Dead Sea. February 2012
We left the club at dawn, pale red lines in the sky were already announcing the coming of the sun. Leaving the Mediterranean coast, we climbed up to "the Jerusalem mountains" (about 700 m altitude) and went down to the Judean desert and the great rift valley. We actually drove the width of Israel, with 2 coffee breaks, 2 kayaks on the roof, and it still took about 2.5 hours. When we say we have a small country…we mean it.
Going down to the Dead Sea is a beautiful drive. Across the Judean desert, the last few rains left hints of soft green grass covering the northern side of the hills. Down to Sea level, minus 100, minus 200, signs of the altitude lead you to the lowest place on earth, the bottom of the great rift valley. Lowest and getting lower by the year. In fact, the Dead Sea is a meter lower every year. Still beautiful turquoise water, still in a spectacular location with the walls of the rift valley closing from east and west…
Going down to the Dead Sea is a beautiful drive. Across the Judean desert, the last few rains left hints of soft green grass covering the northern side of the hills. Down to Sea level, minus 100, minus 200, signs of the altitude lead you to the lowest place on earth, the bottom of the great rift valley. Lowest and getting lower by the year. In fact, the Dead Sea is a meter lower every year. Still beautiful turquoise water, still in a spectacular location with the walls of the rift valley closing from east and west…
The name is taken from the salinity of the water, making it impossible to for any living creature to survive in it. It's uniqueness is also it's curse. Being so fertile with phosphates, the Dead Sea is serving both, the country of Israel and Jordan, being the number one origin for export in both countries. Being such dry countries, along with drying up the sea for its minerals, we also prevent the good water of the Jordan river from arriving at the Dead Sea. The result: a drop of a meter a year in the Dead Sea level. It is not only the Dead Sea, but it is a dying sea. It's ecological problems screaming to the sky. We might need another Sodom and Gomorra to save it.
However, still the Dead Sea is a unique place to paddle in. When the sun is out the water is a beautiful turquoise, when it is behind the clouds all is grey and in areas of shallow water it's a strange green. Layers of salt cover the one meter drop of the previous year, enabling snow like photography. And the high cliffs of the Judean desert are the best scenery to paddle in. Paddling in a postcard.
However, still the Dead Sea is a unique place to paddle in. When the sun is out the water is a beautiful turquoise, when it is behind the clouds all is grey and in areas of shallow water it's a strange green. Layers of salt cover the one meter drop of the previous year, enabling snow like photography. And the high cliffs of the Judean desert are the best scenery to paddle in. Paddling in a postcard.
We paddle in the Dead Sea every year, this year along with comparatively warm weather, we also had a short shower to wash away all the salt. A perfect day in a spectacular place and back home on time for the Sabbath dinner.
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