All aboard! Our bus is headed south today to the Dead Sea area. We’ll spend considerable time on the road this morning, traveling along the Jordan River. Gaze to the left and you will see the country of Jordan!

A striking difference exists between the lush, fertile soil of Israel as we leave the Galilee area, and the barren desert of Jordan. However, Israel has begun to share agricultural and water conservation ingenuity and technology with the Jordanians, and fertile ground is beginning to appear on that side of the border as well.

Another obvious sight is the border fence between Israel and Jordan. It is a simple, electronically monitored fence and the entire Jordan River Valley, much of which lies inside the West Bank, is patrolled by the IDF.

We’ll pass Jericho on the right, then head down to Qumran, Ein Gedi and Masada. So gather your belongings and take your seat on the bus. We’re about to roll!