October 22nd was Armageddon day.
The Jerusalem crowd met at the Nayot gas station, and after getting assigned to cars started the drive to Megiddo.
At Megiddo, we met people coming from other parts of the country, and our guide, Dr. Norma Franklin of the The Megiddo Expedition.
Norma gave us an introduction to the history of Megiddo, highlighting various point about the site. One interesting point was the Megiddo was the site of the first documented battle in history.
We went through the site, getting some very interesting insights from someone who has been involved with the site for a few years.
We visited Norma’s active dig site, where a team was unearthing a spot where it seems like a kitchen fire caused some local destruction. Some whole ceramic vessels where found at the site, some containing grains. The find was too fresh to know what types of grains were found.
After visiting Megiddo’s amazing water system, and returning to the sites entrance, we had lunch.
After lunch we continued our tour with views of Megiddo’s temples.
Thanks to Steve for organizing this special tour and to Norma for providing interesting insights into the history of Megiddo.
Pictures
Gadi's Pictures
Steve's Pictures
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Gush Etzion at Night - August 26th, 2010
After meeting at the Paz gas station in Gilo, we drove to Sde Boaz section of Neve Daniel. The drivers took the cars to the end of the route, and then came back to find the rest of the group immitating icles.
After a short introduction by our guide, Ganit, we started walking back towards Neve Daniel. We made a short detour towards a spring. After returning to the main route we stopped at Nebi Daniel, the site the gave its name to the area and heard the story of the Nebi Daniel Convoy in 1948.
There was supposed to be a great view from this point, but we walking in a cloud and could not see anything.
Our next stop was the water tower, at 996 meters above sea level, the highest peak in the area. Again the view eluded us.
We continued through Neve Daniel and stopped and the only remains of the original site. The Cohen Farm. The site was purchased in 1935 as a farm, but was abandoned in 1936 during the Arab Revolt.
We left Neve Daniel and walked along the Patriarchs road. This is a small section of the anceint road the went along the top of the mountains of Judea and Sumaria. The Romans rebuilt the road and that is what we see today. Along the road we saw some Roman mile stones and a mikve that was probably used by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem.
Our next stop was a vinyard where we saw how mountain agriculture is used and how it was described in the bible.
We ended our walk at the load oak, the old center of Gush Etzion.
Thanks to Warren who organized our walk, and to Ganit, our Guide.
After a short introduction by our guide, Ganit, we started walking back towards Neve Daniel. We made a short detour towards a spring. After returning to the main route we stopped at Nebi Daniel, the site the gave its name to the area and heard the story of the Nebi Daniel Convoy in 1948.
There was supposed to be a great view from this point, but we walking in a cloud and could not see anything.
Our next stop was the water tower, at 996 meters above sea level, the highest peak in the area. Again the view eluded us.
We continued through Neve Daniel and stopped and the only remains of the original site. The Cohen Farm. The site was purchased in 1935 as a farm, but was abandoned in 1936 during the Arab Revolt.
We left Neve Daniel and walked along the Patriarchs road. This is a small section of the anceint road the went along the top of the mountains of Judea and Sumaria. The Romans rebuilt the road and that is what we see today. Along the road we saw some Roman mile stones and a mikve that was probably used by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem.
Our next stop was a vinyard where we saw how mountain agriculture is used and how it was described in the bible.
We ended our walk at the load oak, the old center of Gush Etzion.
Thanks to Warren who organized our walk, and to Ganit, our Guide.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Perseid Meteor Shower - August 12, 2010
Phyliss Wrote:
I volunteered to organize the August Mosaic event because for a long time I’ve wanted to take a guided tour of the stars with an astronomer. The nice thing about organizing a Mosaic hike (in this case, Mosaic event) is that you can plan the program you’d love to do, or tour of the site you always wanted to visit (which might be beyond your technical or financial ability if you had to do it alone) and then share it with everyone.
This year the peak of the Perseid meteor shower fell on August 12, two days after Rosh Chodesh, so the sky was as dark as could be. And August 12 was a Thursday night, which is when Mosaic weekends start. An ideal date to watch the stars…
When our buses left Jerusalem at 20:50, the sky was ominously overcast, and I seriously considered canceling the program. But “Astro Tom” Rosenfeld, our sky guide, who had already arrived at Mitzpe Masua, in Britain Park, phoned to tell me that the sky south of Beit Shemesh was reasonably clear. So, with some misgivings, 33 Mosaic chevre set out to join him.
Although I had engaged one astronomer guide, we lucked out when Tom showed up with his colleague Daniel Jackson and three telescopes. Tom and Daniel took turns giving over a history of astronomy from the Sumerians to Galileo; explaining about meteors, meteor showers, and meteorites; and answering all the questions that that everyone always wanted to ask an astronomer.
We all had opportunities to observe Jupiter through the telescopes, with its “belt” from 2 o’clock to 8 o’clock across its disk. Suspended in pitch-black space, Jupiter was swinging its partners — an entourage of four tiny bright points dancing just below it to its left — moons that unmistakably changed position between 10 pm and 1 am. The very same sight that astounded Galileo four centuries ago astounded me too, even though, unlike him, I should not have been surprised. But the difference between seeing Jupiter and its satellites with my own eyes and seeing them on film is like the difference between meeting someone face-to-face and looking at a photo album. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever come to communing with the cosmos.
We also had a telescopic look at the Andromeda galaxy, the only galaxy visible to the naked eye (well, maybe some people’s naked eyes, or perhaps it’s more visible on clearer nights). We also took a guided tour of the Milky Way and the more recognizable stars and constellations. Tom pointed them out with his green laser pointer, and told us about their histories and legends.
Only people crazy about the idea of a guided tour of the sky showed up, and the evening didn’t disappoint anyone — not even those who expected meteor showers to look like fireworks. (One “streak” every few minutes counts as a “heavy shower.”) Tom and Daniel kept us all engaged the whole time. I thought people would start to fidget after 2 1/2 hours, and I figured that we’d leave when people got bored; but after 4 hours I finally had to cut the program short to announce that it was time to return to the buses. By then the clouds were returning, so the timing wasn’t too bad.
As always, Warren outdid himself with a chocolate fudge cake, but it was too dark to serve it at the park. We ate it on the bus ride home, and it was truly delicious!
Many of the 33 participants expressed interest in attending another star-gazing event, in the Negev next time, where there will be no clouds or fog, no city lights or headlights, and no obnoxious teenagers 50 yards away glaring at us with their flashlights.
I volunteered to organize the August Mosaic event because for a long time I’ve wanted to take a guided tour of the stars with an astronomer. The nice thing about organizing a Mosaic hike (in this case, Mosaic event) is that you can plan the program you’d love to do, or tour of the site you always wanted to visit (which might be beyond your technical or financial ability if you had to do it alone) and then share it with everyone.
This year the peak of the Perseid meteor shower fell on August 12, two days after Rosh Chodesh, so the sky was as dark as could be. And August 12 was a Thursday night, which is when Mosaic weekends start. An ideal date to watch the stars…
When our buses left Jerusalem at 20:50, the sky was ominously overcast, and I seriously considered canceling the program. But “Astro Tom” Rosenfeld, our sky guide, who had already arrived at Mitzpe Masua, in Britain Park, phoned to tell me that the sky south of Beit Shemesh was reasonably clear. So, with some misgivings, 33 Mosaic chevre set out to join him.
Although I had engaged one astronomer guide, we lucked out when Tom showed up with his colleague Daniel Jackson and three telescopes. Tom and Daniel took turns giving over a history of astronomy from the Sumerians to Galileo; explaining about meteors, meteor showers, and meteorites; and answering all the questions that that everyone always wanted to ask an astronomer.
We all had opportunities to observe Jupiter through the telescopes, with its “belt” from 2 o’clock to 8 o’clock across its disk. Suspended in pitch-black space, Jupiter was swinging its partners — an entourage of four tiny bright points dancing just below it to its left — moons that unmistakably changed position between 10 pm and 1 am. The very same sight that astounded Galileo four centuries ago astounded me too, even though, unlike him, I should not have been surprised. But the difference between seeing Jupiter and its satellites with my own eyes and seeing them on film is like the difference between meeting someone face-to-face and looking at a photo album. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever come to communing with the cosmos.
We also had a telescopic look at the Andromeda galaxy, the only galaxy visible to the naked eye (well, maybe some people’s naked eyes, or perhaps it’s more visible on clearer nights). We also took a guided tour of the Milky Way and the more recognizable stars and constellations. Tom pointed them out with his green laser pointer, and told us about their histories and legends.
Only people crazy about the idea of a guided tour of the sky showed up, and the evening didn’t disappoint anyone — not even those who expected meteor showers to look like fireworks. (One “streak” every few minutes counts as a “heavy shower.”) Tom and Daniel kept us all engaged the whole time. I thought people would start to fidget after 2 1/2 hours, and I figured that we’d leave when people got bored; but after 4 hours I finally had to cut the program short to announce that it was time to return to the buses. By then the clouds were returning, so the timing wasn’t too bad.
As always, Warren outdid himself with a chocolate fudge cake, but it was too dark to serve it at the park. We ate it on the bus ride home, and it was truly delicious!
Many of the 33 participants expressed interest in attending another star-gazing event, in the Negev next time, where there will be no clouds or fog, no city lights or headlights, and no obnoxious teenagers 50 yards away glaring at us with their flashlights.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Tel-Aviv Bike Ride - July 1st 2010
We met at the bike shop at the corner of Ben Yehuda and Arlozorov in Tel-Aviv and got our bikes.
Sarah led us a few blocks south to Sderot Ben Gurion and then west towards the sea.
We rode north along the Shlomo Lahat promenade (Tayelet) passing by the Tel-Aviv port.
After crossing the Yarkon, we continued north passing the Reading power station, the Sde Dov airport, the Tel Baruch beach. We stopped along the way to watch the sunset. The northern point of our ride was at the entrance to Chof HaTzuk (The cliff beach).
After a short rest, we returned the same way we came until we crossed the Yarkon. We went for a ride in Park HaYarkon, which took us over bridges and under highways. We took a more or less circular route and ended up back at the Tel Aviv Port.
Another short ride brought us back to the bike shop. We returned our bikes and walked back to the park just south of the Hilton Hotel, where we had Cake and Ice Cream prepared by Sarah.
In total we rode about 20 km.
Thanks to Sarah for organizing and leading the ride.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Haifa - June 4th 2010
On June 4th, 2010, Mosaic went to Haifa to see the Baha'i Gardens and some of the older sections of town.
The organizer was Myla and the tour guide was Ilan Levin. The transportation arrangements were simple: everybody got there by themselves.
After the latecomers arrived, Ilan took us straight to the Gardens. We went down 700 steps through 18 well cultivated terraces. Because of the Baha'i love of symmetry in harmony, the first nine and the second nine terraces are all identical. The place couldn't be better maintained if a thousand volunteers were trimming the grass with toenail scissors. Who knows? Maybe they are.
Ilan told us about the history of the Baha'i and some of their basic beliefs. I think we were all pretty impressed by their individual worship and commitment to peace. Equally impressive is their absolute refusal to evangelize in Israel. In fact they won't even let an Israeli convert if he wants to in Israel.
Outside of the Gardens, we took a walk through parts of the Hadar and the old Haifa center. Ilan told us about the history of the place and about how we could read that history in the architecture.
We strolled through parts of the old German Colony and heard about the Templers, saw some of the original inscriptions on buildings which have been "gentrified."
The tour ended with a walk through Wadi Nisnas and some of the pieces remaining from its arts festival.
The day ended with a ride on Israel's only subway, the Carmelit.
Thanks Steve for writing this entry.
Pictures:
Steve's Pictures
The organizer was Myla and the tour guide was Ilan Levin. The transportation arrangements were simple: everybody got there by themselves.
After the latecomers arrived, Ilan took us straight to the Gardens. We went down 700 steps through 18 well cultivated terraces. Because of the Baha'i love of symmetry in harmony, the first nine and the second nine terraces are all identical. The place couldn't be better maintained if a thousand volunteers were trimming the grass with toenail scissors. Who knows? Maybe they are.
Ilan told us about the history of the Baha'i and some of their basic beliefs. I think we were all pretty impressed by their individual worship and commitment to peace. Equally impressive is their absolute refusal to evangelize in Israel. In fact they won't even let an Israeli convert if he wants to in Israel.
Outside of the Gardens, we took a walk through parts of the Hadar and the old Haifa center. Ilan told us about the history of the place and about how we could read that history in the architecture.
We strolled through parts of the old German Colony and heard about the Templers, saw some of the original inscriptions on buildings which have been "gentrified."
The tour ended with a walk through Wadi Nisnas and some of the pieces remaining from its arts festival.
The day ended with a ride on Israel's only subway, the Carmelit.
Thanks Steve for writing this entry.
Pictures:
Steve's Pictures
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Har Meron – May 27th – May 29th 2010
We all met the the Har Meron Field school on Thursday evening.
On Friday morning, we drove to the planned end of our hike and left tow cars there and then drove to the beginning of our hike at Chenyon HaIkul, the hairpin camp site. This is where Nachal Meron crosses road 866.
We started our climb to Har Meron at an altitude of 670 meters.
We started walking along the blue trail which corresponds to the Israel Trail at this point. After about 500 meters we left the blue trail and started climbing up towards Chribet Shama. We visited the ruins of an ancient Synagogue and a mausoleum that some say is the burial place of Shamai. The altitude here was about 770 meters.
We continued climbing along the Israel Trail. Our next stop was Elijah’s Chair. This is a large rock where according to some traditions, Elijah will appear. (Altitude 850 meters)
At this point the climb became less steep, and we could see our destination, the top of Har Meron. During the Climb we had great views of Meron and Shimon Bar Yochai's grave site.
Our next stop was Ein Zeved, A small spring that fills with water during the winter. Here we met a lone hiker and his dog. They were walking from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. (Altitude 1,000 meters).
Our next stop was a Huta, a large sinkhole, unique to Har Meron. There are several on the mountain. They are up to 120 meters deep. The one we visited was gated to people wouldn’t fall in.
Next we walked through fields belonging to Beit Jan to a memorial to a soldier who was killed in Lebanon in 1992. We then met a youth group who were hiking our route, but in reverse.
We arrived at the Har Meron trail head, and continued along the Summit Trail, that goes around the Har Meron Summit. (The actual Summit is occupied by an army base). (Altitude 1150 meters)
We stopped for lunch about half way around the trail. We had a great view to the north. (Altitude 1180 meters)
After lunch, we started our decent from Har Meron. The trail was steep at some points, but was mostly easy going. Our last stop was Chirbet Chamama (Altitude around 910 meters).
The plan had been to continue, but we were all tired. The drivers were taken to get the cars, and the rest of the group went back to the field school to prepare for Shabbat.
Michael (Our guide) suggested that we continue on the Israel Trail for a pleasant walk through forest the next day – just across the road outside the gate of the Field School. It was pleasantly cool under the trees, and we saw many flowers in bloom. Some hikers took the red trail to Nahal Moran, and still others took the perimeter walk inside the Field School complex.
The pot luck seems to have outdone itself this time with what looked like a quiche and cake contest and superb handmade sushi before our eyes. (thanks simcha laya).
Thanks to Maxine, Judith, and Craig for organizing the weekend, and to Michael, our guide, for a great job (and to Warren for outstanding baked goodies).
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
On Friday morning, we drove to the planned end of our hike and left tow cars there and then drove to the beginning of our hike at Chenyon HaIkul, the hairpin camp site. This is where Nachal Meron crosses road 866.
We started our climb to Har Meron at an altitude of 670 meters.
We started walking along the blue trail which corresponds to the Israel Trail at this point. After about 500 meters we left the blue trail and started climbing up towards Chribet Shama. We visited the ruins of an ancient Synagogue and a mausoleum that some say is the burial place of Shamai. The altitude here was about 770 meters.
We continued climbing along the Israel Trail. Our next stop was Elijah’s Chair. This is a large rock where according to some traditions, Elijah will appear. (Altitude 850 meters)
At this point the climb became less steep, and we could see our destination, the top of Har Meron. During the Climb we had great views of Meron and Shimon Bar Yochai's grave site.
Our next stop was Ein Zeved, A small spring that fills with water during the winter. Here we met a lone hiker and his dog. They were walking from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. (Altitude 1,000 meters).
Our next stop was a Huta, a large sinkhole, unique to Har Meron. There are several on the mountain. They are up to 120 meters deep. The one we visited was gated to people wouldn’t fall in.
Next we walked through fields belonging to Beit Jan to a memorial to a soldier who was killed in Lebanon in 1992. We then met a youth group who were hiking our route, but in reverse.
We arrived at the Har Meron trail head, and continued along the Summit Trail, that goes around the Har Meron Summit. (The actual Summit is occupied by an army base). (Altitude 1150 meters)
We stopped for lunch about half way around the trail. We had a great view to the north. (Altitude 1180 meters)
After lunch, we started our decent from Har Meron. The trail was steep at some points, but was mostly easy going. Our last stop was Chirbet Chamama (Altitude around 910 meters).
The plan had been to continue, but we were all tired. The drivers were taken to get the cars, and the rest of the group went back to the field school to prepare for Shabbat.
Michael (Our guide) suggested that we continue on the Israel Trail for a pleasant walk through forest the next day – just across the road outside the gate of the Field School. It was pleasantly cool under the trees, and we saw many flowers in bloom. Some hikers took the red trail to Nahal Moran, and still others took the perimeter walk inside the Field School complex.
The pot luck seems to have outdone itself this time with what looked like a quiche and cake contest and superb handmade sushi before our eyes. (thanks simcha laya).
Thanks to Maxine, Judith, and Craig for organizing the weekend, and to Michael, our guide, for a great job (and to Warren for outstanding baked goodies).
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Monday, April 12, 2010
Nachal Mishmar - April 9th 2010
Michelle wrote,
Our hike on Friday was spectacular.
We walked through a wadi/canyon called Nahal Mishmar near the Dead Sea.
We hiked up into the canyon, and waded through several pools of (slimey green) water sometimes hip depth. Occassionally, where the gorge narrowed, we had to climb up vertical rock (at one point over fifteen meters high) by gripping a series of giant horizontal steel staples imbedded in the rock. They were quite slippery and it was pretty dangerous if you ask me. The
important thing was to not look down (or up), but to maintain focus.
I didn't bring my camera on that hike because I knew it would be pretty hairy. Some hikers in our group of seventeen had a lot of trouble hoisting themselves up out of a slippery chute - the rope provided on the trail was too short. After some arduous moments, we all made it to the end of the narrow canyon - a "maayan" (spring) surrounded by a giant C-shaped formation of circular cliffs well over 100 feet high.
We hiked out along the ridge of the canyon which gradually sloped down toward the Dead Sea. It was a long day and we made it back to Jerusalem just in time for Shabbat.
One line comments:
"brilliant hike, one of the best I've done with Mosaic. beautiful scenery, flora and fauna, and fun with climbing ropes." Eliot Sacks
"Squooshed around in boots the whole day for gorgeous views" - Judith Appleton
Our hike on Friday was spectacular.
We walked through a wadi/canyon called Nahal Mishmar near the Dead Sea.
We hiked up into the canyon, and waded through several pools of (slimey green) water sometimes hip depth. Occassionally, where the gorge narrowed, we had to climb up vertical rock (at one point over fifteen meters high) by gripping a series of giant horizontal steel staples imbedded in the rock. They were quite slippery and it was pretty dangerous if you ask me. The
important thing was to not look down (or up), but to maintain focus.
I didn't bring my camera on that hike because I knew it would be pretty hairy. Some hikers in our group of seventeen had a lot of trouble hoisting themselves up out of a slippery chute - the rope provided on the trail was too short. After some arduous moments, we all made it to the end of the narrow canyon - a "maayan" (spring) surrounded by a giant C-shaped formation of circular cliffs well over 100 feet high.
We hiked out along the ridge of the canyon which gradually sloped down toward the Dead Sea. It was a long day and we made it back to Jerusalem just in time for Shabbat.
One line comments:
"brilliant hike, one of the best I've done with Mosaic. beautiful scenery, flora and fauna, and fun with climbing ropes." Eliot Sacks
"Squooshed around in boots the whole day for gorgeous views" - Judith Appleton
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