Negev Desert Adventures

During a move, things inevitably slip through the cracks.  Some big, some small. We'll have to report on the bigger things once our household goods do or do not make it to our final destination here in the states.  In the meantime, we discovered a post that for some reason was never posted.  Just sifting through these pictures brings back many fond memories.  Israel already seems so far away, but pictures bring us right back there. It is hard to believe that the time is up.

These are pics from our March 2013 trip to the Negev desert in central Israel. Good times, indeed.

First stop: Colored Sands. Any guesses why they call it that?

 

 

The desert blooms in the spring. This red flower only grows in the Negev. Above right is an acacia tree, which is the same wood that was used in the building of the tabernacle. 

Second Stop: The 'Small' Crater (it's not exactly small)

Third Stop: Negev Camel Ranch
We trekked along the Scorpion Trail, which has been used by traders (and American tourists from Tel Aviv) since Biblical times.

Yep, our kids love camels. They have logged more time on camels than horses by now. Will also learned an important lesson after getting kicked in the head by a Camel while trying to pet her baby (no adults actually saw this happen, but Will had the bruise to prove it).
Lesson learned...don't get between a mamma & her baby!

Day 2: Avdat National Park, in central Israel. This place was absolutely beautiful. It reminded us a little of Petra, without all the buildings carved into rocks. It was actually settled by the same folks (Nabateans) back in the day. We'll let the pictures do the talking...

Where's Will?

Where's Will (above & below)?

The view of the cavern from above was stunning. Getting down was equally exciting...

Lydia & EJ were greeted by a cheering class of Israeli high-schoolers as they came down the stairs. Hurray for not falling!

The Phosai family...they are our friends who invited us along on this little weekend adventure & introduced us to this little gem of a national park.

Shalom Ya'll! Team Welch

PS-Thanks again, Phosai fam! You guys rock...