Hike | Nachal Jilaboon

My favorite trail this season! 

The 'Jilaboon' is apart of a nature reserve located in the North of Israel. We took the shorter route which was about 3km and found ourselves under waterfalls, inside the remains of a Syrian army base and through a natural cold water spring. The trail's difficulty is considered to be medium,  (perhaps more difficult with young kids!) but a well marked path and shade most of the way, make it very popular for all ages. The Jilaboon trial is well used by tour groups and youth camps all year round. 

Our trip began well along a smooth dirt path, until then we hit a mixture of mud and manure from cows that seemly enjoyed the trail only hours earlier! My eldest son hates to be dirty - such a boy exists - so it was hilarious! Thankfully, we reached the water spring, he washed his feet to satisfaction and it ended well! 

I would highly recommend this trip from the age 6 and up, youth and adults especially. If you are adventureous it can be absolutely wonderul with young kids but know that the trial includes walking through a slippery stream and an upward trail for about 10 meters. My husband carried our 1 and 1/2 year old most of the way and our 3 year old made it just holding my hand. A child's back-carrier would be a good solution as well.  

The offical website, Teva | Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel' has one page in English with a contact available at the top. For more information and directions please click here and contact the park directly. As well, you can leave a comment for me with any questions and I will reply.

For more information in Hebrew click here

The photos from our little trip ...

[click on any photo to view it larger]

  

4x4 Trail

foot trail

true nature | fallen wild coyote

Trail Sign

Trail marker

piggy-back portion of the trail

Waterfall | half way to the top

Youth Camp coming down from the Jilaboon Spring

eeek! no worries though - trails are well marked and danger fenced off

View from the top

Youth Camp descending

another Youth Camp resting at the top | busy day!

Cows resting at an old Syrian army base

this explains the cow manure piled up on our trail!

Hopeful

Fish!

this is my rock and i'm not moving!

fishing without a chance

wild, fresh mint growing next to the trail

a bunch for home | mint in our tea

[join us next time!]

the last hours before Passover | things you can do in one minute (or less)

I love boxes and notebooks and getting the most out of my day. While reading through, Small Notebook for a Simple Home, I found a cute post, 31 things you can do in one minute (or less). The last hours before Passover in Israel are critical and I thought I would share this list. It should take one minute if you have a spare one today!

1. put an item on a hanger
2. turn on upbeat music
3. wipe crumbs off the table
4. take something to another room where it goes
5. reply to an email (one email, don’t get lost in your email inbox)
6. water a plant
7. file a paper
8. empty a trash can
9. check the toilet paper supply
10. wipe spots off a mirror
11. bring empty glasses back to the kitchen
12. put your plate in the dishwasher
13. start the dishwasher
14. cut a loose string off your clothing
15. swish a brush around the toilet bowl
16. hang the towels up off the floor
17. shake out the welcome mat
18. sweep the entryway to your home
19. check your calendar
20. toss the junk mail
21. put your bag by the door so it’s ready to go
22. toss old vegetables from the fridge
23. stack magazines and remove the old ones
24. throw dirty clothes in the laundry basket
25. rinse off the soap dish
26. add a couple things to your grocery list
27. plug in your cell phone to charge it
28. take receipts out of your wallet
29. close drawers and cabinet doors
30. put your shoes away
31. give someone a hug

2 days before Passover | Gifts

I had no idea what I was missing when I attended my first Passover dinner in Israel - a gift! Empty handed and horrified, I have been proactively buying ever since! TRADITION! The song from "Fiddler on the Roof" comes to mind every holiday in Israel, especially during Passover. Being raised on the relaxed West-Coast of Canada, my Passover tradition included a frantic call from my Mom, "oh Gen, it's Passover tonight, we should have dinner together!" What can I say, we have traced our genealogy back to a Gypsie woman in Spain, many great-Grandmothers ago! So, it goes without saying, my awkwardness living in Israel where TRADITION is ... well, no other way!

I truly enjoy giving Passover gifts, now that I am aware of the custom. It is a lovely addition to celebrating Passover. The traditional gifts of Passover are boxes of fruit, sweets and wine exchanged during the Seder (the first meal of Passover). Tradition has turned trendy of course and today most gifts are artistic  items for the home that have religious significance. As my count-down to Passover in Israel continues, here are a few gift ideas.

 [click on each link below the picture for more details]

Seder plate | Jonathan Adler

Kosher for Passover Gin! | Dean and Deluca

Matzoh Plate | Etsy

Passover card | Etsy

Matzoh cover | Etsy

Matza Passover Plague Coaster Set | Etsy

Chametz Patrol | Children | Etsy

Passover puzzle | Etsy

Child's Passover Set