On the Paved Path of Jesus

On the Paved Path of Jesus

Har Devorah to Har Tabor. Nazareth to Shibli. The Israel Trail, the Gospel Trail and the Jesus Trail. The highlight of the day was our guide Avi, who fascinated us as he unfolded the history of Yeshu and the events that led to Jesus becoming the Christian messiah.
We Did It!

We Did It!

Could we do it? That question nagged at Tia and me in the days leading up to our hike on the Israel Trail. We were facing a 500 meter ascent and descent of Mount Tabor. On a trail that goes mostly straight up, and then straight down. It was just the second hike of our second season, but rated the most difficult one we would do this year (2.5 on a scale of 3, or 4.3 on a scale of 5).
Mind over Body

Mind over Body

The first Israel Trail hike of season 2 was designated an easy hike. Normally, it would be for me. But I had some doubts this time. I had returned home from abroad two weeks previously covid-positive, with a throat infection that required antibiotics, ongoing bouts of naseau, and a left knee that had painfully flared up. My entire body was out of sorts. But my mind was telling me I could and should do it. It would revive my spirits.
Season Finale

Season Finale

The final hike of the season was an easy 10-kilometer walk, mostly downhill, and much of it on paved surfaces. We started in Tiberias at 7 a.m. The plan was to finish by noon and avoid the blistering afternoon heat. Throughout the morning we enjoyed stunning views of the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret). Our hike was punctuated by stops at vista points.
Daunting but Not Difficult

Daunting but Not Difficult

The high cliffs of Mount Arbel dominate the landscape surrounding Tiberias. For years I've viewed the Arbel from afar while heading north on the highway towards the Galilee. I've come closer on 4x4 offroad excursions. But I've never climbed the mountain. So I eagerly awaited this Israel Trail hike, though with some trepidation.
Yom Hashoah on the Israel Trail

Yom Hashoah on the Israel Trail

An Israel Trail hike on Yom HaShoah might not be a typical way to observe this solemn day. But it is not inappropriate. Were we not hiking, many of us would have been working in an office, or at home like me, stopping only for a moment of silence and not otherwise engaged. Today I spent time with a group of people who love this land as much as I do, wending our way through a ravine filled with stunning cliffs and fragrant wildflowers, and admiring the construction achievements of the state of Israel.
The Mystical and Virgin Meron

The Mystical and Virgin Meron

I was especially excited about this hiking segment on the Israel Trail since I had never before explored Mount Meron. Neither hiking, nor jeeping, nor orienteering had ever brought me here. It was all going to be completely new to me. Tia declared it my “virgin ground.” Before we set off, our guide Avi gave us good advice on climbing, pacing, taking breaks (“don’t sit down!”), and eating (“don’t eat your sandwich!”), to help us reach the summit of the Meron.
Five Crossings

Five Crossings

Just as I was leaving home to drive north with Tia the day before our Israel Trail hike, the group received a message of from our guide Avi. "Wonderful news! The lower Dishon Stream has begun flowing. Expect to cross ankle-high water. Make sure you have dry shoes and socks ready to change into at the end of the hike."
Snow Time on the Israel Trail

Snow Time on the Israel Trail

Heavy rain postponed our monthly Israel Trail hike from December to January. Heavy rain the day before our January hike changed the plan again. For safety reasons, we would skip the Lower Nahal Dishon segment, and do the Upper Nahal Dishon segment. As luck would have it, overnight the temperatures dropped to freezing. The rain turned to snow, and we began our hike in Nachal Tzivon with snow on the ground. Tia and I had spent the previous night in a guest room on Kibbutz Tzivon, arriving just before the snow started falling. I didn’t think it would last long, and was surprised to find snow on my car in the morning. Fortunately, the sun was shining, and temperatures warmed just enough to melt the ice on the roads.
Autumn Day on the Israel Trail

Autumn Day on the Israel Trail

The first heavy rainfall of the season finally arrived the weekend before the hike. The rains were followed by a few days of sun and cooler temperatures. Put that together with the geological wonders of the Naftali mountain range and the scenic vistas of the Hula Valley. The result was a perfect autumn day for hiking on the Israel Trail.