Day Four: The final conquest

There's nothing quite like a bible, a journal, and hot chocolate on a beautiful Galilee morning, Adventurer #3 decided.

Nothing quite like playing in the cool waters and having a small fire of coals.

Unfortunately, the peacefulness couldn't last forever. The activities of the last day of the adventure beckoned, and after breakfast and another dip in the lake, the adventurers rose to meet the days challenges.

The first leg of their journey went around the lake and to the top of Mt. Arbel where they would have had a spectacular view of the lake region, if the air had been clearer. Undaunted, they climbed down the cliff and explored the caves that had sheltered Jewish rebels during the time of Herod the Great.

After climbing back up they made their way to Tiberias where some members of the team were nearly vanquished by a shwarma...and eggplant.

Though the danger was mortal, their lives were miraculously preserved and they spent some small time exploring the water front.

Cramming themselves into their minute vehicle once more, they journeyed to one more crusader out-post, Belvoir. Once there they managed to procure some armor for this, their final assault upon a castle.

From the armory they proceeded to the art gallery where they posed with a holy heart.

The assault on the castle itself was brief, but bitterly fought. In the skirmish the moat monsters took possession of Adventurer #4 and held her for ransom for most of the rest of their time at the castle. The rest of the explorers considered the inside of the castle and admired the spectacular view of the Jordan Valley that could be seen from that height.

All too soon it was time to get back in the now beloved car for the last leg of the journey home. As the adventurers drove down the Jordan valley they caught sight of the full moon rising over the Jordanian hills across the way and paused to savor the moment with the last of the Druze apples.

Even adventures must come to an end, or at least a transition point. The five adventurers, blessed with friendship and memories, transitioned back into the adventure of daily life in Israel.

Day Three: Mightier than Nimrod

The small platoon rose early and broke camp at the crack of dawn.

...Or perhaps a bit later...

The cool breezes and quiet plash of the waves on the shore were so peaceful that even once wakened, the adventurers paused in their campaign to enjoy the waters and ate a companionable breakfast together.

Soon after breakfast, however, they packed everything up and squished back into the car, intent upon bringing yet another fortress under their dominion.

Though they were determined in their missions, a sign appeared and sent them on a detour. (You know, sort of like an omen, but actually, more like street sign.) The hexagon pool seemed to be calling them. Adventurer #3 who remembered in past days expressing a desire to visit the hexagon pools was overjoyed when, on a whim, Adventurer #1 turn the car off the main highway and down a dirt road in pursuit of said pool.

This hike too the pool, though backwards by most standards (what is the deal with always going down and then back up here?) was short, the geologic formations were entrancing, and the water was cold. Not feet-numbing cold as Adventurer #3 was accustomed to in her mountainous home, but pleasantly chilly when compared to the warmth of the day.

The wildlife was even amenable to having pictures taken.

The adventurers even tried out their parachuting technique, jumping from some rocks into the pool. It might need a little more work.

After having enjoyed the pool and a bit of lunch, the team of 5 continued on their way, refreshed and ready for battle. Passing through a small village, they took stock of their rations, and, realizing the imminent possibility of starvation if more food was not attained quickly, they paused to purchase provisions for the remainder of their journey.

Continuing on their way, they soon caught sight of the objective of their quest: Nimrod's Castle. Hastening to climb the hill it was situated upon, they soon came face-to-face with the walls of the fortress. Working as a well oiled machine, they quickly scaled the walls, dispatched the guards and soldiers, and took control of the fort.

They surveyed their new domain.

They spent some time becoming intimately acquainted with the north east tower and with the more illustrious personages who inhabited their castle (i.e. rock hyraxes).

Then, with the hour growing late, they started to make their way back to their campsite, pausing only for important things like ice, hot chocolate, and firewood (which was gathered with the sole purpose of making their ride back to camp just that much more squished and uncomfortable...but ended up being useful for cooking their evening meal as well).

Again this night there was great enjoyment in the sea and around the fire as the friends rested and played and talked together into the night before quietly dropping off to sleep.

Day Two: Cair Paravel and Beyond

Friday morning at 8am on the dot (or perhaps a little after the dot) the five adventures were on their way, continuing north along the coast. They knew where they were going but not how to get there. Turning in search of information they suddenly saw the object of their desire: the Baha'i gardens, in all their manicured glory. It turns out that the five adventurers have mad luck like that. It also turns out that only a couple levels of the gardens are open to tourists not on a tour, so the five adventurers only managed a view at the bottom...

...and from the top.

Perhaps it as just as well. Worn out from their adventures the previous night, the five stalwart companions were in no shape to climb thousands of stairs that morning.

Instead, they continued in their journey northward. Once, they encountered and Israeli Napoleon, who fortunately allowed them to pass unchallenged. However, he did charge them to go to Acco and to conquer where he had failed. They did.

With the city firmly beneath their feet, the ravenous friends set out in search of sustenance. Adventurer #1 followed his nose to the falafel, which was quickly consumed.

Filled and happy they continued their exploration of this newly conquered city. Tyranny was not their objective, but before their benevolence was known some of the natives jumped off the city walls into the Mediterranean in an attempt to escape.

Fortunately no lives were lost and the natives soon returned to the city, basking in the favor of their new rulers.

However, like Alexander the Great, the army of five felt the need for new challenges, new land to conquer, and so they move onward, heading west and north into the hills in search of a rumored stronghold in the land: the Crusader Castle Montfort. Riding swiftly (i.e. trudging) they crested a ridge and paused to enjoy the breath-taking view and to form their plan of attack.

The castle was deserted, but as they began to wend their way through the trees and overgrown shrubs and rocky passages they began to wonder if they had somehow made their way through a wardrobe door and arrived at Cair Paravel.

Meanwhile, however, a battalion of orcs (*scream*)

arrived at the castle and attacked the adventurers five. The orcs were soon vanquished, but in the battle the five were separated, thus accounting for the difficulty they had in all arriving at the vehicle at the same time.

Leaving Cair Paravel behind they traveled through Archenland and the most magnificent mountain and valley view any of them had seen in this country, and so they left Narnia behind.

That night they encamped at the Sea of Galilee, bathing in the cool waters and roasting meat over a roaring fire.

There the group of five was joined by five more adventurers (Joshua, Bethany, Seth, Emily, and Steve). The ground was hard and rocky, but as Adventurer #1 was heard to say, "The rocks get softer the longer you're here." None of the adventurers struggled with sleeplessness that night.

(we love JUC!)