Winter Green on the Israel Trail

Winter Green on the Israel Trail

3 January 2010
Segment 27 – Moshav Ahuzam (Tel Keshet) to Pureh Nature Reserve *   After a hiatus of some ten weeks due to my recovery from retinal reattachment surgery, I was delighted to usher in New Year 2010 with a celebratory hike on the Israel National Trail. The hike today (2 January 2010), from Tel Keshet to the Pureh Nature Reserve, was originally scheduled for early December. In retrospect, we were fortunate that the hike on this segment was postponed a month. Although flowers are not yet in blossom, the landscape now glows brilliantly green. The meadows have begun sprouting new growth and the vast expanses of recently planted wheat fields have turned velvety green. With few significant highlights, this hiking segment can be easily summarized: Leave Moshav Ahuzam, hike across farmland, cross under Highway 40, pass the Tel Keshet mound.…
The Genesis of a Flood

The Genesis of a Flood

3 December 2009
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were not just watching a flood in the Judean Desert. We had actually seen it materialize, starting from the first drops of rain up on the heights of Hyrcania, growing into cascading torrents, and rushing into the stream beds below.

Detached Retina déjà vu

11 November 2009
I recognized the signs of a detached retina and quickly sought medical treatment. During my hospital stay I met other patients who did not realize the severity of their vision problem and did not seek attention soon enough. Their road to recovery will be much more difficult.
Ruth Radman and Leonard Meyer, 1926 (Engaged)

The Courtship of Ruth Radman and Leonard Meyer

29 October 2009
My grandmother's diary takes us into the world of my grandparents in Richmond, Virginia, in 1925. It is amazing to read the teenage Ruth’s words, to sense her consuming love for Leonard as well as the routine of her daily life nearly a century ago. More astounding are entries in which Ruth unknowingly provides glimpses of events and personalities that eventually evolved into memorable episodes and figures in the Radman-Meyer family history.
Exceeding Expectations on the Israel Trail

Exceeding Expectations on the Israel Trail

18 October 2009
Segment 15 – Meir Sh’feya Youth Village to Bet Hanania *   We had several notions of what today’s hike on the Israel National Trail would be like. Predictions of extremely hot weather caused several group members to back out, and made us concerned about coping with the heat. Certain Israel Trail reviewers have described the first four kilometers as a boring leg, so we had visions of a dull climb alongside high-tension power lines for the first hour or so. I know Ramat Hanadiv from orienteering and had recollections only of the thorny thickets across the reserve. So by the end of the day’s hike, we were all totally delighted to realize that are fears had not materialized, and our expectations had been far exceeded. 6:45: At Beit Hanania, Yuval, Varda and I join Ilan and his passengers…
Heat, Hills and a Hammock — and some great vistas

Heat, Hills and a Hammock — and some great vistas

20 September 2009
Segment 2: Kiryat Shemona to Mezudat Yesha *   In today’s hike, we will not be hiking the first part of the segment -- from Tel Hai to the Geological Park. I realized that the route would simply be too long, especially in the heat, and decided that it was better to cut out a few kilometers of ascent rather than skip the best part (Nachal Kedesh) at the very end of today’s route. I have promised the group we will return to complete this segment at another time, in another season. 9:25: Our hike begins at the Geological Park just above Kiryat Shemona. I am delighted that we are able to drive to the park on a paved road and park our car right near the trail; I had not realized there was vehicle access, and had thought we’d…
Sweet, Sweat and Wet on the Israel Trail

Sweet, Sweat and Wet on the Israel Trail

18 September 2009
Segment 1: Tel Dan to Tel Hai *   After a six-week hiatus, the Mishli hiking group is back on the Israel National Trail for two days (September 11 and 12). To begin our second season, we are starting at the northern trailhead at Tel Dan, and plan to hike the first two segments of the trail. The start is a long way from home, and most of us had gotten up before dawn to make our way to the meeting point at the Tel Hai cemetery next to Kfar Giladi, where our first hike will end. Earlier in the week, cooler weather had been predicted for the weekend, but by Friday the weather had plans to heat up again. So we were eagerly looking forward to the watery and wet portions of today’s hike. 9:25: After a few group…

Israel Trail Subtotals – Our First Season

5 August 2009
We have now completed our fourth hike, and first season, on the Israel Trail. I consider this our first season, or year (Hebrew or school calendar) of hiking, since this set of four hikes was my prototype. It was very much an experiment, in seeing whether I could assemble a group of like-minded friends from various walks of my life, physically fit and capable of hiking 15 kilometers in a single day. Now for some numbers - Subtotals, so far: We have hiked 61 kilometers, according to my GPS-recorded tracks. 34 people have hiked the trail with me and Yuval. An average of 16 hikers on each segment. Top honors go to partipants in all 4 hikes: Varda Ingels, Ruthy Alush, David Alush, Musa Yehoshua, Yuval Mishli, and me, of course. Honors go to participants in 3 hikes: Miri Berman,…
Beaches, Beaches and More Beaches on the Israel Trail

Beaches, Beaches and More Beaches on the Israel Trail

4 August 2009
Segment 18: Gaash to Tel Aviv * This hike is the second half of the route from Netanya to Tel Aviv. We started this hike in early morning sunlight at the point we finished our last hike in early evening darkness. This hike was a long, long walk on the beach, followed by a few final kilometers on city streets of Tel Aviv. We began on a nearly deserted stretch of shore; besides us there were just a few campers still asleep in their tents, and some fisherman tossing their lines out.