Day Hike

It started with Hunny and I looking for a place to go camping and repelling. In efforts to find a spot, we went hiking. When Koreans go hiking...they go hiking. Koreans love hiking. There are trails everywhere. If you see a mountain you can guarantee there is at least one trail up to the top and on the weekend that trail will be slam full of Koreans in brightly colored outfits, walking stick in hand, hiking up and down its rocky steps. Although...hiking and camping here is a sport for the wealthy. They have the nice gear, walking stick, boots, sun hats, the works. All super expensive! How do they afford to do it?

We started up the mountain. I don't think they know what a switchback is. When they go hiking, it is straight up, and straight down, no matter how steep the mountain. They do have steps at times when it gets seriously steep.

Yeah! Look how far I made it!

Part of the way up I heard English. A big deal for me in Korea. Hunny saw the child that the English had come from and noticed he was wearing an army hat. It was a family we go to church with. We chatted for a while and since they were on their way back, we got some tips on the best places to go. There are a lot of branches if the trails.

Up and up we went. We eventually took a turn that I'm not sure was on the map. But there was a Korean family ahead of us that we were following so we figured it worked. And it did, until the family was gone and we were on our hands and knees crawling up the side of a mountain. We got up pretty high. It was gorgeous! All the mountains here are now full of green, and luscious.

The way back down was the scary part. I was slipping and sliding all sorts of over the place. Thankfully, my Hunny is a very experienced outdoor explorer and knows the ropes. By the end of it, I felt like a pro mountain climber.

Hula Hoop!

Though the day was gorgeous and the climb an adventure, we didn't find the camping grounds. Sad face! We will keep looking which probably means more hiking! :D

ALSO!!! Behind our new home, up the street some, is a trail. How neat! One Sunday afternoon we headed up it. Most of the trail follows the ridge line if that tells you anything. Again, no switchbacks but much less brutal then the first. At a second point, there was some exercise equipment. There was this really neat looking hula hoop. First off, it was HUGE; and secondly, it had these bumps on it. We think it was to make you tense up your abs to work them more. I find it all too funny how Koreans have exercise equipment near the top of a trail. That way you can work out more then just your legs right?

When we made it to the top, as far as we cared to go anyway, we read scriptures. It was so nice and peaceful. What a delightful way to spend the afternoon. We look forward to more day hikes just up behind our house.