Maktesh Ramon (Crater) Overlook

Written and Photographed by Nahum Eisenstadt

The last stop before the three hour drive to Tel Aviv (for the beginning of the four week volunteer part of the CAARI program) was the famous overlook on the Danny Caravan Sculpture Promenade in Mitzpeh Ramon. This was made possible through the generous help of the KKL JNF which has made a tremendous contribution to this small and troubled town through the last 50 years.

This overlook, called Har Gamal, is a suspended wooden platform overlooking a 30 kilometer long erosive geological window made possible through millions of years of erosion by wind and water, not by the impact of meteors. It shows 250,000,000 years ago what was happening under one of the mountain ridges of the Negev. This pictutre shows the cold temperatures at 1000 meters(3300 feet) above sea level at the Har Gamal overlook on the Ramon Crater with some of our hardier CAARI participants.

The Canadian American Active Retirees in Israel, CAARI, offers active seniors a unique opportunity to experience Israel. The program is designed to explore the biblical landscapes, follow the footsteps of the early pioneers, and envision the future of our Homeland. The CAARI Program includes community service, tours, a speakers forum and the camaraderie of the CAARI Family. The Program is designed for to feel, touch, hear and see Israel from the mountains to the desert, from sea to sea, and from ancient to modern.

Links: Jewish National Fund USA : https://www.jnf.org/