Definitely a highlight, although it is impossible to choose a favorite. I talk with my clients often about how the path out of the thinking that is stealing their peace is like the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It reminds me of the scene in “The Empire Strikes Back”, the Star Wars movie, where Luke goes into the cave and fights Darth Vader, slays him, looks under his mask and realizes that under the mask is his own face….a metaphor for recovery. Facing your own dark side and admitting and owning you have it instead of fearing it is a big chunk of finding your peace. I love the fact that no matter how dark the valley gets, God is with me, and that perfect love drives out fear. This is one of the cornerstones of my own inner peace.
We veered off the main road to Jericho from Jerusalem to see the valley. This was also the area of of the story of the Good Samaritan.
We saw Bedouins that were shepherding their flocks along the way, and even a fox that ran straight up the side of a mountain in no time flat. It was amazing! We were greeted at our stop by a Bedouin merchant selling scarfs, and a small boy selling bracelets. It is obvious that these folks have very little in terms of material possessions. The man walked right up to me and wrapped a white scarf around my head, Bedouin style. I’m glad I went ahead and bought it from him, because I was glad to have it at our next stop at the Jordan River. OK, so the first thing you see at our stop is a short uphill walk to this cross.
I love this picture. Then you look down into the valley.
This is a monastery built into the side of the valley. So cool. I would love to go down there, or even stay there for awhile and meditate and pray. Makes perfect sense to me why they built this here. 
A little left from the monastery is this view. Sorry the picture is sideways. If you see the line that is coming in from the left/bottom to the tree…that is a trench/trough like channel that carries water to this place, and then at the tree the water is allowed to drop down waterfall-style to the bottom of the valley. This is why there are trees growing on the side of this desert mountain. If it’s quiet, you can hear it like a waterfall. The wind blows and the water falls, it is a tranquil place from the top, and a scary dark place in the bottom.
I caught this picture right before we left. The sun on the hills in the distance…the peace after traversing the valley. Wow. I love this picture.
Next up, the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and Joshua lead the Israelites into the promised land. Ya.