Bike Ride - October 30th 2009

After the bike ride was postponed because of the heat (riding in 3 degrees is no fun), we all got together for a bike ride around Mesilat Tzion.

We met near the pool in Mesilat Tzion. Once everyone arrived, we had a short lesson on using the gears and breaks on the bikes and were each given a bike.

After a very short section on the streets of Mesilat Tzion, we started climbing up the Eshtaol Scenic Path.

The rest of our route took us through Rabin Park, parts of the Burma Road and back to Mesilat Tzion.

Some riders even had a chance to try out a Tandem Bike.

Luckily, the skies opened up just as we finished the ride.

Thanks to Phillip for organizing the ride.

Golan - September 10th-12th 2009

This is a place holder. If anyone would like to write up a short description of the hike, please let me know

Armon HaNatziv - August 27th 2009

We met at the Haas Promenade overlooking The Old City.
After a short walk towards the Armon HaNatziv neighbourhood, we arrived at the entrance to the tunnels.

The tunnels are part of a water system the brought water from Hebron to Jerusalem. The original system was built by the Hasmoneans, and then rebuilt by the Romans, Crusaders, Turks and British (and possible others).

Along the tunnels there are sections where you can see the original plaster, clay pipes from the Turkish period.

After an explanation about the water systems, we walked through the tunnels. The end is below the Haas Promenade.

The next section of our walk was along the UN compound's fence.

After the walk we all gathered at Fiona's apartment for a lovely supper.

Thanks to Maxine, Judy and Fiona for organizing everything, and to Shelly, our guide.

Nachal Dolev - August 6th 2009

On Thursday, August 6th, 2009, we met for a moonlight hike in Nachal Dolev (or at least, that was the plan).

We met near the turn off to the Shimshon (Stalactite) Cave. From there we drove to the beginning of our route.

After the drivers returned from leaving the cars at the end of the route, we started walking. It was a beautiful cool night. Someone from Tel-Aviv remarked the it was nice to be able to breath.

At one point we came to the conclusion that we had made a wrong turn some where, and instead of walking in Nachal Dolev, we were walking above it. Since it would have been very difficult to get lost we decided to just follow the trail and see where it took us.

The trail took us to the end of the trail we had wanted to take. We backtracked a bit into Nachal Dolev, so we could say we were there, and then continued towards the end of the route where the cars were waiting.

The drive back to the beginning of the route was a bit crowded, but we made it OK, and everyone got home OK.

Thanks to Steve for organizing the walk.

Jaffa - July 23rd, 2009

Mosaic met veteran guide Yona Wiseman (www.yonawise.com), and took her tour titled,
"Tour of Jaffa - One of the Oldest Cities in the World":

Walk through the Old City of Jaffa, where Bible stories come alive. Enjoy the alleyways lined with art shops and studios of famous artists. Visit the port, once a gateway to Jerusalem and today filled with fishing boats. Pay a visit to the Flea Market in the area."
Warren Z organized a full list of participants. But first, how to get the strength to tour? Dinner (arranged by Maxine) at Il Cafe Yafo (http://cafeyaffo.rest-e.co.il/) where we feasted on wonderful Italian food topped off by caffe and homemade ice cream.
It was an effort to leave the a/c place and set out for the hot streets, but Yona's photos of Jaffa a century ago made history come alive. A good time was had by all.

Fiona's pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/fvernea/JaffaJuly2009

Climbing Wall – Friday, July 3rd, 2009 – It’s a matter of Trust

Inspired by the varied athletic activities offered by Mosaic International and by one of our own intrepid climbers (and by shortened cherry picking season), Mosaic Jerusalem Summer Fun began with indoor rock climbing at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. After we were all "harnessed," Tom explained how to pull rope. A nice group of new faces and veteran participants, some experienced rock climbers and most of us first timers, paired off and stood near the colorful climbing wall.

Partners of roughly the same weight had to put their lives in each others hands.

A picnic in Nayot Park rounded off the activity.

Thank you, Kate, for organizing a fun day!

Har Meron – June 4th-6th 2009

Most of us slept over at the Har Meron Field School on Thursday night.

After breakfast at the field school, we met the guide, and a few people who joined us just for the hike, and started walking.

The first leg of our hike took us to the top of Har Meron, the highest peak in the Upper Galilee at over 1200 meters. Most of the way was under cover. We saw many interesting plants, unique to the area, including Moss and Cedars.

Towards the end of the climb, the view opened up, and we say the whole north eastern part of the country, including the Hermon, the Golan Heights, and the northern part of the Upper Galilee. We also had a view into Lebanon. From this point we walked along the last part of the summit trail (A trail that goes around the peak of Har Meron. We rested for a bit at the parking lot, where we met a group of soldiers who were cleaning up the area.

The next leg of our hike took us from the peak of Har Meron down to the beginning of Nachal Kziv. Our first stop of this leg was an ancient threshing floor. We then walked through the ruins of Chirbet Bek, a Jewish settlement form the beginning of the 19^th century. Here we say an example of secondary use. A mill stone was being use as a trough for the local sheep and goats. We continued down the hill. The last part of the decent was on a road built by the residents of Beit Jan to access their fields.

One reaching the bottom of the hill, we stopped for lunch under some peach, or was in plumb, trees.

After lunch, we continued along Nachal Kziv. Our plan was to connect with the 'Road of Contention', but construction of new fields and orchards had moved the trail. After looking for a path for about halfan hour, our guide led us over some fences and through some fields towards the 'Road of Contention'.

The 'Road of Contention' was built through the Meron Nature reserve by the residents of Beit Jan and Hurfeish to shorten the trip between the two villages.

Along the road there is a memorial to the 73 soldiers who were killed in 1997 when two helicopters collided in mid air over Shear Yeshuv. One of the soldiers was from Beit Jan, and this is his memorial.

Towards the end of the road, we left it, and started walking up Nachal Moran, which would take us back to the field school. Along the wat we passed Einot Neriya, a group of springs that flow all year round.

On Shabbat, several groups took a walk to Nachal Neriya. One group encountered a large herd of goats that were on the way to graze.

Many thanks to Craig who coordinated the hike, and to our guide Michael.