On the Road...

Zach's family has been in town for more than a week now, and we've been traveling the country seeing some fabulous sites, many of which I hadn't seen before now. Here are some highlights:

-swimming and baptisms in the Jordan River
-Mt. Carmel (Elijah and the prophets of Baal story took place here)
-Caesarea Philippi (ancient city where Paul was imprisoned)
-Mt. Gerazim (the only place in the world where Samaritans still live)
-Tel Dan (beautiful nature reserve in the northern part of the country)
-Valley of Elah (where David and Goliath fought)
-swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
-boat ride in the Sea of Galilee
-Capernaum (where both Jesus and Peter lived)
-Mount of Beatitudes
-Banias Waterfalls (beautiful falls coming down from Mount Hermon)
-Caesarea (ancient pagan town; where Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church...")
-Metulla (overlook into Lebanon)
-Masada (ancient Herodian palace)
-Nabi Samuel (tomb of Samuel)
-En Gedi (nature preserve by the Dead Sea; where David hid from Saul)
-Bet She'an (ancient Roman town; place where Saul's body was hung)
-Makhtesh Ramon crater (biggest natural erosion crater in the world)

I am writing from a hostel in En Gedi, and this is our last night out of Jerusalem. We will return to Jerusalem tomorrow and will have the last couple of days to do the major Jerusalem sites.

It has been quite an amazing trip as this country is about as diverse as it gets when it comes to geography and culture. We've driven through deserts, mountains, cities, lowlands, forests, etc., and have seen both the Jewish and Muslim cultures up close and personal. The only unfortunate part is that my camera got a bit sand-logged while at the beach in Caesarea Philippi, so all of my pictures are on hold until I can somehow get it fixed again. :( Hopefully they will be coming soon!

Until then, here is another birthday picture of the little one... :)