1/23/12 Israel Trip

We started the day at a museum that had a large model of how Israel would have looked in around 60AD. Then we went to the Herodian which is a large hill fortress, and palace that King Herod built. After that we went to the Western Wall. We ended the day at Golgotha, and the empty Garden Tomb.

This is a description of the model city of Jerusalem.

This is the right side of the model of Jerusalem.

The middle of the model of Jerusalem.

This is the left side of the model of Jerusalem.

This is the Herodian.

This is a view of the pool at the base of the Herodian while we were walking up to the top of the hill.

At the top of the Herodian, looking into the middle of the hill.

Sarah and I at the top of the Herodian. 

In the crater/center of the Herodian.

This is a water cistern in the base of the Herodian.

This is a theater at Herodian.

This is the Western Wall.

These 6 stars are to remind everyone about the 6 million Jews that were killed during the holocaust.

Kevin, Sarah, myself, and Ryan.

What is left of the Robinson Arch outside of Jerusalem.

These are the Southern Steps where Jews would walk up to the Temple.

You can see half of the old exit in the upper left corner of the picture.

These 3 filled in gates were where the Jews would enter the Temple.

This is Golgotha, it was thought that Christ was crucified at the base of this hill.

This is the entrance of the garden tomb where it is thought that Jesus was laid for 3 days.

This an outline of the empty tomb where Jesus was laid.

This is the weeping area to the left as you enter the tomb.

In this picture you can see that there are 3 areas where bodies can be laid. 

This is possibly where Jesus body was laid.

1/22/12 Israel Trip

Today went to the Temple Mount area and saw the Dome of the Rock. Then we drove down to Qumran where the dead sea scrolls were found in 1947. We then went to Masada, then we drove around the spring of Ein Gedi, and we ended the day with a swim in the dead sea.

The Dome of the Rock.

The area around the Dome of the Rock.

Another picture of the Dome of the Rock.

Some camels on the side of the road as we went from Jerusalem.

An example of the how the ritual bath would've looked at Qumran.

A replica of the Dead Sea scrolls.

Sarah and I in front of one of the many Ritual Bath areas in Qumran.

This is  one of the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.

This is a place where pottery was made.

This is looking down into one of the ritual baths.

This is a brief description of the ritual baths.

This is a model of Masada.

This is a hot bath room at the top of Masada.

This view is from the top of Masada looking down.

Looking down from Masada at the ruins of one of the Roman garrisons that was built around Masada.

The ramp that the Romans built to get up to the Masada fortress.

Looking at the Dead Sea from Masada.

An Ibex.

Sarah and I at the Dead Sea.

Sarah and I floating in the Dead Sea.

After being in the Dead Sea.

1/21/12 Israel Trip

Today we went to the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Caiphus' House (where Jesus was held over night before being crucified) the Upper Room, we went into Jerusalem through the Lion's Gate, the church of St. Anne (where Mary was born), and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

On the Mount of Olives looking at the Dome of the Rock, and the Eastern Wall.

Jason, Sarah, Ryan (brother-in-law), and Rev. Horak (father-in-law) the Dome of the Rock in the back ground.

Sarah and I with Jerusalem in the background.

The Garden of Gethsemane.

An Olive Tree within the Garden of Gethsemane.

The steps Jesus took up to Caiphus' the high priest's house, which is where Jesus was held before he was crucified. 

The Church of St. Anne where Mary was born.

The pool where Jesus healed the man that had been lame for 38 years. 

A Roman Cistern. 

Within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus might have been crucified.