adventures and other travels over the last few years. Also, for more photography and opportunities to purchase my work, check out the website at marcysphotography.com. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS A FOLLOWER OF THIS FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE!
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Seven weeks from this coming Wednesday, we will be leaving for our 9th trip to Tanzania. This will be a very special trip for us as we are joined by our children, Jared & Stacey and Rachel & Michael! I'm already thinking about (and dreaming of) some wonderful big cat sightings once again. Meanwhile, time is ticking away to sign up for one of our 2027 adventures. If you have ever had the desire to enjoy an African safari, we offer a truly fabulous two-week experience. Doug and I will be escorting travelers in February, June, and September next year and would love to have you join us.If you have already been in touch with us and are seriously considering 2027 safaris, IT IS TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR SPOT. Are you interested and have not yet inquired about our options? We would love to send you some information with pricing and itinerary details.What are you waiting for?
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PHOTO JOURNEY UPDATE:You may have seen on the news yesterday that all 64 Painted Tree stores nationwide closed suddenly without prior notice. Managers and workers of local stores, as well as thousands of hard-working vendors, had no prior knowledge of this decision. Timing was especially painful for us, since we had spent a good part of last week repainting and refreshing our gallery. Because we were encouraged and feeling very hopeful about our business there, I had recently placed a VERY LARGE order of 20 canvases, including several specific to Knoxville. Needless to say, we're wondering about what's next and are considering options. However, we firmly believe that God has this all under control and know for sure that He "orders our steps," as referenced in Psalm 37: 23-24. It's not really our desire to close entirely, but we do seek His direction in this matter.Now overloaded with inventory, we are hoping to eventually find another suitable gallery space in our hometown. Do you have any friends or acquaintances who have a space available? We'd be interested to hear about it!If you know anyone in Knoxville who is looking for artwork for their home or office, let us know.
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Celebrating the resurrection of our Lord together! We all missed Hallie (who wasn’t able to make it home from grad school), but it was a lovely day.
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You'll love our Lee University collages! This is a custom order that we just finished for a 2026 graduate. Choose your pictures, size, and frame as a special surprise for your graduate or Lee staff member.Contact us for details.
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youtu.be/atEO-_vWofAMarcy and I are proud to serve as U.S. Liaisons and Brand Ambassadors for Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris, led by the exceptional Arnold Makinda. Known simply as “Makinda,” he is one of Tanzania’s most respected safari guides. As a former General Secretary of the Tanzania Tour Guides Association and an instructor who has trained over 1,000 aspiring guides, Makinda brings unmatched expertise to every safari.This video is part of our Safari Moments series—short clips that give you a glimpse into the incredible experience of traveling with Instinct Tours. Here, you’ll see and hear the raw energy of the Great Migration: hundreds of wildebeest and zebras vocalizing, moving north through the Central Serengeti in their timeless quest for water and grazing lands.🔗 Learn more at instincttours.com#Safari #Tanzania #GreatMigration #SerengetiSafari #Tarangire #InstinctTours #Makinda #WildlifeSafari
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Just a quick update with more to come later! People are always asking us about whether or not we are able to see the animals up close on safari. While going through some files this morning, I saw these pictures from last September's Tanzania adventure. Diane Murphey (on her 2nd trip with us in this picture and coming with us once again this coming June) is getting the perfect shot. This is a very typical elephant encounter in Tarangire National Park!Our 2027 safaris (we have five scheduled, but one is already full) are getting a lot of attention from prospective travelers. If you are thinking that next year may be your time to jump in, DON'T DRAG YOUR FEET. Contact us for additional information.
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It has been two weeks already since we returned from our February trip to Tanzania. I hope you have enjoyed just a little glimpse into a totally different world. It's a world that Doug and I have come to love very much, and believe it or not, we're already looking forward to going back again in June.Every time I go, I come home with so many pictures, and as much as I love to share them with all of you, I am sure by now you have most likely seen enough for this trip. If you have seen anything that you love and would like to have in your home or office, we are happy to offer you our special friends and family discount of 20% on all custom orders through the end of March.We are very busy with preparations for 2027 safari trips now and would be happy to send information to anyone who may be interested in traveling with us next year. In order for you to really understand the impact that an experience like this can make on your life, you just have to experience it for yourself. As we like to say, "Once you go, you know." We would love to make this dream come true for you!
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Believe me, you certainly can not trust them. They can be annoying when they are seen begging along the road. They won't win any prizes for beauty. You must always remember to lock sliding glass doors and zip up your tent.BUT...A SAFARI JUST WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE BABOONS!We usually see lots of baboons wandering along the road, and it's a sure thing that after a good baboon encounter, we'll be laughing and looking forward to the next one. These characters can be so funny just by being themselves! Today's images represent two different baboon sightings on our recent safari. The last one was when they had raided a "sausage tree" and were coming toward us with sausages in their mouths. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I asked Doug if monkeys or baboons were funnier. He wasn't sure. Well, my vote goes with baboons. Sometimes I wonder if they are so funny simply because they remind me so much of ourselves!
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There is something unforgettable about Tanzania during the Great Migration. This is the season when the safari builds from the elephant country of Tarangire to the vast plains of the Serengeti and then north toward the Mara River, where the Great Migration becomes the emotional centerpiece of the journey.What we love most about this safari is its rhythm. Guests begin at a resort near Arusha, move into classic safari country among giant baobabs and elephant herds, pass through the beautiful highlands near Karatu and Ngorongoro, and then settle into tented camp life in the Serengeti as the adventure unfolds.It is not just a checklist of parks. It is a beautifully paced experience of wildlife, landscape, culture, hospitality, and education.We have now created a more detailed late-season safari page (click below) with photos for anyone who would like a closer look.If the Great Migration of the Serengeti has ever been on your bucket list, send us a message and we will be happy to share details. The dates for the Great Migration trip are August 19-30. (These are actual safari dates and do not include flight dates or pre-nights.) -- 11 nights, $7,785 plus flightsLooking forward to hearing from you!Doug & MarcyMarcy’s Photo Journey / Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaristhisphotojourney.com/index.php/great-migration-safari/#TanzaniaSafari #GreatMigration #Serengeti #Tarangire #Ngorongoro #AfricanSafari #WildlifePhotography #MarcysPhotoJourney #InstinctTours
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SINGLE LADY WHO HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A SAFARI!It is very unusual at his time of year, but an opening is available for one female traveler who would be interested in going with us to Tanzania this September. The actual safari dates are September 20-30, but these dates do not include flight days or pre-nights. If you are interested in sharing a room with another single lady, please contact us ASAP for more details.This is our Great Migration Safari and it is the most popular time to travel to The Serengeti. If you'd prefer, you could fly over with us, and we promise to take excellent care of you from beginning to end. BIG BONUS: This safari is our first time in doing a limited, exclusive trip, and we are only accepting a total of eight people. We will have two vehicles of four persons to ensure that there is plenty of extra room to move around and photograph the migration. We have also booked some new, high-end properties that we are excited about trying for the first time during this exclusive trip. Your cost is $7485 plus flights, which is $300 less than the 2027 rates.DO YOU FEEL THE SERENGETI CALLING YOU?
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AND THEN THERE ARE THE LIONS!Lions will always be safari kings, and we are usually especially lucky to see many of them on each safari adventure. Because they are so communal, they add up quickly, and we ended this past experience with a grand total of 55 lion sightings! February has proven to be the very best time for lion viewing because that is the only time of year that we visit the Lake Ndutu area of the Serengeti. Since Lake Ndutu is the gathering place and calving area for huge herds of wildebeests and zebras, the predators (lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas) naturally follow, seeking out either the older, weaker herd members or the newborn babies.Our weather this time at Lake Ndutu was very wet and very muddy, resulting in many safari vehicles being stuck. Our expert drivers, Makinda and Jume, managed to navigate through some dicey spots during our three days there, and we always felt safe as we passed by dozens of others who were mired in the mud. More than once, we stopped to lend a hand to those who were less fortunate and needed assistance.The wildlife seemed rather unaffected by the weather, but I was glad to get some different images and feel that the puddles, mud, foggy mist, and rain actually added some interest to many of the photos. Hope you enjoy this first batch of lions!
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There's never a shortage of elephants! We had some amazing elephant encounters in Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks. There's nothing that makes you feel so small as being in close proximity to an elephant. Come to Tanzania with us in 2027 and see for yourself! We are now taking deposits for five safaris next year.
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ANOTHER BIG CAT THAT IS ALWAYS A THRILL TO SEE IS THE CHEETAH! On this last trip, we saw our first one just after we arrived in the Serengeti, and with some wonderful maneuvering by our drivers and guides, we were able to get some great images. Although this one was alone, they often hunt in pairs or threes, and many times these hunting teams are brothers.BUILT FOR SPEED!The cheetah is the fastest land animal and Africa’s most endangered big cat. Built for speed, it can accelerate to more than 70 mph in just over three seconds, covering strides up to seven meters long. Its flexible spine, long legs, narrow frame, and balancing tail all contribute to its incredible sprinting ability. Specialized muscles give the limbs a wider swing, boosting acceleration.Cheetah foot pads are hard and less rounded than those of other cats, acting like tire treads for traction during sharp turns. Their short, semi-retractable claws resemble a dog’s more than a cat’s, working like track spikes to grip the ground and increase speed.FAST AND FLEXIBLE!The cheetah’s spine is uniquely flexible, acting like a spring that powers each stride. Its long, muscular tail works like a rudder, counterbalancing body weight and swinging side to side to stabilize sharp turns during high-speed chases.Unlike most cats, a cheetah’s shoulder blades are not fixed to the collarbone, which allows the shoulders to move freely. At the hips, the joints pivot widely so the rear legs can stretch far apart when the body is fully extended. Together, this hip and shoulder flexibility produces an exceptional stride length of about 21 feet, with four strides completed every second. During each stride, the cheetah is airborne twice: once when fully extended and once when the legs are tucked beneath the body.
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Every safari trip includes plenty of monkeys! I asked Doug a little while ago which is more entertaining, monkeys or baboons? He really couldn't call it because they are both so funny and provide good safari entertainment.We already have one of our five safaris now full for 2027. If you have any interest or know of anyone who would love this kind of adventure travel, let us know. Brand new itineraries are being developed, and we'd love nothing better than to send them to you.Questions have arisen about the physical stamina required to do a safari trip. These trips do not require a high level of physical fitness. You will be riding in a land cruiser safari vehicle for most of the day and are only required to walk short distances while in lodges and camps. There is no "roughing it," as we stay in top-notch properties with great amenities.Once you go, you know! These Tanzania trips are truly life changing and so much fun. We now have guests who will be traveling with us for the fourth time soon. Consider coming with us and see what all the fuss is about.
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More leopards!Because we actually had two leopard sightings on this trip, I was able to grab a lot of images of one of the most beautiful animals out there. Such intensity in those eyes! The close up portraits were fun to capture, but being able to pull back and watch their behavior, both on the ground and in a tree, was thrilling.#marcysphotojourney #instincttours #tanzaniasafari #travelphotography #tanzania #WildlifePhotography #africansafari #africanwildlife #fineartphotography #knoxvillephotographer #Grit & Grace Market #paintedtreeboutiques #paintedtreeknoxville
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It's always a thrill to spot a favorite animal and be able to capture it through my lens, but the kinds of images that I love most are beautiful landscapes with wildlife in them. The Lake Ndutu area of the Serengeti provides wonderful opportunities for those types of shots. We only include Lake Ndutu in the itinerary of our February safaris because that is the time of year when the animals are migrating through the area. This year, due to unprecedented rains there, landscapes were a little wetter in general, but still interesting. Here are a few of my favorites!
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UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ACT QUICKLY! In case you haven't heard, we're doing an exclusive safari experience this coming September that is limited to eight travelers...2 vehicles with four per vehicle. We are checking out a couple of new upscale properties that will be under consideration for future trips. Right now we have six committed, including us, so there is still room for two more. We will be concentrating on catching the Mara River crossing at the end of the safari and have our fingers crossed that the wildebeests and zebras will cooperate with our schedule. However, even if their timing doesn't perfectly coincide with ours, we promise it'll be a great time together. Dates of actual safari are September 20-30. The Rhino Project, a special excursion to a restricted part of the Serengeti is also planned. Because time is rapidly running out, we would have to know you're in NO LATER THAN MARCH 15TH. All inclusive package except for air fare for $7485. ANY TAKERS?
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