Day hike with the family

 

Passover (Pesah) is a huge family celebration when the Agada (the story of the Jews leaving Egypt) is told and passed from one generation to the next one around the dinner table ,all the family participates and each member reads when his turn comes from the Agada, and this can take till midnight or when the small ones fall asleep.

The holydays from school made it possible for us to get all the 5 grandkids and our son for a day hike/picnic just South of Mt. Carmel, a 3 mile round trip with beautiful views to the Mediterranean Sea surrounded with lashing green vegetation just before it disappears in the heat of the summer.

it is not every day we are able to get the gang together,the only ones we missed is our youngest son’s   family that sent this picture…our youngest son and youngest grand daughter.

Day hike in Northern Israel

We planed a day hike in one of the Galil valleys in the Northern Part of Israel leading to the Kinneret Lake ,the trail was in an open area with no shade, but  weather guy reported that it would be very hot especially in the low elevations and there for we changed the plan and hiked 12 miles round trip to one of the highest peaks with a fantastic panoramic view just the North West of the lake.

The bus dropped us at the trail head at 8AM , we had our breakfast and started the hike carrying lunch and water with us because the bus will be waiting for us at the end of the trail at 5PM.

All along the hike there was a beautiful bloom of colourful flowers ,and we took the time to stop in view points to see the views.

 

One of the stops was near the rock called “Eliauhu Chair” a completely natural rock ,the legend says that a woman praying here for fertility  will get her wish ,so I told my wife not to get close and be silent…, the beyond the rock is just fantastic.

We surprised our guide celebrating his birthday during the lunch break ,wine ,home made cake was served and we all wished him to continue to explore every path in the Holy Land /with us of course.

After lunch with lighter weight in the back pack we continued along the high trail to the highest peak where we could see  all the width of the country from the Mediterranean Sea till the Golan heights (amazing how small is the country).

 

We took our time to just sit and enjoy this outstanding views,listening to the wind and watching the birds glade to catch the winds.

Yes, the country is “petit” only 6 hours drive from North to South and 15-20 minutes from East to West but sure is beautiful and full of history.

One of the highlights was the ruins of an ancient Synagogue , one of many found here from the ancient times.

 

After an explanation on the place we made our way downhill towards the end of the trail enjoying the afternoon colors ,passing meadows,villages and old Olive groves.

It sure was a wonderful day,great views,good weather,good company –what else can one ask for???

Thank you all for visiting my site and may you all travel in safe ways wherever you are .

2015 summer RV summer trip plan

It is hard to me to believe but we are just before our 14th RV Summer trip….wow, I remember talking about purchasing a RV way back when we both were still working and the kids were there,the plan started to be realistic only when our youngest son had completed his military duties of 3 years (it is a must in Israel) at that point I told my wife that we have a short “window” between the time our kids get away from home till we start taking care of our inner parts….

So we both resigned from our work at the age of 57-58 ,packed a suitcase and flew to Edmonton where we purchased a F-250 7.3Lt 1994 and a 27’ 5W with one big slide 1999 from an ex military, this combo held till 2005 very well through Alaska and all the West coast,at 2005 we traded to F-350 2006 HD and a 2006 Cruiser 30’ with 3 slides that are performing perfectly till this day.

We RV for 4-5 months mostly in the Nature,hiking,waterfalls,natural hot springs,history,special events and meeting people is our way to do it.

Usually we park in a central location to visit the places we planned and move only after we “discovered “ the area,we prefer “deep” visits rather than cover grounds,till now after 13 summers  we did not visit a place twice…we always want to see what is beyond the next mountain.

Besides the views,the food,and camping we are blessed to meet people from the RV community that became our friends and they enriched our lives and for this we are thankful and happy.

We have no RV’s in Israel because of the small size of the country: 6 hours drive from North to South and 15 minutes from West to East- yes this not a mistake ,that’s it….can you believe it?, once when I told a friend this fact he said “ No, I do not mean the size of your town I mean how big is your country..” , well sorry to disappoint you but Israel is the size of N.J and will “drawn” in the Michigan Lake…just Google “Compare Israel to…”

So for us RVing in North America is a huge adventure and what is a “regular” thing for you guys for us it is an outstanding thing to do.

I have to complement my best second half that went along with me on this leaving the family for 4-5 months was not exactly her plan after retirement although every grand child reaching 12 (Batmizva Girl) and 13 (Barmizva Boy) joins us for a month as our present for this important occasion, till now 2 already did a trip with us and the rest are standing impatiently in line,it is our problem to be able to do it for more many years so we can take them all one by one….

This winter we  visited Canary Island Spain for 11 days(can be seen on the blog) ,a small Island that has a lot to offer,good weather,great beaches,fantastic cheap food especially sea food(no fast food at all),very beautiful views and a week of 24 hours festivals…

If any have any suggestions along or close to our planed route or just want to leave a comment please do so.

Enjoy the winter wherever you are and  you down the road from June 2015.

Rock Nublo-the highest point in Gran Canary

Few days ago when we were in Tejeda we could not hike the highest peak as the whole area was covered by fog,so today we decided to go back and do it,and the weather was just perfect and clear.

To get to Rock Nublo (South of Tejeda) we had to use  local windy narrow ,2 way roads as most of the inland roads,the views along the route were stunning and we stopped to take it all in whenever we could.

The distance from our place in Las Palmas to the Rock is only 30 Miles but it took us almost 2 hours with stops in the view points and because of the 2 way road where some times we had to back up and let a bus or another vehicle pass.

Finally we arrived to Rock Nublo,it took us “only” 3 attempts to park in the parking area that is very small and there is no way to park  along the road ,so we had to pass the parking lot ,turn around on the narrow road and head back hoping some one will leave just in time for us to squeeze in.

From the parking lot it is a 1Mile hike straight up the the Rock,but it is worth the effort.

Tenerife the biggest of the Canary Islands can be seen at the background.

360 degrees views can be seen from the top,we sat on top facing a great scenery ,pulled a sandwich and a beer from our pouch and smelled a sweet aroma carried by the wind coming from the direction of 3 guys smoking weed….what a combo…

On the way back we had a great lunch ,Shula had grilled fresh fish and a cream soup,I had pork chops with salad and a beer,we also shared a local ice cream ,all for 22 Euro including tip….this is cheap from where I come from.

We took a different road to get back “home” stopping at view points and in a small coffee bar for a cappuccino and got down from the mountains before dark (that is very important).

I do not know if this was the “cherry “ on top of the cake but it sure was close.

Great Street Carnival Las Palmas

It looks like this Island lives to enjoy life ,after all the celebrations we attended in the last week this was sure a very powerful performance by  the Islanders.

Every one ,no matter fat,skinny,beautiful,ugly ,old or young was in the streets having fun.

Allot of effort was invested in the costumes and the make up,they took it very seriously and it was easy to get connected and get moving with the beat.

The parade started at 5PM from the center of the old city all the way to the Port in the North side of Las Palmas,I do not know when it ended because at 10PM we couldn't take the noise any more and stand on the little bench we found to be able to take some pictures.

At first groups on foot walked the streets,each one with different music and moves but every one was smiling,happy and enjoying himself.

The beauty queens were on a platform pulled by a 4X4 and very brave having almost nothing to wear in this cool weather, I hope they did  not get ammonia.

Then came the big trucks carrying liquor on board ,load speakers with high volume music and groups of happy half drunk people.

Following each truck were crowds with costumes singing the songs played from the vehicles,all in good mood and in order.

It looked like the whole Island was marching the streets either as a performer ,on the side walk or on the balcony of the buildings along the route.

Some of the audience were still young to understand what is going on but they were there with the  parents and one day they will be marching.

It was a strong,colourful,happy and a laud parade,every one was willing to pose for a picture with or with out one from the crowd I have never seen such an event and sure are happy we did.

And here are some well known characters from the past.

Accordingly to the internet these celebrations will go on and off till Spring…..Wow,one thing is sure booze shops are having a ball…