Travels Through Jordan

I remember reading an article in 6th grade about the Dead Sea and its health benefits and how it will cease to exist by the end of my lifetime. Ever since that day, visiting the Dead Sea has been a dream of mine. As we began our International teaching careers, a trip to Jordan has always been a topic of discussion. When we moved to the Middle East, we new one of our first trips would be to this amazing place. 

After a quick 2 hour flight, we were in Amman. We spent the first and last day of our trip in Amman, walking around and exploring the city streets. We headed to the Dead Sea for a couple days where we enjoyed some time floating in the sea (which is comprised of 30% salt, making it so buoyant that you can't do anything BUT float), applied mineral mud from the sea, played in the kiddie pool, and looked out onto the "Promised Land" where so much history has occurred. After the Dead Sea, we headed southeast to Wadi Musa and Petra. We spent a few days there exploring the landscape, hiking and enjoying the history. It's amazing how diverse the country is in its landscape. We passed through orchards, olive groves, and wineries at the top of plateaus, rich farmland near the Jordan River (baptismal site of Jesus), the desolate terrain of the Dead Sea at -1401ft (-427m) and rocky cliffs, arches, and mountains near Petra. 

Our resort on the Dead Sea

View of the Dead Sea from the hotel

Israel in the background...just a few miles away

Washing the mud off

Effortlessly floating.
There was no way to keep your feet down...trust me, we tried!

Leif wanted to touch the camel...

...he changed his mind!

Just outside Petra we found a very different, yet unique landscape.
Reminded us of something out of this world...Star Wars maybe?!

Family picture after enjoying a traditional
Boudin dinner with the Walmsley-Ogle crew

First in the park...perks to having an early riser

Entering the Siq (the narrow passageway to Petra)

Reminded us of the narrows in Zion National Park, minus the river.

First view of the Treasury from the Siq

The Treasury

Tombs line the ancient city.

Fallen columns of the Grand Palace

Finally allowed to play with toilet paper

Israel and the Dead Sea to the north

This car seat model lives up to its name...Good Baby!
Great road trip companion.  

Waving 

Giving kisses

Relaxing in Amman

Rested, Relaxed and ready for the last 8 weeks of school...but who's counting?!