I've been planning this blog for years. After each special hike that I do, I organize the pictures and plan to write all about it. This time, in honor of my 50th Birthday, I am really starting. (Note the large print for those over 50.) Shalom and I instituted the custom of going on birthday hikes in honor of the special day. We decided that there is no better present than taking the day off and hiking in Israel.
Usually I decide where I want to go, especially when it's my birthday, but this time, Shalom informed me that he is planning the hike. We were supposed to leave the house at 5 am and he wasn't telling me why. I was up and ready on time, but we didn't get out the door before 5:30. The older kids were not home, so Shalom made sure to leave a note for Hila and Efrat that there were fresh bread rolls on the kitchen table and that they should have a good day.
We got into the car, and Shalom immediately started talking. We discussed some ideas from the Parsha, and then some of my shiurim from the past week. After about 20 minutes, Shalom realized that he had forgotten something at home. Actually, he pulled into a parking area at the Southwest side of the Meiron mountain range and at first I thought that we were starting there. But, no, we just turned around and headed home. Shalom got what he needed and we head off again... I could have slept another 40 minutes!!!
About an hour later we arrived at the Yehudiya National Reserve. We've hiked there before, but Shalom knows that I love it there because of the pools of water. We park. Shalom got out and I turned around to get my stuff and follow him, when Hila and Efrat jumped up from the back seat and started singing "Happy Birthday". Boy, was I surprised! I have no idea how they managed to stay quiet for so long during the drive.
I got out of the car and Ezra appeared. Two minutes later, Shlomo arrived with a large bulging backpack. By then, I understood. We were going rapelling in the "Black Crevice" (Nakik HaShachor). I've hiked the upper Zavitan and swam in the pools there. I have also hiked to the lower and smaller pools further down, but I never was able to hike the connecting section which is only accessible to groups with permits for rappelling.
Shlomo finished his rappelling course a few months ago, and ever since has been trying to convince me to go with him. I told him that Friday's I'm too busy getting ready for Shabbat, but I would really love to go to the "Black Crevice" on my birthday. Shlomo didn't forget. What Shalom forgot at the house, was the permit for getting in, which Shlomo was able to attain at the last minute due to his "protekzia" (connections) and good luck.
We started off heading for the large water fall and pool. We didn't want to miss it, since it's so special. Hiking in the Golan in the summer is hot. The landscape is usually yellow because of the dried grasses, and black from the lava stones. What's special is getting to the pools to cool down. It was wonderful- because it was still early and a school day, we were the only ones there!!
We all jumped in and refreshed ourselves, ate a snack and headed to the entrance to the "Black Crevice". Finally, I didn't have to pass by one more time without entering. This time I could go!!
Along the nahal (stream) we had to climb over and around plenty of boulders. There was plenty of water and lots of green.
We arrived at the first waterfall. There was a large group there and instead of setting up the ropes, everyone was jumping the 4 meter fall into the pool below. It was a bit scary, but not much different than the high dive- so I jumped. It was fun!!
After swimming across the pool (no other way to go), we got to the first waterfall where he had to rappel down. Shlomo set up the ropes, and Ezra was the first to go down so he could take pictures. Hila and Efrat followed. Shlomo had taken them before so they knew what to do. It was Shalom and my first time, and I was scared. What if I'm not strong enough? How am I supposed to know what to do. I couldn't really see the others go down since they were over the waterfall on the other side. Shalom went before me and I tried to understand Shlomo's instructions.
And then it was my turn. I stepped into the climbing harness and tightend the straps. Shlomo attached the ring to the ropes and I stepped over the ledge. It did not come naturally. I wanted to stay close to the cliff, but I had to lean back away from the cliff. Slowly, I opened my hand that held the rope to release a bit of rope and let myself down. I had to concentrate to keep my legs far enough apart to give me balance so I wouldn't keep over to one of the sides. Slowly, I got the hang of it. I couldn't believe that the first time I was rappeling, I had such a complicated situation where I had to move over to the right and get over a large rock without landing in the intermediary pool beneath me, since I had to continue down to a further pool on the right. I did it!!
The climb down ended in a pool of water and we all had to swim to the other side. The hike continued along the lush side of the Nahal. Ezra was our official photographer, but when we got to the pools, he wrapped the camera and swam with the bag above the water. You need really strong arm muscles for that!
After awhile we got to the last waterfall that we had to climb down. Both of the drops were about 20-30 meters. This time I was first. The second water fall was easier than the first, and this time I was "experienced". It takes awhile for everyone to get down, and meanwhile, there's plenty of time to swim. The pool at the bottom was the longest one, and here too, we had to swim to the other side.
If you click on the pictures, they will open up much bigger and with nice resolution!
Down by the water, we had lots of green growing. We climbed through bamboo reeds, and along the oleander (harduf) bushes with bright pink flowers on both sides of the Nahal. On the climb up, the grasses were dried out, and the most prominent flowers were the purple "Kipodan" (Echinops) Flowers, with sharp needles like the needles of a hedgehog ("kipod") hidden under the pretty purple petals.
Overall, the hike was especially challenging and fun. By the time we got back to the car, everyone was
famished. Birthday hikes usually end up at a restaurant, and I assumed that we would go today, too. First, though, we had a stop in Chispin where we met David on his last day of school. Unfortunately, he was unable to join us because he had a bagrut while we were hiking. David loaded the back of our car with all his school stuff and then said goodbye as he was heading our with his Yeshiva to a water-park.
We piled into the car and headed out towards Haifa. Shalom suggested that we stop by Ayelet to change clothes before going to eat. Once again, I innocently, believed him, and was once again I was surprised when I found the rest of the family waiting for me in Ayelet's apartment which was decorated with balloons and a fancy full table of good food. The kids who weren't hiking with us spent the day preparing a huge delicious dinner.
It was a special happy birthday. Thank you everyone!!
