Melinda Martin – The day started earlier than usual. Anyone who wanted to scale Mount Arbel was to be ready for the bus at 7:30.
After a good breakfast we were off. On the 15 minute ride, Andrew read the Great Commission. Mount Arbel is thought to perhaps be where Jesus gave it.
We scaled 1070 feet vertically in the length of 2.25 miles. It was mostly slopes, some places there were steps. Most places the path was 4-6 feet wide. For a short time it was just about 2 feet, I’d guess. We were not on a cliff most of the time. But the mountain sloped away fairly steeply. A lot of the steep slopes were a cow pasture. We saw a few cows grazing. I wondered what they found to eat. It wasn’t much, it seemed. It’s the end of summer/dry season, so everything is pretty much dried up. Winter/rainy season will begin soon.
We stopped fairly often to catch our breath. We started out at 100 metres below sea level and finished at 181 above. So we were not in thin air, but it was still a lung-punishing climb.
About half way up there were some caves, and an Ottoman fortress built into other caves. They were off the main trail a little piece. The climb to the caves included a spot that was no more than 16 inches of ledge, for one or two steps. The mountain sloped fairly steeply down hundreds of feet. A few of the more adventurous went to the other caves.
Some of us explored the fortress which was mostly caves instead, while others rested a little, then continued slowly on up the trail.
The last quarter of the climb was most difficult. It was not perpendicular, but close. A very steep set of “natural stairs” with varying heights of step. Some just small, others knee high or more, some stretches were so steep we about had to just crawl.
A few stretches were too vertical to hold onto the rocks to climb. There were rebar hand holds that I used for a ladder.
By doing the climb first thing in the morning, we were in the shade most of the way. It was 72 F when we started out. So it was warm already.
The last 200 feet or more was brutal. For some of us anyway. Faustina and I each were favouring an ankle by the time we got to the top, so we were not moving as fast as earlier. I think most of us ladies were pretty winded.
The view from the trail was phenomenal. Breath taking. Exhilarating. Words don’t do justice.
It was hazy today, so we could not see as far as we hoped. We could see the Sea of Galilee, the town of Magdala, and orchards and other green fields. They do a lot of irrigation.
Israel has learned to desalinize (de-salt) the water from the Mediterranean, so they have a good supply of water.
A few of the ladies didn’t do the climb. The bus drove them to the top, and they met us there.
The next stop in Gollan Heights was an hour away. The bus was very quiet for quite a long while as we drove along.
We stopped at a lookout where we could see Israel in the foreground, the UN compound in the middle, and Syria in the background. Someone had set up a stand and was selling honey, jam, and olive oil.
Tarek guided the bus deftly around many tight hairpin curves as we ascended the mountain.
We had lunch at a restaurant – Andrew’s favourite in that area. They had called ahead and ordered the meal, so the table was set when we arrived. It was authentic local food. Pita bread, hummus, falafel, etc. Baklava for dessert.
On our way down the mountain, we rounded a curve to meet a big truck with an excavator on it. The road was barely wide enough for bus and the truck to pass each other. Tarek said “Everyone breathe in please!” And somehow guided the bus past without scraping the guardrails or the truck. He did it with just one hand! (He isn’t maimed, he just uses one hand for most of the steering.)
Our next stop was at Caesarea Philippi. Aaron expounded on “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” We sang “Oh Where are Kings and Empires Now”, and My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” in the alcove where an idol once stood.
Next we went to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve. We hiked a piece, “short” according to Aaron, but not so short for those of us who were weary. Some of the trail was almost cobblestone, so we had to walk carefully.
There were lots of fig trees lining the path. Fig season is just over, so we didn’t get to see any, but the air still smelled sweet, almost coconuty. We thought maybe the leaves had a scent.
We saw where a spring bubbles up and a fair sized creek rushes away to join 2 other creeks to become the Jordan River.
We also saw the foundation of the place where Jeriboam set up his altar. He wanted to hang onto his power and authority rather than letting the people go to Jerusalem to worship. He brought in a fake religion rather than going right and trusting God for the outcome.
We had to hurry to get to the bus by closing time at 4. I think we were a little late.
We had an hour’s drive back to the hotel. We saw the Sea of Galilee at twilight as we passed by. It was a beautiful view. We sang a couple songs as we travelled.
We got back to the hotel around 5:15
Another very good day!