The Reluctant SingerA Traveler's Thoughts
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Original: 4/16/2008 3:58 AM
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
 

My Best Ever Vacation

The Kween_of_the_Queens asks about the best vacation I have ever had. I haven't had enough vacations, that's for sure. Nevertheless, I have taken some nice vacations from time to time. There was my first trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. That was 40 years ago, and it was fascinating. A marvelous place for adults who can still be children and have the inquisitiveness to immerse themselves in the experience. Then there was the time I traveled through Europe for 3 weeks without any reservations anywhere. I just went where I wanted to go, when I wanted to go, frequently using the trains to travel at night so I could save my days for site seeing. That was a real adventure. A few years later, I toured Greece, Egypt, and Turkey. I was fascinated by the geology.

But the trip I really remember was my 3 weeks in Israel. From the desert in the south to the Dead Sea to the green Valley of Jezreel to the woodlands in the north, I can see them all clearly again in my mind's eye. Jerusalem with it's many churches and the Garden Tomb where some believe the body of Christ was laid; Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus; the city of Tiberius; Nazareth, Beth Shean, where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on that ancient city's walls; the Sea of Galilee where Sunday morning services were held on a boat far out from shore; the Golan Heights; Tel Dan.

Oh how I can just rattle on about that trip. Just sitting on the ancient steps of the Old Temple in Jerusalem where Jesus Himself walked is enough to flood my mind with images from the stories I've read so many times. The pool of Bethesda, the Mount of Olives, the very arena where Paul preached in Caesarea and where Peter proclaimed the good news to the Roman Centurion Cornelius, Megiddo, Masada, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Carmel, Joppa, Caesarea Philippi, Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Stop me before I bore everyone out of their skulls.

Please, if you ever have a chance to tour Israel with all of its history, don't hesitate. Go for it. You won't be disappointed. As for my next trek, I am trying to decide between an Alaskian Cruise and a tour of the American South West. A trip to New Zealand would be nice, but the dollar is so depressed right now that I'll have to do that trip after an economic up-turn.
 Posted 4/16/2008 3:58 AM - 18 comments

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I'd like to see Jerusalem too, but it's just so violent over there. And I don't want to be confused with an Arab, which could totally happen and be totally unpleasant. But I'd love to see the places where Jesus walked around.

I've always been a little curious about both Alaska and the American southwest. If I were you right now I'd pick Alaska - if you're going in the summer that is.

I'm planning on going to the UK this year for a short trip and darn the depressed dollar. I'm hoping to see a play, but lol since you read my protected and my blog you already know that. hehe
Posted 4/15/2008 2:20 PM by WomanOfLight Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - reply

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MiLady,

Each and every time they have anything on the bible on television (ie the history channel), I am sitting here fascinated watching it. . .oh the history there!  What a wonderful trip you took!  Thank you for sharing it here with us!  You've been linked and starred!~Kween

Posted 4/15/2008 3:36 PM by Kween_of_the_Queens - reply

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how would you tour the southwest/where would you go?
a friend of mine moved up to alaska in may, the day after our graduation.
they both seem to be supremely magical and spiritual places.
i think the only real option is to visit both.
Posted 4/15/2008 3:48 PM by WyomingSheepRanch - reply

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israel is somewhere i would want to travel too. just to take in all the religious sites.
Posted 4/15/2008 5:15 PM by NightlyDreams Xanga True Member - reply

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I would love to go to Isreal. Judi
Posted 4/15/2008 6:35 PM by jassmine Xanga True Member Xanga Premium Member - reply

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@WyomingSheepRanch: - I'm still working out the details of how and where. Rather than the South West, I should have written "the western U.S." As for where in the west I would visit, the following comes to mind, not necessarily in any order:
the Alamo, Tombstone, The Grand Canyon, Archer Nat'l Park, Yosemite Nat'l park, Monument Valley, Yellowstone Nat'l Park, Mt. Rushmore, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Redwoods Nat'l Park.

That's just for starters. I'll probably fly out. Rent a car for some driving. Other areas will want a local tour of historic sites.

I do intend to see both the American West and Alaska. The other sites on my short list include Australia and New Zealand.

Posted 4/15/2008 8:40 PM by thereluctantsinger - reply

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My dad used to go back to Holland each year for three weeks....and he would travel around using the trains like you did.
Posted 4/15/2008 10:07 PM by PrincessFiveandDime - reply

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I'm not a much of a fan of vacations. They are to dang disruptive.
Posted 4/16/2008 12:41 AM by EyeHatePeas - reply

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We are planning a trip to the Holy Land. Thanks for the itinerary tips! I have been to Alaska and just about all the places you mentioned in the southwest. How much time do you have? A week in Alaska wasn't enough and we usually spent about a week in each of those places mentioned. I guess you could see them in 4 days each if you took the fast track and then drove from place to place adding in the California coast and some other amazing sites. You could come west and stay for 3 months- that would be awesome. Good luck. emlee
Posted 4/16/2008 12:44 AM by emlee57 - reply

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@EyeHatePeas: - Yes, they are disruptive, but once in a while, necessary for both body and soul.

Posted 4/16/2008 3:47 AM by thereluctantsinger - reply

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@thereluctantsinger - 

Personally, I find the toll on body and soul to often be very high. I will do so for the sake of family, etc., but rather than longing for a vacation, I have to talk myself into it and then mentally prepare for the consequences.
Posted 4/16/2008 4:01 AM by EyeHatePeas - reply

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I would love to go to see Israel someday. I love places with a lot of history and you just really can't get more historical than Israel.
Posted 4/16/2008 10:21 AM by TheCheshireGrins Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - reply

Visit WyomingSheepRanch's Xanga Site!
that's a great list you have.
el capitan in yosemite is the most awe inspiring sight i've ever seen.
they also have some redwoods in yosemite, and they have a cross section of one's trunk. they have the growth ring marked that corresponds to the signing of the magna carta. astounding.
Posted 4/16/2008 11:03 AM by WyomingSheepRanch - reply

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Israel would be quite an interesting country for me to visit.
Posted 4/17/2008 2:11 PM by ThePhilsBlogBar - reply

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I remember my SIL talking about their visits to the Holy Land, Egypt, Israel....she felt so at peace there.

I have been on a cruise to Alaska which was wonderful but not long enough and we have traveled to most of the places you mentioned in the West/Southwest.  I would recommend the trip to Grand Canyon, the various State parks, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon  and all of those.  You need at least 2 weeks to fully enjoy all those areas.  And if you can get to the Pacific and drive down the Coast Highway...you will never regret it....it's stunningly beautiful.

Posted 4/17/2008 2:33 PM by myseniormoments Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - reply

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Dear Susan,

This is also a place where I would love to visit, but time keeps on ticking, and I seem to never be able to leave SoCal. I can't believe that you wrote to "stop you if you bore anyone...". How could anyone NOT be spiritually revived by hearing of your journey. To be able to actually walk in Jesus' steps must be a holy experience I would think even for a non Christian. (And Jerusalem is a holy city to three religions.

Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool

Posted 4/20/2008 9:21 AM by baldmike2004 Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - reply

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Seems like a wonderful trip. And one I fear I will never be able to do. Along with the Greek Isles. So, thanks for sharing, this is one way to enjoy Israel.
I highly recommend the Grand Canyon. It was awesome and I truly mean it.
Posted 4/22/2008 9:48 AM by tater40 Xanga Premium Member - reply

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What a great trip.  I hope to make it there some day.
Posted 4/26/2008 10:02 PM by closethippie Xanga True Member - reply


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