Slumdog Adventure on the Israel Trail

Slumdog Adventure on the Israel Trail

5 July 2009
Segment 17-18: Netanya to Gaash *   After two rather conventional Saturday morning hikes through the fields and forests of Israel, our third hike was a different sort of adventure. It was a Friday afternoon hike that took us first through the urban landscape of Netanya, and then along the seashore from Poleg to Gaash, and ended at the Hof Hasharon National Park with a night-time picnic lit by a nearly full moon and flashlights. Friday afternoon. 4 p.m. We leave a couple cars at the Gaash beach parking lot, and head for Netanya. I have not been in Netanya for some 20 years. Downtown does not seem any different than what I remember. 16:30: We are pleased to find the designated parking lot in Netanya is empty and free of charge! Weather is lovely. We are a group of…
The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

8 June 2009
Segment 22: Latrun to Shaar Hagai * For our second hike on the Israel Trail we were a group of 18. We were missing 7 from the first hike, several of whom were unfortunately suffering from back ailments. The 6 newcomers had expressed interest from the start, but for various reasons had not been on the first hike. (My apologies to the group: we forgot to take a group photo this time. We must remember to do on every hike.) 6:45: Meet-up at gas station near Messilat Zion, regrouping into 4 cars, and shuttle back to Latrun. 7:15: The GPS (”the Garmin”) starts recording. We leave the parking lot next to the restaurant and head north to reconnect with the trail where we left the trail last time. We walk around the east side of the Armored Corps Museum…

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…

Get Set for our Second Hike on the Israel National Trail

17 May 2009
In light of feedback and requests following our first hike, this is the plan for our second hike. (1) The date remains as originally planned: Shabbat, June 6. Sorry, cannot be changed! Please confirm your participation by May 30. (2) In addition to the 19 people who hiked the first segment, another 12 people are also on the list. If I do not receive 20 confirmations by May 30, I will let you know spaces are available for newcomers. (3) We will slow down the pace a bit to keep the group together. Specifically, we will stop more often -- as a group -- to snack, sing, chat, view the vistas, learn about the sites, and to simply enjoy moments of pleasure and comradarie on the Israel Trail. (4) Varda Ingels has volunteered to share her knowledge about this…
The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

2 May 2009
Segment 21: Mitzpeh Modiin to Latrun *  My emails, phone calls and conversations over the past few weeks produced a group of 17 people ready to roll on the Israel Trail this morning. Here, then, is my account of our first hike: 6:45: Quick introductions in the restaurant parking lot at Latrun, regrouping into 3 cars, and shuttle to Mizpeh Modiin in Ben Shemen Forest. 7:29: The GPS ("the Garmin") starts recording. 7:33: We misread a trailblaze and turn off the main road onto a footpath in the forest. It's not a serious mistake, and actually takes us on a more pleasant route through the woods for 5 minutes. 8:08 (2.4 km): After climbing and descending several hills, we emerge from the Ben Shemen Forest. We head through the olive groves. 8:15 (3 km): We are moving at a…