I took the cable lift up to Masada early in the morning. Very few people were there; it was strange to be in such an important place alone. I followed a small, non-English-speaking study tour and was able to interpret a lot of information. In some sections, there was a strange hot wind; I spent time looking down at one site, thinking about the battle scenes. After watching some lively black birds and doing a sketch, I walked down and was impressed to see so many walking up this windy path to the top of Masada.

Jean Rosen lives in Lafayette.