First day of Chol Hamoed Rina, Rafi, Yona and I woke up bright and early (before dawn to be exact) and headed over to the central bus station in Jerusalem to try and beat the crowds going up north. Turned out everyone was trying to beat the crowds. Once we realized the entire country was trying
to take a bus to Tiberias we switched tactics and got on a bus to Beit Shean, approximately 40 kilometers south of the Kinneret. Eventually got up to Yehudiah where we were hiking. We were going to get wet so anything we didn't want soaked had to be put in a locker at the start of the hike. After a lot of packing and repacking of the bags we managed to fit two backpacks in a space that really should have only held one. It was right around this time that I realized that I had brought two left shoes of two different sizes, neither of which were mine. Despite this, it was a beautiful hike through a river in a valley.
Usually I'm sure it would have been really fun to walk through the water except that at this time of year it was absolutely frigid. I don't think I've ever been in water that cold. Luckily you can avoid the water by rock jumping the entire way except for one part where you have no choice but to climb down a 9 meter ladder and swim across without any place to stop for about 15-
20 meters. Between my incredible swimming skills and my fear of large bodies of water I was understandably terrified. Climbing down that ladder was one of those moments right out of a movie. It was like the volume had been turned way down and it was all about just climbing down every foothold one step closer to the water. When I finally jumped in I didn't think. I just swam. Extremely poorly, barely considered doggy paddle but I did it. (It should be noted here that Rafi swam back to help me towards the very end and I am extremely grateful to him for that.) Unlike everyone around me complaining about the cold it didn't bother me. Before hand I was so concerned I wouldn't be able to swim all the way across and afterwards I was just so relieved that I had that the water temperature didn't hit me until much later when I realized I was shivering. I wouldn't call this "conquering my fear" because I'm still terrified of large bodies of water and likely always will be but this proved to me that I'm strong enough to not let it paralyze me. 
to take a bus to Tiberias we switched tactics and got on a bus to Beit Shean, approximately 40 kilometers south of the Kinneret. Eventually got up to Yehudiah where we were hiking. We were going to get wet so anything we didn't want soaked had to be put in a locker at the start of the hike. After a lot of packing and repacking of the bags we managed to fit two backpacks in a space that really should have only held one. It was right around this time that I realized that I had brought two left shoes of two different sizes, neither of which were mine. Despite this, it was a beautiful hike through a river in a valley.Usually I'm sure it would have been really fun to walk through the water except that at this time of year it was absolutely frigid. I don't think I've ever been in water that cold. Luckily you can avoid the water by rock jumping the entire way except for one part where you have no choice but to climb down a 9 meter ladder and swim across without any place to stop for about 15-
20 meters. Between my incredible swimming skills and my fear of large bodies of water I was understandably terrified. Climbing down that ladder was one of those moments right out of a movie. It was like the volume had been turned way down and it was all about just climbing down every foothold one step closer to the water. When I finally jumped in I didn't think. I just swam. Extremely poorly, barely considered doggy paddle but I did it. (It should be noted here that Rafi swam back to help me towards the very end and I am extremely grateful to him for that.) Unlike everyone around me complaining about the cold it didn't bother me. Before hand I was so concerned I wouldn't be able to swim all the way across and afterwards I was just so relieved that I had that the water temperature didn't hit me until much later when I realized I was shivering. I wouldn't call this "conquering my fear" because I'm still terrified of large bodies of water and likely always will be but this proved to me that I'm strong enough to not let it paralyze me. 
After hiking back up the mountain out of the valley we got to have the lunch we had bought at a makolet on the way up. I must have eaten a dozen pieces of salami wrapped around a strip of cucumber, pickle and crushed potato chips. I don't remember a meal ever being so satisfying.
Eventually we made our way back down to the Kinneret and met up with Chaim, Karen, Michal and Karen's friend Joan at the beach. Chaim had worked very hard and set up a wonderful campsite. With two tents, mats/blankets, and brand new hammock we were pretty much set. He made a great barbecue dinner with hot dogs, hamburgers, lamb chops and chicken. I don't remember the last time I'd had so much meat. It was absolutely beautiful watching the sunset and relaxing on the beach that night. We even did a campfire of sorts because Michal said she wanted one (not like you could have smores on Pesach but it was still nice).
The next day we went to Hamat Gader, a hot springs/spa resort place right along the Syrian border. I didn't have a bathing suit nor do I usually like to go into pools, even if they do smell like rotten eggs. But all the others went in and enjoyed it alot. I went to this seminar with Rafi and Chaim on Tibetan bowls. When struck, the bowls emit sound waves that help produce alpha waves in the brain which consequently should promote relaxation. The guy explaining everything was telling us about how it has healing powers and can cure anything. I wouldn't go that far but Chaim did start snoring half way through (though I don't know if that was entirely on account of the Tibetan bowls). It was interesting.
The bus ride home took about twice as long as it should have. The road up to Maale Adumim from Yericho which normally takes 15 minutes took us over an hour. Seems that everyone had decided to leave at the same time as us.
Hiking and camping up north. A pretty great way to spend your Pesach break.
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