Back to the Back
Cousin Tia and I returned to the Israel Trail last week for our second hike with Avi and Al Hashvil. To reduce the climbs and increase the descents, the direction of the hike, from Tel Hai to Yiftah, was inverted. To simplify logistics, the group gathered at Tel Hai and a bus took us to the starting point near Yiftah in the Hills of Naftali. I said I would be happy to serve as the group's rearguard once again. Escort Omri set a channel on the walkie-talkie and handed it to me. I sensed some amusement, or perhaps urgency, in his giving me the device before I could change my mind.