Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea

As the pilgrimage nears it's final stage, the miracle in the Holy Land seems to be that we are packing 36 hours into each day! Sorry for the lack of posts but the internet has been sketchy and the "readiness for sleep" factor has been high!

On Monday we visited Qumran where large portions of OT scrolls were found in 1947. A shepherd was chasing a lost sheep that fell in a cave. Then, a discovery beyond all biblical discoveries. The scrolls were from the Essenes who methodically copied the scriptures. The entire book of Isaiah was discovered along with fragments and portions of many other books. We have more copies today of biblical books than of any other major work such as Plato or Socrates or Shakespeare!

Cave #4 where many of the scrolls were found. 

Cable car up to Masada. 

Looking down from Herod's palace and fortress. Also you can see the roman encampments from when they overtook the last of the survivors at Masada near 73 AD. 

Dead Sea in the background. 

Peter Johns, Gail Casson, Melissa Maher and Amy Eggert walked down Masada. Much better than walking up!!

A few yoga poses on the hike down. 

Our tour guide Jacob who never tires!! (Even with our numerous questions!)

We all agreed there we would NO pics of us floating in the Dead Sea. Rest assured for the 15 of us that did, the belly laughter and child-like moments were priceless.