On Tuesday and Wednesday, February 24 and 25, we did an extensive driving tour of the north of Israel.  We drove from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean coast—to Caesarea, through Haifa, to Akko (Acre), to Ein Hod (and the former but now displaced Arab village of Ein Hud) and then to Moshav Zippori for the night.

The next day we drove up Mt. Carmel, to the Galilee, to the Lebanese border, and then to the Golan Heights.  In the Golan Heights we had wonderful hummous with ground meat, along with all the Israeli soldiers, at a Druse village.  We passed the only Israeli ski area (no snow).  We then headed south to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret to Israelis), the roman ruins at Beit Shan, through the West Bank, past many Jewish settlements, and finally back to Jerusalem.

I’ll add more impressions of the trip when I get a chance to write again tonight.  For now, here a few photo highlights:

King Herod’s coliseum at Ceasarea
Crusader castle at Ceasarea—entrance with sharp right turn
Remains of Roman aqueduct, which brought fresh water to Caesarea.  Mediterranean Sea in background
Israeli Arab boy (that’s worth a whole discussion) showing off his horse on the pier at Akko
Yes, they have a marina and yes, I had to look at the boats
Joe with favorite Hellenized Jewish lady at ancient city of Sepphoris, now known as Zippori
Lewis with Joe’s favorite Hellenized Jewish lady