June 21 - We met at the bus at 7:45 for departure to Qumran.  We tried to get out as early as possible because today will be one hot day.







  After Qumran we stopped at the Ahava factory for a shopping experience, which the men love so much.

Next onto Masada where it was 98.6 degrees according to the internet. Lindsey thought it was just a little too hot.





Phyllis and Carrie stayed in the air conditioning and found a really neat museum.  This is a definite option for those who visit Masada for the 2nd or 3rd time.  I told Phyllis it would be my turn the next time to stay at the bottom.  Lindsey was really felling the heat.

After lunch at Masada, where some of our group found the McDonald's ,

we had a drive thru of En Gedi to see the Ibex

and then we headed for the Dead Sea experience in 102+ heat.  I had on one of my gauze shirts and took it off and ran it under the faucet.  Works pretty good for a short time air conditioning.
and then





We made it home by 6:00 and after showering, Phyllis and I were invited to go home with Doron to meet the rest of his family and for Shabot dinner.  He has a great condo that overlooks the hills of Jerusalem and all the lights of the city. The weather was beautiful.  The temperature in Jerusalem is alot like Colorado in the summer.  It really cools off at night.  His grand kids are adorable and love to climb all over grandpa.  Ida, his wife, cooked a great meal and we had the chance to finally meet Osnatt, his daughter who does all the computer work for her dad.  Joe we already knew from the Ramat Rachel where he has a jewelry shop.  Joe's wife does trading for a bank and Doron's son-in-law is a computer engineer.

We got home around 11:00 and hit the sack.