I'm hot, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I've seen enough ruins!!!

Quick post before we head out for a hike and a bbq in Bat Ayin with our friends the Eric, Isha and their kids: Maimon (age 10), Rachel (age 8), David (age 6) and Benyamin (age 5).

Yesterday morning we woke the girls up at 4:30 and drove to Masada. We arrived at first light.
If you don't know the story of Masada- look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masada

When you look at Masada it doesn't seem like it should be so hard, but when it's hot, you're tired and hungry it's a challenge. We climbed the snake path which makes it's way up on the Dead Sea side. About halfway up we looked across to the Jordan mountains and saw the sun peeking it's way over the crest. It's amazing how fast it rises. The reflection on the Dead Sea kept moving towards Jordan as the sun got higher in the sky.

There are over 700 steps to the top and the difference from top to bottom is about 350 meters. There's an incredible view in all directions. We saw Herod's ancient palace, water cisterns, a dovecot, storerooms etc.

 

moon behind cousin Marc

moon is still out when we begin

 In the Commander's house

 view of the dead sea

 Ancient rooms

 Roman camp below

 Herod's palace

 Herod's palace

  

 Stretching on the way

Mike & Elizabeth at the top

 Herod's palace from above

 You can see the Ridge lines on the next mountain that show the water levels from millions of years ago

 Water cistern- or swimming pool

 Coming down

You can see the snake path behind- phew we're done!!

 Then a nice drive through the desert to meet the Esses family for a picnic lunch. We had a bbq and the kids played soccer all evening in the yard. We had a fire in the firepit and talked until the middle of the night after the kids went to bed. Not  sure how we stayed awake!!!

 The boys in their Red Sox gear that we brought