The Wallen Street Journal

Today we left Jerusalem to travel to Jordan.  We crossed the border, which took over an hour, and drove to Mt. Nebo.  Mt. Nebo is where Moses went to view the promised land that God did not allow him to enter.  We stood on the mountain and looked across the Jordan River Valley to the west toward Jericho. Terrain on the way to Jordan Sign at the border Bedouin tribes still live in tents in the wilderness. View from Mt. Nebo A northern view from Mt. Nebo After viewing Mt. Nebo, we drove the Kings' Hwy south toward Petra.  Along the way, we stopped in a mosaic tile and ceramic shop.  Below are three women working on their pieces. The sheep use the Kings' Hwy also!

Today, most of our group members are returning home, so we had a short day.  Tom and I are continuing on to visit Jordan with 20 others, so we leave Jerusalem tomorrow.   We first visited the site where Samson and his parents lived.  Can't remember the name of it.  We then visited the valley where David slew Goliath.  In the first photo below, the Israelites were camped on the opposite side of the valley and the Philistines on the opposite side.  There is a dry brook in the valley, probably from which David picked out the stones for his slingshot. We then returned to Jerusalem and visited the Western Wall.  Ladies on one side, men on the other.  Men had to have their heads covered.  Ladies had to have their shoulders and knees covered. Tomorrow morning, we leave for Jordan and will visit Petra, named one of the new seven wonders of the world.   The valley where David slew Goliath Remnant of an old Roman road, visib...

 Today, we drove east from Jerusalem to the Jordan River.  We had to go through a Palestinian checkpoint, but just for a mile to get to the river.  It is in the West Bank Palestinian territory, but they open the gates for a few hours every day so pilgrims can see the river in which John baptized. Bedouin tribe camped in the hills along the road Sheep grazing on I don't know what! Hills of the Judaean dessert From Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, we descended from 2500 feet above sea level to 1400 feet below sea level.  Here was the spot where we were at sea level.  The barrier wall at the Jordan River Standing (on steps) in the Jordan River, with Jordan just behind me The view up the Jordan River Palestinian soldiers watching the river Mature date palm orchard near the Dead Sea From the Jordan River, we drove to the ancient fortress of Masada.   Herod built a palace on one end of this fortress in 30 BC.  Around...