Perfect family picnic spot

To celebrate Israel's 60th birthday, we started the day by singing happy birthday to the Medina, and then left for a short hike in the nearby KKL Ayalon Forest. We drove over many many potholes (one for each year of the country's existence, per 1/4 mile), passed many families bbq-ing, until I couldn't take the potholes any more and we decided to get out of the car and walk for a bit.

It struck me how many groups there were there, starting up the bbq, at 9 AM. It looked as if some had been there since the night before camping out. I think back to my own family gatherings, often in an event hall, or in my grandmothers backyard, and that a trip to the forest is really a terrific idea. Everyone brings food, tables, chairs, takes care of themselves and chips into the group supply. I've seen other Israeli parks on Yom Haatzmaut, and this was just so much nicer. The air was clean, there was plenty of parking, and plenty of space to spread out. Every family staked its claim on its own patch of shade, and kids were able to wander down the paths and back up.

There was:
history - old water cisterns dating back to Roman times
beauty - the trees, grass, sky. Ok the good weather helps
science - bugs. And more bugs. Some very interesting bugs
and new experiances - teaching your 3 year old daughter to squat in the woods without getting her pants wet. Her father can't help there, only provide an example of how easy it can be.

Next year maybe we will stay all day and bring our own food and bbq and family and friends.

I think that Eden thinks that the Medina is the forest.