Ibexes

At one spot along the Dead Sea we spotted a couple of these Ibexes.The mother and young one climbed the rocks much like our Big Horn sheep do in the canyons on our Lake Havasu.

Dead Sea

Looking across Dead Sea to Mt Nebo

Dead Sea Looking South

Twice I have camped on top of mount Nebo and looked across at the lights of cities in Israel and last year we drove the entire length of the Dead Sea on the Jordan side several time to check the view from all the side canyons. It's a little more complicated in Israel because of the A, B, and C zones in the West Bank but to my Palestine driver it is no problem. The zone letter indicates who controls the area and the security there. For example, the A zone is under full civil and security control of the Palestinian and Israelis are not allowed entry.

Petra to the Dead Sea

Rock Formations along Road

Driving on steep road to Dead Sea

Farmland at South end of Dead Sea

Dead Sea

Salt formations at Dead Sea

Clear and Calm Dead Sea

After taking the slow route on the Kings Highway to Petra we took the first road to the Dead Sea. Lots of great rock formations on this steep road, would be a great photo spot if we had more time. The road led to the valley south of the Dead Sea and came to a road to the right that led to Lot's cave. There was a Byzantine Monastery built on the spot in the about 12 miles south of Sodom. There was a rough road cut up the mountain but when we got to the top found the site was closed.
Any flat or almost flat spot along the Dead Sea had crops growing on the rocky fields. A lot of roadside stands were selling tomatoes, watermelon, and other fruit and vegetables. In fact, we saw hundreds of farmers roadside stands even on busy divided highways.

Dead Sea

Wadi Mujib Canyon

After the wind and rain yesterday today was severe clear. All sun with no clouds or wind so we took another route to the Dead Sea involving a steep road with twelve switchbacks. We also stopped at Wadi Mujib canyon where a guide with rope will lower you down some waterfalls and then you wade and swim downstream and climb a cliff to get out. You can also walk downstream to the red sea.

Dead Sea

Dead Sea Overlook on Mt Nebo

Herd of Goats and Camels Above Dead Sea

Dead Sea and West Bank

From Madaba we drove to Mt Nebo and down to the Dead Sea then came back by another road with many switchbacks. The Dead Sea is over 1200 feet below sea level, the lowest spot on earth and the hills above it go up over 3000 feet. There were many flocks of sheep and goats along the road, even some herds of camels. The herders lived in tents much as they have for thousands of years. It's difficult to see how this barren land which gets much less rain than we get in Arizona supports so many animals.

Fitst light, Dead Sea and Israel

Sunset over Dead Sea and Israel

Log in Dead Sea

Salt ledges in Dead Sea