Long awaited Cedar of the North..

   After  standing in our kitchen and  looking at the calendar on our wall and discussing what we wanted to do with my parents we decided- Cedars were a must. This is my parents 5^th time to visit Lebanon so they actually know are local faves and even need to get some of their cravings filled!

 We attempted going to the Cedars of Lebanon trip 1- almost 4 years ago, and the park was closed and so we did not get to see them. I was pregnant with Sophia and throwing up, so I remember just laying in the car while they hiked to see if they could even get a glance.

 We piled in our same van, but our family has expanded by two kids since our last Cedar attempt. 

  We drove up out of our city and into the North…and then into the mountains. We chatted and I was squished between my 5 year old and 3 year old and so we sang, reflected, and observed all sorts of things.

we look overjoyed

 We stopped for manaqueesh and ate to our heart’s content.  The owner was kind and generous to the degree only Lebanese people can be, kissing, oohing and awing and of course giving us free food.

 As we turned and twisted our way up the mountain it became clear that the drive will be a most signicicant part of this journey. We exclaimed over the views and jumped out of the car more than once to take it all in.

Which is saying a lot when you have three little tooters.

 When we finally arrive at the park of cedars- it was closed cause there was snow all on the pathways.

 We still were able to see them up close and take pictures, and then found one bursting from the heart of the quaint city.

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 We savoured the fresh air, the views and the crispness. The girls whined their way into some snacks and then came alive trying to touch the ancient cedar.  Tooters, from one minute to the next they are changing.

 The highlight was our way home. We turned back and were driving and went around a bend and saw the most stunning view- the city with a church on the edge and seeing the valley, waterfalls, and then sea in the background. We kept driving, searching for a spot to stop and be able to really soak it all in. But after trying, we turned around, went back up to the mountain to that first breath taking turn in the round when you see it all.

 But when we tumbled out of the car ( for the 10^th time that day) and only could hear the wind blowing gently, the birds chirping, some buzzing of bees or flies…when we became emcompassed with the vastness and the beauty it was oh.so.worth.it.

 We sat and told stories and just made that the moment of the trip. Of being together and teasing and cuddling close. I wish I could have sat there all day.

 Snails and worms and ants and leafs and flowers all around us enticed and I loved watching my city girls get time in nature.

 We ended at a magical Lebanese restaurant that had a waterfall at it’s side.  And then made it home just before dark.