Dead Sea towns around the lake. These towns had drinking water from the Ein Feshcha springs and other sweetwater springs in the vicinity. Intimately connected with the Judean wilderness to its northwest and west, the Dead Sea was a place of escape and refuge. The remoteness of the region attracted Greek Orthodox monks since the Byzantine era. Their monasteries, such as Saint George in Wadi Kelt and Mar Saba in the Judaean Desert, are places of pilgrimage. In the 19th century the River Jordan and the Dead Sea were explored by boat primarily by Christopher Costigan in 1835, Thomas Howard Molyneux in
Kettle River (St. Croix River) but not intensity as the river approaches the St. Croix. This last section of the river is some of the best canoeing available in the state with manageable rapids, good fishing, frequent wildlife sightings (including bears) and absence of other people. The Kettle River hosts class III-IV white water rapids that are frequently paddled by kayakers, canoeist, and rafters. The Kettle flows into the St. Croix River east-northeast of Pine City. Near its headwaters the river collects the West Branch Kettle River, which flows southeastwardly from its source near Wright. Other tributaries include the Dead Moose and Split Rock rivers,