On the road that winds through the forest between Safed and Amouka, in Northern Israel, is a place called Bat Yaar. I know the name well as I have passed their sign countless times over the years, but I never dreamed that I would discover there a perfect place to spend a summer afternoon with my young children.
What makes this location so perfect? Well first of all, lots of shade, lots and lots of shade, and lots of tables under the shade to enjoy a picnic lunch. And did I mention the shade? What a relief on a hot summer day!
Just the shade, the tables and the blown up trampoline and slide would have been enough for us, but we were overjoyed to find so much more! Here is what we saw:
Modern-day covered wagons and an awesome view of Mt. Hermon, the tallest mountain in Israel! (faint in the distance) Wow, what a juxtaposition, kind of like the American settlers before they crossed the Rockies!
And who would have guessed that each covered wagon housed a table and fold down chairs for diners at the ranch's (not kosher, or at least not mehadrin) restaurant? Too brilliant for words, and with air conditioning too!
There was a large cage of gorgeous parakeets that made this Mom think that maybe she needs something like that, and a pen of rabbits and guinea pigs for petting, that made this Mom's kids think that they need something like that as well! Who could blame them?
We just LOVED talking to the animals.........
And Mom was tinkled pink to be able to take some rustic barn yard shots like this......
.....and like this. There is something so beautiful about that leather saddle sitting on that striped saddle pad a top that white horse, that I just can't explain! I guess it's the cowgirl in me.......?
And just when we were bursting with joy from all the visual pleasures, the little ones mounted horses for a few rounds around the paddock to complete their dude ranch experience!
We can't wait to go back again soon!
