The Lebanon border

This was road trip day. After an early breakfast, we again drove north, this time following Rte. 90 to the border with Lebanon. Kiryat Shmona is a small city which occasionally makes the news when it is hit by a rocket or shell from Hizbollah in Southern Lebanon. We continued north to Metula, a small town which sits on the so-called "good fence.' This is where, until recently, Lebanese workers would cross daily to work in Israel. I wanted to find the actual crossing, but there was no hint of any kind of fortification and I just about drove into serious trouble when I approached the actual border. An arab man was cleaning up the roadside and, using hand gestures, strongly suggested I immediately turn around. I saw no Israeli guards, but we passed a lookout post on some nearby streets.

Metula was neat and pleasant with tile roof single family houses arranged along the hillsides with gardens and backyards. Streets, however, were gated and in some cases guards were present. Otherwise you could just drive in. Intrigued, we found an opportunity to walk along the border itself in Nahal 'Iyyon Nature Reserve and its numerous waterfalls. The trail was really pretty with wild flowers, lush greenery and occasional waterfalls. Unfortunately, the presence on the trail of a yellow tarantula resulted in Lily (and my) rapid-pace return to the rental car. Still, we walked a couple of miles and watched, through the trees, a white tank or military vehicle of some sort, marked 'UN' pacing on the opposite rim of the gorge.

After our hike, we headed back through Kiryat Shmona and headed west and up into the Golan Heights.

Above: Lily at the 'Mill Falls' and atop, the Lebanon border at Metula.