a few more Dead Sea photo's

 Sunset over the Dead Sea

 Another Shoreline view

 Hiking from Makawr (where John the Baptist was beheaded) towards the Dead Sea a drop of nearly 10,000 feet in just a couple of miles. 

 looking a bit hazy, but you can still see the Israeli side.  Often it is not possible to see the opposite shore. 

The Dead Sea

 Can I tell you how hard it is to get clear photo's of the Dead Sea???  One of the advantages of living in the Middle East is more exposure and more of a chance to see the Dead Sea when it is clear.  Usually there is a dense mist in the air... if it is too hot, too cold or depending on what weather systems are passing over and evaporation rate.  At about 1,400 feet below sea level and nearly 1,000 feet deep at its greatest depth, it is the lowest place on earth. 

 Though most of the shore line is desolate, there are places of lush vegetation.  These first 2 shots are from the Israeli side of the Dead Sea and the rest are on the Jordanian side. 

 The stark desolation in contrast to what appears to be normal water.  The white around the shore is salt.  2 things are happening to the Dead Sea.  #1. the great rift is opening & the the Dead sea is sinking at a rate of about 30 centimeters, or about an inch and a half every year.  #2. both Israel and Jordan have diverted almost all of the fresh water from the Jordan, Yarmuk, and Arnon Rivers, that used to empty into the Dead Sea.  This article states that in 2012 alone, the Dead Sea dropped a record 4.9 feet! http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/2529431-95/sea-dead-israel-jordan

Supposedly one of the health benefits of going to the Dead Sea is smearing the black sticky mud all over yourself and then going for a "swim" in the Sea.  Hotels on both sides cater to tourists desiring to try this healing treatment.  

a couple of tips....
Don't swim in the Dead Sea if you have ANY open sores!  The water will clean them out and probably is a good (although not very comfortable) disinfectant.

Don't get water into any openings in your body! At 35% salinity it can have an unbelievable sting.  Otherwise have fun and take a good shower afterwards. 

Ein Kerem - the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist

 Here, just 5 miles or so west of Jerusalem is the little town of Ein Kerem, nestled in a valley of the Judean hills.  This is the traditional site of the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth and the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist.  It is about 10 or so miles from Bethlehem (depending on the route taken).  The ONLY clue we get from the scriptures is in Luke 1:39 "And Mary... went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda." and of course, when Herod killed the babes in Bethlehem, it included (Matt 2:16) "all the coasts thereof (around Bethlehem) from 2 years old and under."

 a beautiful mosaic on the front of a Catholic church in Ein Kerem depicting Mary's trip there.

 a view looking east towards Jerusalem on the horizon.  Bethlehem would be on the right behind the hill in the foreground.

 An ancient well that supplies water for  Ein Kerem, called Mary's well.

a couple more photos of the hills of Judea.  They are heavily forested, as you can see.  This heavily forested land has not seen much settlement as the land is stony, but this is the country that lies between Jerusalem and Bethlehem and provided a buffer between Israel and the Philistines.  David came through the Judean hills to the Elah Valley where he fought with Goliath.