Jericho...the world's oldest city!  There are many references in the Bible about Jericho but Joshua chapter 6 is a good example of the things that happened here.

Here is a pic of a sycamore-fig tree in Jericho, similar to the one Zacchaeus would have climbed up in to see Jesus. [Luke 19:1-10]

At Qumran...the area shown here is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered.  After the initial discovery more than 900 scrolls in various conditions were found in this area between 1947 and 1956.  ...the extremely arid climate enabled them to stay preserved for nearly 2000 years!

Lower falls at the springs of En Gedi. [Josh 15:62; 1 Sam 23:29, 24:1; 2 Chron 20:2; Song of Songs 1:14; Ez 47:10]  The Dead Sea area is truly desert (wilderness) so it's easy to see why this was such a great place to hold up for a while.

This is a pic from just above that lower falls.  The water is fresh and plentiful!

Here we are atop Masada looking North.  The Dead Sea is in the distant, just over Shana's shoulder on the right.

This is the famous siege ramp built by the Romans when they attacked and defeated the group of about 1,000 Jewish rebels that were held up there. (picture is from the top looking down)

The Dead Sea...indeed far too salty for known "life" forms, having the highest level of salinity and density of any body of water in the world. (30% greater than our typical oceans)  It is, however, rich in minerals such as potash, magnesium and bromide.  

When you take a dip you are like a cork!!  It's true!  We went for a brief dip in the sea and you just lean back and pick your feet up to float on your back.  Curl your legs up and it's as if you are in a chair.