Galilee to Thanksgiving November 2009

Day 1: Our Galilee trip began with Kent climbing on the bus with students, viewing sites along the way and arriving at the destination on the Sea of Galilee just after dark. I drove a van up along the Jordan / Israel border. It is a very boring trip, but I was Accompanied by a faculty wife, so we had good conversation. The van carried such things as a printer, a projector, luggage and me. I seem to be the designated driver for these trips. I do not mind, because I get a few extra hours by myself before the students arrive.


Day 2: This is one of the most beautiful trips in Upper Galilee. We go to Hazor, Tel Dan, Banias, and Nimrod's Castle. The Kibbutz provided Lunches for us to eat along the way. Tel Dan seems to be the place where we lose students. We were not disappointed this time. Now we've lost them three trips in a row. It isn'ta serious loss because it is a Nature Reserve and they will eventually be found, but it does waste our time. On this trip we can view Lebanon and Syria in the distance. It would be wonderful if we could visit these countries while we are so close. But the mine fields would prevent that.
Tel Dan has a Pistachio tree that begs students to climb it. Here is a before and after photo.

Pistachio Tree before Students
Pistachio Tree with Students














Banias Falls

Days 3-4: On these days we cross the Sea of Galilee on a boat. We stopped mid-way and Reflected upon the events that occurred on this Sea. We heard musical numbers and stories from the Scriptures. We had a very peaceful day. Sometimes it has been stormy and the waves beat
against the boat. But this time there was a calm with beautiful clouds forming and Reforming in the blue sky.

A highlight of this trip is a visit to the Mt of Beatitudes. We always read the Sermon on the Mount here. It is a wonderful place to think upon those words. If I were to ever become a Nun, I'd request to be Stationed in this place, but without the tourists. They keep the grounds beautiful.

Days 5-7: Included a visit to Gamla, Qazrin Village and the Fish Restaurant. Gamla is quite a hike and I did not hike all the way down, but the students did. Instead I went to the Vulture refuge. There was a park ranger there and she pointed the cameras all around the Reserve. She even noticed a faculty member carrying some fauna that is illegal to pick. Vultures are bred and Rehabilitated in this facility.
Gamla
The Vultures

The Fish Restaurant is always a highlight. We have St. Peter's fish. It grosses out some of the students, but most Partake. The fish is actually very good. After the dinner we go to Tiberias for ice cream. We had a McD's caramel Sundae.

Day 6: This was the Sabbath Day. We went to the Galilee Balcony of the Branch House

Branch in two groups. It does not seat enough for our entire group. We went with the afternoon group. The view from the "chapel" is the Sea of Galilee. It is much more inspiring that looking at a Bishopric Seated in front of the Congregation. (forget I said that!) We also went to the Haifa Group for evening services. It takes about 1 ½ hours to drive there from Tiberias. We met with some Pilipino members. These women can not go to Galilee for church services, so the church has come to them for about an hour weekly.







Days 8-9: One of the highlights of this day is Mt Tabor. We have taken many people to this site. It is believed by many to be the site of the Transfiguration. Those present were Jesus, Elijah, Moses and three Disciples: Peter, James & John. We visited other sites, including a little chapel in Naim commemorating the healing of the widow's son.
Mt Tabor

Raising the Widow's Son

Grounds at Mt Tabor




Gan Hashlosha Springs

Also included is a swim at Gan Hashlosha, a warm spring. It was a bit cool outside, but the water was warm. I was bit by a fish on one of our visits here. I was not bit this time because I did not go in the water.














Akko
Day 10: The highlight of this day is a trip to Albury. We went there many years ago with our children and they played in the tide pools. Akko is a wonderful seaport full of layers of history, perhaps the major interest to Historians is the Crusade period.

We returned back to the Kibbutz in time for the sunset.




















The Kibbutz provided a Thanksgiving dinner for us in the evening. It was Wednesday, but the day did not matter. They decorated the room in red white and blue Streamers, paper, and balloons. The balloons were filled with helium. We were served a very nice dinner Consisting of apple salad, bread, corn, baked potato, Squash and turkey! We were served six Turkeys that were
carried in on trays and had Lighted Sparklers sticking out of them. It was quite a show. We had a nice dessert with something that looked like ice cream on top. It was not ice cream.
And this is the Moore Thanksgiving at Denny's. That is what happens when the Grandparents are out of town.





The final evening the students had a Bonfire next to the water and spent about two hours bearing testimonies. I finally got too cold and left, but they continued on until everyone who wanted to had an opportunity. It is wonderful to hear testimonies from the students. Most are Tryng very hard to have a personal relationship with the Savior and have spent a lot of time focusing on that while in Galilee.


I always leave Galilee with a bit of sadness. It is a peaceful Respite. Though we have responsibilities while we are there, we also have reflective time and opportunity to read and study about the life of the Savior. In a way, it is like a long Sacrament Meeting. We keep going, but we do not get tired of it.




And on Day 10 I spotted these two identical kittens. Their Markings were beautiful. I considered shipping them home, but they would not let me catch them.