Butch and Kay

Yesterday we arrived home after another LONG plane ride. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Would we do it again? YOU BET! What better way to close this trip than to share with you a group picture. Butch p.s. - I hope you have enjoyed the blog. I want to express my appreciation to my sweet wife Kay for her patience in allowing me to spend the time that it takes to do a travel blog.... read more

Yesterday we drove east from Jerusalem into the Wilderness of Judah. We drove along the Dead Sea to the fortress of Masada. We then visited the ancient city of Qumran and viewed the ruins of the Essene community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls and even saw one of the caves where some scrolls were found. On the way back to Jerusalem, we stopped at Ein Gedi for a swim in the Dead Sea. BTW, I want to thank my sweet wife Kay for the pictures & information for this report. I was under the weather & spent the day at the hotel. More tomorrow!... read more

Yesterday we began our tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. We began at the top of the Mount of Olives for an overview and introduction to the city. We then proceeded down the slopes to the Garden of Gethsemane. After a brief service in an olive grove, we headed to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) and then a trip through the Western Wall tunnel. We then paid a visit to Mount Zion to see the traditional spot of King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. We finished the day at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. More tomorrow!... read more

Yesterday we spent the day in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee region. We began the morning with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. From there, we headed to Capernaum to see ruins of a synagogue that dates from three to four centuries after Jesus and ruins believed to be the house of Simon Peter. We then headed to Caesarea Philippi. We finished out the day at Mt. Arbel which lies along the famous Via Maris, the ancient “Highway 1” that connected Egypt and Mesopotamia. More tomorrow!... read more

Yesterday we landed at the airport in Tel Aviv. A very long plane ride but we were excited as we checked into our hotel, the Renaissance Tel Aviv Hotel. After check in, we headed to the restaurant downstairs for our first non-airplane meal in 24 hours. Trey prayed over the meal & Mike gave us a preview of our first tour stops tomorrow!... read more