Seoraksan

My handsome husband and I were both feeling like we needed to re-group after our trip home and a busy work week, but we couldn't waste a four-day weekend, so we decided to take a quick trip out east to Seoraksan National Park.  We took the train from Seoul Saturday afternoon, and arrived on the east coast that night.  On Sunday, we headed to the park.

We decided to skip a major mountain climb in favor of the valley hiking path; while we might have missed a great workout, we were rewarded with some pretty impressive scenery.

Koreans are notorious for being into "gear", and the mountain gear was in full display at the park.  I thought about pointing out the fact that if I could make it on the trail in my flat-soled furry boots, they probably didn't need crampons and hiking poles, but I refrained.  Perhaps they were planning on doing one of the more strenuous trails later in the day.

Luckily we didn't have to skip the peak views just because we skipped the peak climb--we hopped on the cable car and enjoyed the scenery without the sweat.

We did take an icy side path down the hill a bit to another temple.

And I'll admit, this little stretch of hike was a challenge in my furry boots.

Monday morning we checked out of the hotel and headed out to find some breakfast.  We found a restaurant and ordered, and while we were waiting a man from another table came over and offered us a fried vegetable.  Ok, just being friendly, we thought.  We thanked him.  "Oh, you speak Korean!  Come sit with us!"  Mike tried to protest, "Ah, thank you, but sitting on the ground isn't very comfortable for us."  "That's why you have to practice!"  Answered the guy.  So we joined the two men, who were having beer, cigarettes, and stew for breakfast.  "Do you want some soju?"  "Ah, no thank you."

They turned out to be two local crab fishermen who were taking the morning off and just wanted to talk to some out-of-towners.  We discussed Steven Segal, Abba (we didn't have the heart to tell them they're not American), and the TV show NCIS.  They tutored us in how to eat the side dishes and we listened politely; Mike had about had enough when they made him mix their leftovers into rice for bibimbap.  "You're the younger brother, so it's your job."

After our interesting breakfast, we headed off to Waterpia, a spa/water park that's built on one of the hot springs in the area.  We spent a few hours soaking, then set out for the long-distance bus station.  I wish I could have captured the view of the mountains as we rode out of town--they were truly spectacular.  I snapped a quick photo out of the window, but it doesn't nearly do it justice.  Such a beautiful place.