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Running the Wadi Bih

Wadi Bih is a large dry river valley bed that runs southeast from Ras al-Khaimah which is 1.5 hours northeast of Dubai to Dibba on the east coast. Like a river close to the sea, Wadi Bih starts out large dry and flat bottomed, this slowly narrows as it climbs up into the mountains. Near the top, we passed into Oman for a short time and then climbed out of the wadi to the top of the valley and over into another more narrow wadi. It was in this wadi that it started to rain. We were glad we were headed downhill towards Dibba and the Gulf of Oman (actually part of the Indian Ocean).
Just out from Ras al-Khaimah, we enter the mouth of the wadi. It is about 500 m. wide here.
Just out from Ras al-Khaimah, we enter the mouth of the wadi. It is about 500 m. wide here.		 Goats are everywhere in the villages (in trees, on house tops) in the valley eating anything from cardboard boxes to flip-flops.
Goats are everywhere in the villages (in trees, on house tops) in the valley eating anything from cardboard boxes to flip-flops.		 The road is well maintained - here.
The road is well maintained - here.		 Getting narrower as we travel, with the sides taller.
Getting narrower as we travel, with the sides taller.
Picturesque small towns crouch at the foot of the valleys.
Picturesque small towns crouch at the foot of the valleys.		 We find stone houses possibly as old as 650 years.
We find stone houses possibly as old as 650 years.		 Having such a time, it was hard to get her to stand still for a picture.
Having such a time, it was hard to get her to stand still for a picture.		 They used the natural caves in the rocks as part of their shelters. The walls were black from fires.
They used the natural caves in the rocks as part of their shelters. The walls were black from fires.
Looking through a caved-in roof.
Looking through a caved-in roof.		 We found pottery shards, held here by Aven.
We found pottery shards, held here by Aven.		 Climbing from the bottom, the road was steep with many switchbacks.
Climbing from the bottom, the road was steep with many switchbacks.		 At the centre of this picture is a small terrace farm that may have been built and used in the 13th and 14th centuries.
At the centre of this picture is a small terrace farm that may have been built and used in the 13th and 14th centuries.
From the top looking East. Donna and the kids are right bottom corner.
From the top looking East. Donna and the kids are right bottom corner.		 It was a long climb to the top.
It was a long climb to the top.		 Wonderful rock patterns on the valley walls hundreds of feet below us here.
Wonderful rock patterns on the valley walls hundreds of feet below us here.		 Small dwelling at the top.
Small dwelling at the top.
Some clouds start to build around us.
Some clouds start to build around us.		 But looking the other way, it was clear. See the farm terrace areas at the top here? People camp in them, we want to do that!
But looking the other way, it was clear. See the farm terrace areas at the top here? People camp in them, we want to do that!		 Along the top, just before we start to drop towards the east.
Along the top, just before we start to drop towards the east.		 Just follow the red road!
Just follow the red road!
Not much rain at all but for a few drops, and we see our first water fall.
Not much rain at all but for a few drops, and we see our first water fall.		 Puddles start to form on the hard road surface, but the river bed that we drive beside is dry.
Puddles start to form on the hard road surface, but the river bed that we drive beside is dry.		 The canyon gets narrorwer and narrower and water is falling off both sides by now. We keep moving down.
The canyon gets narrorwer and narrower and water is falling off both sides by now. We keep moving down.		 We pass the place of no return with the road washing out behind us as we get to this fall.
We pass the place of no return with the road washing out behind us as we get to this fall.
We stop and watch the water build up, meeting cars coming up to look but very few coming behind. We are near the bottom now.
We stop and watch the water build up, meeting cars coming up to look but very few coming behind. We are near the bottom now.		 Its a flood! Lots of foam -- say 18 inches or more high in this pool that someone fell into -- 5' deep.
Its a flood! Lots of foam -- say 18 inches or more high in this pool that someone fell into -- 5' deep.		 The road becomes its own river bed in places.
The road becomes its own river bed in places.		 See the goats? Holes everywhere and every one had a goat or two.
See the goats? Holes everywhere and every one had a goat or two.
At the East coast with a dry but dirty vehicle -- and smiles all around from the wonderful adventure.
At the East coast with a dry but dirty vehicle -- and smiles all around from the wonderful adventure.

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