Day Four

Day four is devoted to making our way from the Sea of Galilee, down the Jordan River valley and to the southern end of the Dead Sea.  Before leaving the Galilee we stopped at a recently discovered and new to us site: Magdala.  It is believed to be the place where Mary Magdalene lived and now open to us seeing the ancient harbor and houses.  We went to the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee and the headwaters of the Jordan River where some were baptized. It was a moving experience.

Leaving the baptismal site we drove a short drive to the ruins of the ancient city Bet Shean. It was a Roman city so we could sit in the theater, walk the main market street and wander through the baths. Some brave individuals climbed the 400 steps to the top of the mount overlooking the city and where King Saul and Jonathan's bodies were hung in display of the victory over the Israelites.  

We enjoyed the drive down the Jordan valley, visiting the spring where Gideon and his 300 defeated the Midianites. Today it is a bustling national park used by Israeli families for fun and sun.  Passing through Palestinian territory we passed ancient Jericho and then on to the Dead Sea.  Our hotel was a few hundred feet from the sea so all who wanted had the privilege to float in the water that is 10 times more salty than ocean water.