Free Day!

One of the most famous and important archaeological sites in Israel is Masada so that is what me and 70 other people decided to do on our free day! We were told to pack our bathing suits and a towel for the fun stop at the Dead Sea afterward. We were going to the lowest spot on earth!

We started out from our hotel, the Regency at 2500 feet above sea level in Jerusalem and ended at 1300 feet below sea level at the Dead Sea. All in 30 minutes! The lowest spot on earth... (Hey Mr. Lelighter, I made it to the Dead Sea!)

The Ahava manufacturing plant is located on the shore of the Dead Sea and we stopped briefly to learn how the products are made from the mineral in the water. The Dead Sea is 10x saltier than the ocean and it is 33% minerals! We were able to purchase Ahava products at really low prices and everyone who likes Ahava loved that. It was a frenzy of Ahava sampling and purchasing!

Next we drove a short way to Masada where the only way to the top is either by cable car or by the "Snake Trail". The Snake Trail takes about 1 hour to climb. Its narrow trail twists and turns up the steep sides and looks very adventurous and intense. I hesitated briefly on which way to go and I thought of my family at that moment of contemplation. I knew that if they were with me, we'd end up on the trail – for the fun of it. But since it's just me on this trip and it's quite warm in the Judean Desert today; I and the other 70 people opted for the 3 minute cable car ride. (Gotta love technology!)

Once we got up there, and I wiped the nervous sweat from the face, (It's really high!) Ami our guide began to show us around. It was really interesting to learn that after the fall of Jerusalem and for 3 years, these Zealots made their last stand against the Roman Army. About 960 people lived up here. They were amazingly well prepared and seemed to have everything they needed for a long time. But the Roman army camped out all around the fortress and built a ramp that would eventually lead to the Zealot's demise. When they saw that all hope was lost, they set fire to the fortress and then committed suicide. You really should learn more about this place – I can't do it justice.

It is so cool up here! The view is amazing. Don't I look happy? I am!

Lunch was at the restaurant in Masada. Get a load of the huge smoothie they served us! Can you see it on the left? What a treat!

Next stop? Floating in the Dead Sea... have I mentioned that it's the lowest spot on earth? Yea, I think that's pretty neat.

After a quick change I was heading to the shoreline to take a dip... or "bob" I should say. This is an unsinkable body of water because of the high salt content. (Travis, you'd even be able to float in this! I wish you were here!)

First place I absolutely had to go was to the get all muddy. Yes, even adults like to play in the mud! This is special mud though, it has all those great minerals in it to help your body. It was great fun rub mud all over your body and walk around like it was normal. ? ha! I was having some fun as you can see...

I can't believe I'm posting this on the blog!!

The water was calling me... so I jumped in for some fun photo opportunities. I was careful not to get any water in my eyes since we were warned how painful it would be... Here are some of us in the water! It truly is unsinkable! No doggie-paddling necessary!

After a quick rinse off, we headed to Qumran. The site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Lots of history there. Here is a picture of one of the caves that the scrolls were found in.

Here is the view from Qumran. The Mountains reflected beautifully off the Dead Sea. Ami said if you look carefully on top of one of those mountain tops you could see Mt. Moab; where Moses first saw the Promise Land... We're talking Moses here and I could see it!

Back to the hotel for a great dinner and evening where Stefan and his Feed the Hungry team shared some great testimonies on how FTH is changing the world. Visit www.fth.org to learn more about this great ministry.

Another great day has passed... I'll be asleep before my head hits the pillow.

Shalom Shalom!