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Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip Update: Day 5 The Conclusion of a Wonderful Journey
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Monday, April 29, 2013 /19 Iyar 5773
| Click photo to see album for Ride Day 5 |
What a thrilling day for our riders and hikers! (Click here for Day 5 hike update.) After hours of mostly uphill cycling in the scorching desert heat (with some of us choosing to climb a very steep mountain), we all began the three-mile final leg of our journey, a descent into Eilat. The road narrowed; we entered a mountain pass, and as we emerged, the Red Sea was visible in the distance. Our destination was within sight, and the sheer natural beauty was almost overwhelming.
As the last rider pulled into our lunch stop on Dekel Beach in Eilat, the 2013 Ramah Israel Bike Ride was officially complete, with everyone safe and pleased. (Click here to see today's bike route.) We enjoyed a barbecue lunch, then rode the last couple of miles to our hotel, where bikes were returned or packed for flights, showers were taken, and all began to relax.
| Click image to see video highlights of the entire trip
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Tonight after dinner we held our final group meeting. So much appreciation was expressed, as well as satisfaction over very successful fundraising, a great week in Israel, numerous new friendships, and the tremendous physical challenges accomplished on both the Ride and the Hike. Click here, or on the image, left, to view video highlights of this amazing journey.
We continue to express our appreciation to all of our supporters, to a great team of staff, and mostly to all of our hikers and riders who gave so much of themselves to this incredible experience. Ramah can be very proud of this newest Israel experience and group of peers, ages 13-73. We look forward to another successful Ramah Israel Challenge, hopefully in 2015. We hope you have enjoyed following our adventures. May all of our participants travel home safely. Layla tov from the city of Eilat.
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Rabbi Mitchell Cohen National Director; Rider
| Amy Skopp Cooper National Associate Director; Hiker
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Hike Update: Day 5
| Click photo to see album for Hike Day 5 |
Today we once again got an early start in order to beat the heat of the day. Leaving Kibbutz Ketura and traveling 45 minutes to the rocky mountains that surround the bay of Eilat, we walked through Wadi Netafim, northwest of the city. As we traversed the majestic mountains, we were struck by their colors turning from shades of deep brown to light brown, then to black; we were challenged by steep and narrow declines through channels of white stone and we followed narrow ledges with drops of hundreds of feet. With the terrain differing from one part of the hike to the next, our group continued to be awed and inspired by the natural beauty of the desert. When we least expected, we would gasp at the singular beauty of a tree sprouting, some even bearing berry flowers. The group thoroughly and unanimously agreed that today was a highlight and an incredible way to end our five-day hike. We forged new friendships, reminisced about our Ramah days as campers and staff members, and were excited by our conversations about new programs that National Ramah is launching (more to come about that, so keep on the lookout).
After a delicious outdoor lunch, we headed to our hotel and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the Red Sea. We joined the Ramah riders for dinner and a celebration of our mutual accomplishments. Some of us are already talking about our next Ramah Israel Hike and Bike Ride in 2015! BACK TO TOP
Follow our daily travels:
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Bike Ride Day 5: Kibbutz Ketura to Eilat
| Click on image to see entire itinerary |
Group
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Distance
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Elevation
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Shoafim
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36 miles
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1,549 feet
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Bogrim
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46 miles
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1,805 feet
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Mumchim
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65 miles
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3,129 feet
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Sponsors of the 2013 Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip
Supporters of Ramah programs for children, teens,
and young adults with special needs
Neshamot Fund of UJA-Federation of New York
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