The Cedars of Lebanon

During our retreat a couple weeks ago, we drove into the mountains to see some of Lebanon's famous (and elusive) Cedars.  Lebanon has been known for its cedar trees for thousands of years, and they have become a national emblem (see Lebanese flag below).

They've become a bit rare, so you have to go out of your way to see them.  They grow at a very high elevation, so you drive up, up beyond where other trees grow.  All around are just rolling hills with no vegetation and then all of a sudden!  Bam - a grove of cedar trees with nothing else around.

They are quite beautiful, and really old.  We walked around the grove and felt like we were back in Northern California.  (Although the Cedars have nothing against the Redwoods, sorry Lebanon).

The three bare trees above are a sculpture with several different faces and bodies carved into it. They are sort of hidden, so we spent about ten minutes looking straight up, circling the trees trying to find the images.

I'm glad we went out of our way to see them this time, because I'm not sure when we'll get another opportunity.  On another note, it has started raining here this week.  The changed weather has made the most dramatic scenes by the ocean - the sea is really choppy and blue, and the sunsets have been spectacular!  So grateful to be surrounded by such natural beauty.