Ride around Sea of Galilee

As planned, we got up early  (5 am). John and Ann came to our cabin for a makeshift "breakfast" - we smeared peanut butter and jam on pita and washed it down with milk and orange juice.  We packed the bikes into the van (easier without luggage) and drove into Tiberius, parked and were ready to set off when John's front tire blew.When he removed it, it was apparent that it had opened at a seam, most likely from the heat buildup on the rims when we were braking during the steep descents on the Carmel.

Today, the temperature was a comfortable 25C and no humidity with light winds. We had a most pleasurable ride around the western part of the Sea of Galilee, the scenery beautiful with spectacular  tan mountain ranges to the west and tropical vegetations such as cacti, brightly coloured Azalia bushes and large high palms on the sides of the road..  We turned back after 35 km as planned and returned back to the van. I decided that I would do the climb back up on the eastern side where we had driven the night before. John would have joined me but breakfast was more important.

The climb back up was tough but good except I missed the turn off to Vered Hagalil and went too far.  I did more climbing than necessary, but we have a two cell phone system and I called Naomi so she could check the map and locate where I ended up so I could return easily.  Interestingly, when she had driven the group back, she also missed the turn.

After a brief rest, we did a drive from the top of HaGalil to the west to inspect the top part of the western route around the lake. This would be our next ride.  We drove up a long climb that goes into the Golan with the most spectacular vistas, and then returned back down to the lake where we could find a beach for Ann. It was her request for a swim in the Sea of Galilee.

This is winter in Israel and the beach areas (as are outdoor pools are officially closed but we found a beach where there were a few people playing in the surf (strong winds were blowing up the waves) and there were two guys kite-surfing.

We set up the painters drop sheet on the beach as a blanket and I lay down for a little shut-eye. Naomi and John were content to sit and read and Ann went into the water for a swim close to shore. It was fortunate she did, as a woman who went out just far enough to get pulled under by a dangerous undertow was struggling to get out and Ann was close by to hear her screaming.  Ann tried to rescue her but the undertow was too strong and that is when John ran out to help them both.  A great rescue! What luck for that woman that Ann wanted to swim and that we chose that beach.

That evening we drove back to Tiberius for a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant called Decks right on the water and then back "home" to get ready for another adventure the next day.