Day 6 - Ketura to Eilat!

Every year there are a handful of foolish souls - we fondly call them meshugaim - who ride up the hill early in the morning.  I am quite happy to say that I am not one of them.  Maybe one day I will be, when I grow up.  But for now, I am happy to ride the bus up the hill and begin the day fighting the headwinds as we ride the rolling hills west toward the Egyptian border, and then head south toward Eilat.  The rolling hills become major hills, and of course the sun comes out from the wonderful cover of clouds that we had been blessed with all morning just as we begin our first major climb.  Oh well......it is a glorious day and we pedal on, strong from the past few days of cycling and in anticipation of reaching our goal.

We rode past the brand new border fence along the Egyptian border.  It was begun following the attack on a tourist bus about a year ago on this very road, but in fact, it is there primarily to keep Sudanese refugees from crossing the border into Israel.  Once, the refugees were fleeing war and sure death and were welcomed in Israel.  But apparently, the situation in Sudan has changed and their lives are no longer in danger.  Rather, they make the journey - often by foot - through Egypt and to Israel for economic reasons.  It has become a huge sociological problem here, complicated by unemployment and crime.  Sadly, the Israeli government has had to resort to a fence to keep people out.

We normally have lunch and take group pictures on the top of Har Hizkiyahu from where Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are visible.  However, after a visit by the Israeli army, we are told to move our lunch spot to the Red Canyon area on the other side of the road and not as high and visible.  Maybe we should be worried, but we are not......just tired, hot, hungry and anxious to get to Eilat to swim in the Red Sea!  Lunch is served, we take our pictures, rehydrate and relax, and the final descent to Eilat is minutes away.

This 1800 ft drop into Eilat is by far the most dramatic and not a little bittersweet.  Exciting as it is, it signifies the end of Israel Ride 2012.  We head down one at a time and are encouraged to go slowly and savor the views.  Kodak moments abound.  But it's so hard to stop and not fly down the mountain, my Israeli flag flying in the breeze!  I managed to stop once with a friend, David E, and take one picture.  After that, the temptation is too great.  WOOOHOOOO!!!!  Away we gooooooo!