At Tel Dan Nature Reserve, A Little Piece Of Heaven
See where half of the Jordan’s waters originate, and where the writer’s husband guarded just before the 1967 war.
Shortly before the Six Day War, Shmuel was stationed at Tel Dan, which at the time was far too close to the borders of both Lebanon and Syria. The guys cooled their beer cans in the springs which have their source at the tel, and drank directly from sparkling clear waters when the days were warm.
Because the lookout post had to be manned at all times, the soldier on guard duty couldn’t go into the bunker to wake up his replacement at night. The solution was a string tied to the leg of the sleeping soldier. When the guard finished his shift he pulled – hard — and the next man would come up.
Today, Tel Dan is not only perfectly safe, but it is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Israel. It also boasts extensive excavations, for Tel Dan hosted both an ancient Canaanite civilization and the Israelite tribe of Dan.
Visitors receive a detailed leaflet in English that shows the variety of walks you can take through the reserve (including a wheelchair accessible trail). The longest route is the most exciting, for it combines antiquities with exquisite natural sights.
Leave a Reply