In the Wilderness

We spent a day in the wilderness experiencing the dry arid areas that cover much of Israel.  It's home to some of the most hauntingly beautiful sights of nature.

  

Ein Gedi (which means "The Spring of the Kid" is an oasis located near the Dead Sea known for its beautiful springs, caves and abundant animal life.  This was David's refuge when he fled from King Saul (1Samuel 23:29).  It was in one of the caves here that David cut off a corner of Saul's robe.  Some of the psalms are believed to have been inspired in this area.

Spotted some onyx at Ein Gedi. They were a lot smaller than I expected, but Guy our driver says that they are delicious barbecued...hmmm...

Qumran cave no.4 where 530 of the 900 Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  The 2000 year old scrolls were discovered here by a Bedouin shepherd chasing a stray sheep in 1947.  He took it to a leather merchant to have some shoes made but the merchant knew better and bought the scrolls off him for a song.  The merchant later sold the scrolls to experts for $60,000.  Wonder if he split the profits with the shepherd boy?  ;-)