Adventures in Israel, part 4

Day 4

Whew!  What a day!  I had to look back over my notes just now to see where we even began today!  We drove about an hour this morning to the northern most area of Israel today—to the city of Dan in the Dan Nature Reserve.  Almost the entire way up to Dan the roads were lined with fields of crops—olive trees, cherry trees (so pretty with their pink & white blossoms!), almond trees, avocado trees, orange & other citrus tress & wheat fields.  Tons of hairpin turns!  Our bus driver is a rockstar. 

At the Dan Nature Reserve, we hiked up to the Dan River springs—one of the 3 sources of the Jordan River.  The hike was beautiful—so green with tons of foliage in bloom!  As we were walking thru the thick trees & vines, suddenly (I wasn’t expecting it!) there was the ruins of the ancient city of Dan!  It was like walking thru the jungle in Lost & all of a sudden you find the Dharma Initiative.  Ok bad example, but equally shocking I’m sure.  J   We learned about the tribe of Dan & how they settled here around 900BC because they weren’t able to conquer the people of the land they’d been given.  And we learned how Jeroboam set up a place of worship there that followed several of God’s designs for the temple but missed the mark & worshiped false gods because they were too lazy to go down to Jerusalem to worship where & how they were commanded to.  It was easy to think “how could they do that?” but even as we were walking down from the ruins thru the rest of the city, several members of our group cut thru some of the ruins, straying from the main path.  I didn’t see it happen but could hear our guide telling them to stay on the path, not to take the easy path.  Hmmm…how quickly we forget. 

Hike up to the city of Dan--yes, that's my momma in a ball cap!

Leaving the ancient city, we saw the seat where the king would have sat—issuing decrees & judgments to people at the city gates.  Like Boaz met with the elders of the city at the gates before marrying Ruth.  Super cool.  I sat on the king’s seat.  Felt very royal.  :)  Also cool to see how the gates represented power & authority—we were about to visit Caesarea Philippi where we’d see this illustrated as well!

On the way out of Dan we passed by what’s called Abraham’s Gate—the oldest gate in the world!—it’s made of mud bricks & was seen by Abraham (hence the name) when he passed thru Dan in Genesis 14.  Holy cow that’s some good mud!

Sitting on the king's seat at the city gate!

After Dan we drove east to Caesarea Philippi built by Herod Philip (one of Herod the Great’s sons).  I really didn’t know anything about this city—it’s a huge rock cave & wall & had been a center for worship of the god Pan who was very gross & required human sacrifice.  This area was sometimes referred to as the gates of Hades.  This is the region where Peter responds to Jesus’ question to who people say He was in Matthew 16 with, “You are the Christ, the Son of the LIVING GOD!”  Not dead, gross gods like Pan.  And Jesus says to him, “you are Peter (rock) and upon this ROCK I will build my Church & the gates of Hades will not prevail against it!”  In your face, Pan!

Katie & I at Caesarea Philippi

Lunch was at a Lebanese restaurant at Caesarea Philippi—falafel or chicken pita.  I had falafel & mom had chicken.  Both were good.  We saw lots of Israeli families picnicking & hiking since it’s both Sabbath & the Purim holiday.  One little girl (like 4 years old) was dressed like Snow White! 

We then drove north west to a place called Nimrod’s Castle—a fortress built by Muslims in the 12^th century & later occupied by the crusaders.  Super cool—felt like being in Europe!  The view was amazing—it looked like Ireland—green, rolling hills.  So pretty!  

At Nimrod's Castle

Around that corner behind me was a secret tunnel!

Climbing down in the secret tunnel--it's only that bright in there because I had the flash on--it was very secret!  

After the castle we drove south into Golan Heights.  We drove through a ski resort area—who knew there were ski resorts in Israel?  Not me!  This part of Israel felt very different from the other places we’ve been.  I don’t know near as much history as I should but it was easy to see the destruction of the wars fought here.  We drove up to Mt Avital-Mt Bental Nature Reserve—it’s on the rim of a volcano & is the site of an old military bunker.  It had been Syrian & then Israeli.  It’s not in use now, so you can climb down into the actual bunker area—super scary!   It was pitch black!   Thank goodness I carry a headlamp in my purse!  The unrest in the area was made very real to me as I was walking down from the height of the mountain back to the bus & passed two men in casual clothes—jeans & t-shirts—but one had a machine gun slung over his back.  I had to do a double take as soon as I passed them—sure enough—no uniform or any kind of military insignia.  Naomi, our guide, told us later that the Israeli military here are on orders to carry their weapon with them at all times.  This guy was probably out for a hike during the holiday but had his weapon ready.  Driving back down from the mountain we passed lots of fields with warning signs of the dangers of landmines.  Naomi said these are left from war in the 1960’s.  The only things allowed in those fields are cows.  Poor cows.  None exploded while we were driving by.  Luckily!  We also passed by several military bases & saw some drills with tanks going on as well—this is where they train—always ready in case Syria or someone else attacks. 

In the Golan Heights--that's Mt Hermon (the skiing mountain) in the background.

In the bunker of the military base--it was pitch black in there!

Thank goodness I am Rick Nelson's daughter & carry a headlamp with me!

We crossed a small section of the Jordan River on the way back south to our hotel in Tiberius (Galilee)—it was only maybe 15-20 feet across & not very pretty & Naomi reminded us that God chooses to use the small & lowly things to be important—like the Jordan River or Bethlehem—it’s not the place that is worthy of worship, but God.   

What a day!  This is our last night in Galilee.  We go south tomorrow to spend the next two nights at the Dead Sea.  I am super pumped to swim in it!   That might be tomorrow!  Woohoo!  This hotel we’ve been at has been incredible! Some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had!  I kind of hope our next hotels aren’t as good—I don’t think I can eat like this for another week!  Oh but it’s been so good! 

Alright, I think that’s all for today.  It’s been a great day!  

Not sure what the internet situation will be tomorrow.  I will take good notes & post when I can--this is helping me remember all that I've seen & done!  It's been so much!  Mazel!