The idea of taking the cable car to the top of Masada just did not appeal to me. I love to hike, love the outdoors and I just felt like if we are physically capable of climbing it on foot, then that's what we SHOULD do.
Of course, my 12 year old daughter Cady was less than thrilled about the idea. "You want to climb a mountain. In the desert. Really mom?" (Cue the eye roll and loud sigh) But with my encouragement (force), she agreed (conceded) to come along.
Yes it was dangerously hot- but we were coated in a thick layer of sunscreen and had plenty of bottled water. We were ready and I was intent on us having a memorable mother-daughter experience.
We were joined by two other adventurous spirits- Greg and Hannah Forman.
The girls started off with a lively discussion. "So they killed themselves rather than become slaves??????"
Then the heat kicked in and the climb got as steep as anything we have ever climbed before. No more lively discussions. Lots of frustrations and doubts from Cady about why I was making her do this, could she make it to the top, did she even want to go to the top....
At that point I was wondering myself if I had done the right thing by making her climb with me. Was this going to be one of those parenting decisions that sounded a lot better in my head?
We reached the plateau of Masada and were oh so happy to sit on the cool rocks in the shade. We caught our breath, drank more water and then Cady said to me, "I am so glad we did that. I am really proud of myself!"
Been there, done that, and we bought the t-shirt!
Mary Ross McQuage
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