Hiking in Maktesh Ramon

Last weekend we went with a small group from HUC of about 10 students hiking in the Negev, in Maktesh Ramon which is a giant crater. It was awesome; it felt like what I imagine Mars to look like! We did 3 separate hikes, one of which was very steep. Evan was very proud of Jenny for getting to the top with no problems! We slept overnight outside, in sleeping bags, without a tent. We made a fire and had a great night roasting marshmellows and telling funny stories and singing. The only part that wasn't so fantastic was waking up at 4 am and feeling so cold- amazing how the desert can be so cold at night and so hot during the day. It was a great hike- and we hope the beginning of many more hikes during this year. On our way back, (we were in a car we rented with our friends Brad and Claire) and as we stopped to use the bathroom we saw a sign for a winery. Becoming oenophiles that we are, we called the number, spoke with a man who opened up the tiny winery on his kibbutz, Sde Boker for us. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend. We were eager, however, with our aching muscles to fall into sleep in our bed the next night!