Israel Archives - ***Asterisks

I’ve Joined the Club

26 October 2010

Since I first learned that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure [for breast cancer] would be held in Jerusalem on October 28th, I have had the date marked on my calendar. But a couple weeks ago I realized I would not be able to participate. I recently went to see the dermatologist for my annual check of moles and spots (I’ve got lots, but nothing has ever raised a flag). I also wanted to ask the doctor to remove what I thought was a fatty deposit on the side of my nose near my eye, since it was constantly irritated by the nosepad of my eyeglasses. Earlier this summer my ophthalmologist had identified a small bump on my eyelid as a trivial fatty deposit, so when this similar-looking (in my mind) bump appeared on my nose later…

Insights of an MTBO Amateur

12 October 2010

Now that I have biked in about 20 mountain bike orienteering (MTBO) events, 17 of which were Israeli MTBO league meets, I've reached some conclusions about my relationship with this esoteric sport. Insight Number 1. For me there are two kinds of events: the ones that make me say, "That was beyond my ability. I'm not going to do another MTBO event again"; and the ones that make me say, "That was a great challenge. I'll be back for more." It would be wonderful if every event could evoke the latter response, but that's not the case. I've taken stock, and have counted 5 of those 17 events made me want to quit. In those instances, a combination of two or more factors were to blame: (A) The trails and terrain were beyond my riding abilities, meaning I had…

Turn, Turn, Turn – A New Season on the Israel Trail

3 October 2010

Segment 19 - Tel Afek to Tel Aviv, along the Yarkon River * September 25, 2010. Officially it's now autumn. Our clocks have already been switched to winter (standard) time. But judging from the extreme and unbearable heat, it is still summer. That made it tough to be on the Israel Trail during the week of Succot, but we were eager to get back into the hiking mode. To begin our hiking season I selected a easy segment close to home, along the Yarkon river. I gave Yuval the choice of direction. He prefered to end the hike in Ramat Hahayal where ice-cream and frozen yoghurt shops would await us. Our group comprised just 10 hikers, mostly core members and a couple guests, after several last-minute cancellations. We began our hike just outside the Tel Afek National Park, at the Rosh HaAyin train station, shortly before 8 a.m. The sky was overcast and the air…

Israel Trail 2009-2010 Recap

4 July 2010

Despite a 2-month suspension of hiking due to my retinal detachment in November, we completed 10 hikes on the Israel National Trail this (academic) year for a total of about 140 kilometers. It's hard to be exact on the distance measurement. I activate the GPS recording when we commence walking, and stop it when we reach the end of the hike. Sometimes our hikes include a kilometer or more on a "connector" trail to the point where we pick up the Israel Trail. I've also accidentally paused recording a few times, and have had to estimate the length of the unrecorded segment. It's really not critical. Eventually we will have bragging rights to 940 kilometers - the official distance of the trail. So far, we've done about 200. Three of our regular hiker couples went off -- independently of…

MTBO – A Marketing Idea

24 June 2010

Listening to the discussion at the ISOA general assembly this week, I heard a lot of good marketing ideas. Driving home, I began to formulate an idea, inspired by a non-riding friend who said, "why don't you go where the bikers are?" Yes, indeed, we need to bring MTB orienteering to the bikers. Like the hostesses at supermarkets who offer shoppers a sample of new foods, we need to give bikers a flavorful taste of MTBO.

MTBO at Gevaram

21 June 2010

Prior to the mountain bike orienteering event at Gevaram, I had begun announcing my intention to quit doing MTBO. Having tried it for 2 years, I still don't have the expertise or confidence to go out without a riding partner (Yuval). I'm happy to do MTBO in the fields of Yizrael, but not in the hills of Alon Hagalil. I do not have the skills or fitness of a serious trail rider. I prefer "KKL" trails to "singles", flat routes rather than climbs and steep descents, soft paths rather than rocky roads. Riding conditions at Gevaram were exactly the kind I prefer. I actually got to ride my bike -- rather than push it -- for practically the entire course. Makes me have second thoughts about continuing in the sport

Farewell to Spring on the Israel Trail

19 April 2010

Segments 6-7 – Lower Nahal Amud to Migdal * Only two weeks had elapsed since our last hike on the Israel National Trail. But we took to the trail again to catch the springtime greenery and blossoms before they dry and fade away for the summer. Once again it was a hot day, but the 9 hearty hikers who showed up were ready and eager for another adventure. After leaving one car at the gas station in Migdal, we drove to the gas station at Kedarim, where we parked our other cars, enjoyed a good cup of Segafredo coffee, and then headed for the trail. Note: I plan the hiking route and prepare the maps, which I put in Yuval's hands. Yuval is responsible for keeping us on course since I take photos continuously during the hikes and am liable to miss…

MTBO at Eshtaol Forest

18 April 2010

My husband Yuval and I have been riding MTBO events together for the past two years. Often we ride the course with a couple friends (who may or may not have a map). I wear a Garmin Forerunner 305 and keep a log of my sporting activities. The MTBO event at Eshtaol Forest this past weekend proved quite a challenge for even the serious and seasoned riders. So I've decided to share my impressions of the event.

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.

Israel Trail Guidebook Author Zevi Gilat

21 May 2009

Best Wishes from the Israel Trail Guidebook Author * Last week I attended an interesting lecture about the tombs of the righteous. The speaker, who has published a book on the subject, was none other than Zevi Gilat, author of the Israel Trail guidebook. After the lecture I approached Zevi, told him I had organized a group to hike the trail, pulled the guidebook out of my bag, and asked him to autograph it. He very kindly wrote an inscription, dedicated to me and my hiking friends. "To Lisa and to those walking the way, best wishes for a good journey, from Zevi Gilat" Summer Hiking Segments Save the dates. Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 31. We will hike along the sea shore in the late afternoon, followed by a kumsitz (campfire picnic) when the sun goes down. On July 3, moonrise…