INDY'S MACCABIAH BLOG: Day 11 - Road Trip to Masada

I left my aunt and uncle's home at 12 am to meet up with Wiz a few miles north in Herzelia. We hung out at the Dan Acadia Hotel until 2am chatting intensely over a few drinks. We then embarked upon our adventure heading southeast through Jerusalem and onto the Dead Sea. There was going to be no sleeping tonight. Driving this road late at night was insteresting as it winds and bends going downhill for miles to 1200 ft. below sea level, the lowest spot on the earth's surface. It also comes very close to the Arab/Palestinian towns of Jericho and the border of the Kingdom of Jordan. Needless to say, we didn't stop for hitchhikers. We arrived at the base of Masada at 4:45 am, put the car seats back and slept a few winks till 5:30 am. We then headed up the snake path to the top of Masada. I arrived in 27 minutes and Wiz in 30. Reminds me of my Camelback climbs with Lion. The hike was really exhilarating and not too strenuous. At that time of day, the temperature is only 90 F. For those who don't want to hike, there's a cable car that takes you up to the top in minutes. Dawn was breaking and the views of the Dead Sea and the mountains were spectactular. We found a great spot and waited for the sun to rise. I can't describe how beautiful it was and the photos below tell only part of the story. You really have to see it to believe it. We were back down by 7 am. We decided not to swim in the Dead Sea as all of the open scrapes and cuts would burn too much. We stopped at Ein Gedi oasis for a snack and coffee and then worked our way back to Haifa arriving at 10:30 am. What an awesome journey. I was exhausted and fell asleep in minutes. After all, I had been up for 29 hours. I woke up at 2:30pm, had lunch at the pool and here I am. Enjoy.

Masada was the last bastion of Jewish freedom fighters against the Romans; its fall signaled the violent destruction of the kingdom of Judea at the end of the Second Temple period. The tragic events of the last days of the rebels at Masada transformed it into both a Jewish cultural icon and a symbol of humanity's continuous struggle for freedom from oppression. Built by Herod, king of Judea, Masada was a palatial fortress in the style of the ancient Roman empire. The camps, fortifications and assult ramp at its base constitute the most complete surviving ancient Roman siege system in the world. The 960 inhabitants all took their own lives instead of becoming Roman slaves.

Over the back side is Camp G. It appears to be a military instalation. There are probably several missile silos at this site and in these mountains.

Some of the ancient buildings so well preserved.

Wiz posing for the camera. We were both very sweaty after the hike up.

See the southern part of the Dead Sea.

We were both amazed at the sites up top in spite of the fact that we've both been to this site several times before.

An American youth group up on top of the tower. They started their hike 30 minutes before us while it was still dark.

Our sweaty backpacks sitting precariously near the edge. The Maccabi shwag is such a big deal with everyone trying to trade for similar items with the other countries colors.

The reflection of the sun on the Dead Sea was spectacular.

The sun has full risen over the Jordanian mountains on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. The photos cannot describe how absolutely SPECTACULAR this sunrise is.

The orange colors were so incredible and the day so clear.

It only takes a few minutes for the sun to emerge over the mountains. Today, this occurred a few minutes before 6 am. It was so worth it to be at the top to view and photograph this.

Eagerly anticipating the rising of the sun. The Israeli flag waving in the slight breeze.

Wiz nearing the top of the trail. It was no race, each one of us enjoying our hike in solitude. The trail has been significantly improved since the last time I climbed it 20 years ago.