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Seoraksan - Hiking Biryeong Falls

1/18/2014

Our kids adore us, especially when we are on 'vacation' and we wake them up at 5AM to go hiking.
I'm talking A D O R E baby!
One has never heard such excitement.
They even adore us more when they get outside and realize it is MUCH COLDER than anticipated and their hoodies aren't cutting it...
Then we make them run to warm up.
I'm telling you, they adore us.
I can't wait to hear the stories they tell as adults.

The truth behind the wake up: Hubby woke up in a frenzy looking for his phone. HIS PHONE....do you know why? He needed to check the score of the Bronco game. During the search for HIS phone (he couldn't use mine...and it was sitting in plain site - right out in the open!) he turned on lights, tripped over kids (remember we are on a Korean holiday....floor sleeping is the norm!) and made LOTS of noise. All to check the scores at 5AM. AND then we had to hike early so we could make the 3.5 hour drive back home so he could watch a game.

Who does that?

In the end it turned out to be PERFECT.

We only passed one other person on the trail.

So quiet.

So peaceful.

Just us and nature.

I would totally do it again.

This is a super easy hike.
The only 'hard' part are some stairs, but there aren't that many.
Distance is 2.4 KM each way and it took maybe 2 hours with lots of stopping.

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Hiking Seoraksan - Ulsan Bawi Rock Course

1/17/2014

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One of our favorite things to do in Korea is to hike.
I was particularly excited to hike Seoraksan in the fall.
Ahhh, Beautiful Korea....

I'm not sure what these roof tiles were going to be used for but I thought they were super cool.

There are even crowds on the hiking trails in Korea....

Girl wasn't feeling well so Boy 1 stayed at the base of the mountain with her. I think it was a ploy because when we got back they had been having a great time hanging out together - they had played in water, skipped rocks and texted me a million times asking when we would be done.

On the mountain the boys were getting along great...I love it when that happens!

Not even close...

The views on this hike was A M A Z I N G ! !

I can't get over it.
Koreans can drink.
Even at the top of the mountain they stop for a little makkoli!
I'm afraid I would fall down and break my neck!

We made it!
4KM to the top!

This our stunning view!

Heading back down.

3.5 hours from home and we run into friends on the mountain.
I'm always amazed when something like this happens.

This took about 4 hours round trip.
It was tough in some areas.
Not for the faint of heart.

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Hiking Suraksan or Buramsan - I'm Not Sure Which One.

12/20/2013

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I have been in a total blogging funk.
I lost a ton of pictures (about 1 month worth) and I have been searching and searching for them. I KNOW I downloaded them and put them in Lightroom because I always download AND PLUS I edited a few for Facebook. But after searching for over a month I cannot find them anywhere. So because of that I have been in a FUNK, FUNK, FUNK. And to make my funk even worse for some reason the pictures from the same dates from Hubby's camera are still on the computer and still in Lightroom. I think it is a conspiracy. I don't know what the conspiracy is, but I'm pretty sure there is one.

SO....all of these pictures are from Hubby's camera, however he doesn't take as many photos as I do. I also take pictures of 'how to get there' so I can tell you guys in detail, but alas those pictures are gone, so I will give you directions but they won't be as good as they normal.

We hiked this back in September.
We planned to hike Buramsan, but think we ended up on Suraksan.
Take line 4 to Danggogae - the very last stop. Just get off the subway and follow the other hikers. I remember seeing a GS convenience store turning right...it looks like you are heading into a neighborhood....but just keep going I'm sure you will end up on a mountain somewhere.

This was a really fun but hard hike. We went as high as we could, but we couldn't finish it because it we would have needed clips and rope to finish. About 3/4 of the way into the hike I starting having mini anxiety attacks because I was afraid one of the kids fall off the side of the mountain. This hike is not for beginners....unless you just hike the beginning part of it. If you have kids with you or you are not an advanced hiker turn back once it starts getting hard because it never gets easier after that.

And so it began...just like any other hike.

Then we happened upon this cute little temple.

The monkey statues were adorable.
As were 3 of our little monkeys.

One of the kids favorite things about hiking in Korea!
1/2 way up ICE CREAM!!!

This wasn't even the hardest part!

This is the highest we went.
After about 3/4 of the way up the kids started getting high fives and thumbs up from random strangers.

The view was AMAZING.

See those rock climbers to the right of my head?
That's pretty much what the rest of this hike was.

I would like to do this hike 1 more time, without the kids before we move...maybe in the spring.
Happy Hiking!

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Umyeonsan Mountain & Daeseongsa Temple

6/27/2013

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This summer the kids and I have put together a 'summer camp at home' sort of thing. It's not too crazy to where they will get burn out, but just enough to keep them on some sort of schedule for the summer. I have found that my kids do MUCH better when they are scheduled (less fighting, less complaining and they don't complain about not playing video games!).

The kids have a list of things they must get done each morning and then in the afternoon we have theme days:
Make it Monday
Tuesdays with Trish - kids free day, Mom goes to lunch with Friends
Wondering Wednesday
Take a Trip Thursday
Family Friday

So far so good. This was our first Take a Trip Thursday group:

I let Girl and Boy's 2 & 3 pick what they wanted to do for their first Take A Trip Thursday outing.
I could not believe my ears when they said they wanted to take a hike!
So like any good mom would do I did a little research and we ended up hiking Umyeonsan Mountain which is located right behind the Seoul Art's Center.

I feel bad that I can't give you specific directions to the trailhead, BUT the directions I took off the internet were not that good and it took us a while AND we went a convoluted way. I can tell you a few things....
Line 3 - Nambu Terminal Subway is the closest subway station to Seoul Arts Center.
Click the link above for a map of the area.
Go to the front of the SAC and look for the big overpass.
Go through the big circle - this is the trailhead.
When I go back I will update directions for you.

We only hike the safest of mountains!

At the summit!

This is a super easy hike. Only 239 meters to the top.
With a spectacular view at the top!

And if your hike wasn't enough of a work out there is always more to do at the top!

I was so happy to finally figure out what the tires are used for!

How cute is this group?!

From the top we hiked over to Daeseongsa Temple.
I haven't been able to find much information on this temple, so just enjoy the pictures.

This hike is GREAT for beginners.

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Hiking Cheonggyesan Mountain in Seoul

6/11/2013

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I love that we have lived here so long and we are still experiencing new things. This past weekend our hike took us to Cheonggyesan Mountain. It is in the Seocho-gu district of Seoul. Cheonggyesan and Gwanaksan are two of the most popular mountains (so I have read) in Seoul area and they are known as 'guardians of Seoul." Cheonggyesan is 620 meters (2,034 feet) above sea level and Gwanaksan is 631 meters above sea level. Gwanaksan didn't seem as hard, but we didn't go the entire way up - we took a more scenic path.

We drove to Cheonggyesan - in fact Hubby ROCKED it getting there. I knew how to get to the Yangjae subway station by car and then he winged it from there and he drove STRAIGHT to the mountain. (I'm sorry I ever doubted him! :)

This is the route you will go when driving or by subway -
Walk straight, turn right when you get to this underpass.

We bought a couple of cups of cherries for 2,000 won each before heading up the mountain.

Cross a small street right after exiting the underpass.
Take a right at the 1st alley.
(Just follow all the hikers!)
And you are there!
There are tons of trails to choose from....

We picked Maebong trail.

And we stretched it out before we started!
(These signs crack me up. I can't help but to laugh and take a picture each time I see them!)

What we are learning about Boy 3 is that about 10 steps in he is tired. (Maybe he needs to stretch more!) But then after about 20 minutes he has a burst of energy and is good to go!

We had no idea what to expect with this hike....

And a little ways in we started to see a pattern.
Stairs...
stairs...
and MORE STAIRS!!

Break #1 of 262.
They are still smiling...

About a 1/3 of the way up Boy 3 started counting the stairs (I encouraged this to help get his mind off his aching calves) ....he counted over 3,000 uneven sometimes seriously steep stairs. Once we realized the entire hike was stairs we thought for sure someone would quit at some point along the way..... But they kept going.....

And going!
This hike was super crowded as we continued to go up, up, up....

It was actually pretty hard to stop and look at all the pretty things around us because it was so busy. And we forgo finding our 'cool things'. These cool caterpillars were EVERYWHERE!

Still going up.
I was so proud of the kids!

Sometimes finding a spot to break was tough.

And a few times we just pulled over to the side.

In just over 2 hours later we finally made it to the top!
Our GPS told us our stopping time was a little more than our hiking time.
But we didn't care, everyone made it!
I couldn't have been more proud of these kids.
This was their toughest hike to date!
And they are STILL SMILING!

The view was amazing.

Proud boys!
(As they should be!)

I DID IT!

We were thrilled to see the ice cream man at the top of the mountain!
Asian Pear ice cream chillers never tasted so good!

The hike down was a little harder than anticipated.
The kids (and I) were all experiencing 'wobbly legs'!
And now 3 days later my calves are still aching a bit...

As with all hikes, we ended with a yummy lunch.
This time we took the kids somewhere they have been wanting to go for a while....Brooklyn Burgers!

I really cannot tell you how proud I am of these kids. There was minimal complaining and they just kept on trekking! The hike was 'easy' as it was all stairs, but then again it was 'hard' because it was all stairs. We did a little over a 5K up and down the mountain and these kids ROCKED IT! Way to go my awesomely adventurous children! This momma is proud!

To get there by subway:
Line 3 to Yangjae Station from there get on the newly opened Shinbundang Line and go to Cheonggyesan Station. Go out exit 2 and follow it to the underpass (in the top picture!)

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Hiking Gwanaksan Almost 4 Years Later......

5/31/2013

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A couple of weeks ago we were reminiscing about our previous time in Korea when we remembered a hike we went on - one that we LOVED. It was drizzling rain when we went; there were tons of boulders to play on, and ropes to help you pull yourself up the mountain. We decided to try it again just to see if it would be as fun as we remembered - and it was - actually it was more fun! :o)

To get there take subway line #4 to Gwacheon Station take exit #7 and walk straight up the path. You are certain to see many, many hikers and at this point you might be thinking that you are totally underdressed.

You will go through this cute little tunnel filled with children's art work....you are sure to stop and take a few cute photos. :o)

Hiking is serious business here in Korea -
Make sure you stretch it out before your hike!
And if you are not sure how to hike just check out the lady in green.
She has great tips.

When you get to the end of the path you can go either left or right.
Both ways will take you to a trail.
We like going right.
Walk maybe 50 steps and you will see this set of stairs across the street on your left side (right across from the church).

I was a tad bit worried after hiking for a few minutes Boy 3 was tired and had to take a break.
Luckily for all of us, this was the only time he got tired.

Wishing it had been a clear day...

Boy 2 was the star of the hike, posing for me anytime I wanted to take a picture.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the natural beauty in Seoul.

He is just cute.

We made it to the top!
(Well, to the top of where we were going anyway.)

This picture was 4 years ago in the same place.
My how they have grown! :o)

As always, if you aren't getting enough exercise on the hike you can always stop at an exercise area to kick it up a notch.

Boy 1 had a GREAT time on the hike.

Boy 2 had the best find of the day!

This boy had NO FEAR.
Which in turn FREAKS ME OUT.

This hike was so beautiful!
And the kids had a ball.
Win-win in my book!

If you look closely you can see flower petals floating through the air.

Great day, great hike.
Great kids.
I love my life.

Click here to see our Gwanaksan hike from 2009.

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Hiking Namsan Tower - AKA - Seoul Tower

4/2/2013

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Namsan Tower is to Seoul as The Eiffel Tower is to Paris.
Maybe not quite as popular, but it is getting there.
Everyone that lives here knows Seoul Tower.
For those of us living on Yongsan Garrison (or just me) it is even more special....it is somewhat of a compass.
When I am lost, I look for it.
It tells me that I am getting close to home.
When I am lost (which doesn't happen that often anymore) the kids start looking for the tower.
Seoul Tower has gotten me home on more than one occasion.
Thank you Seoul Tower.
For that, I love you.
Not to mention that you are beautiful, especially when you are all lit up at night.

Since the weather here in Korea is getting a little nicer with each passing week, we decided it was time to hit a trail!
Namsan would be our first of many trails to hike this spring.

All the kids (with the exception of Boy 1 - he would rather spend time with his girlfriend - teens...) were excited to go!
I love that they love hiking.

The part they love most is taking time to explore and search for little treasures!

Our favorite treasure on this trip was this:
This is part of the firefly habitat - which was HUGE, but if you aren't paying attention you would never even notice it was there.
We can only imagine those intestine looking things are full of fireflies...
Specks of green = Spring is NEAR!!

Another sign that spring is near is when the Ajuma's break out the big ol' visors!
I especially love the nuns with their visors under their nun head gear.
They ROCK.
LOVE AJUMAS!

Seoul Tower up close and personal.

Sometimes I forget just how big this city really is.

When you finally make it to the base of the tower you will find TONS of locks attached to the fences, and on the "Locks Trees" (bottom center photo) This is where couples and families come to lock their love for eternity.

Awe, this sweet couple is "locking their love"!
And look....he even bought flowers for her!
Another sign of spring, love is in the air!

Father and daughter.
Makes your heart melt, doesn't it?

The End.

There are several ways to get to Seoul Tower.
If you want a good hike, you will need to start from post.
Leave out the Kimchi Pot Gate.
Turn left and walk UP, UP, UP the hill.
Stay on the main street.
It is narrow and you will feel like you are going to get hit by a car several times.
And then when the hill gets really steep, KEEP GOING!
Finally you will come to a crossroad there will be a police station on your right - TURN RIGHT just after the police station.
Walk another block (uphill) and you will come to a BIG intersection. (You will see Gentle Lady Cupcakes on your left at the top of the hill.)
Push the button, wait for the light and cross the street.
You are at the very bottom ready to start your hike.
If you want to do the trails, go up the path and turn to your left.
You will pass the bathroom...start your hike here.
If you want to use the stairs, don't go up the path turn left and stay on the sidewalk.
Follow the sidewalk around to the main entrance.

There are many other ways to get to Seoul Tower, bus, cabs, cars, and cable car.
There are also MANY, MANY things to do once you arrive at the tower.
Click here for a great information if you are planning a trip to the Tower.

Happy Hiking!

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“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you
did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

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Hi, I'm Trish, the writer, creator and photographer of this blog. I started this blog for 2 reasons, 1 - When I found out we were moving to Korea back in 2008 I was a little freaked out and started scouring the internet for information on Korea. At that time there wasn't much out there so I am doing my part in helping families across the world not be so freaked out when it comes time to move to Korea. The 2nd reason I started this blog was to help stay connected to family members back in the states. Today it is so much more that.
I hope you enjoy our journey.

Are you moving to Korea? Do you have questions, concerns? Are you freaking out? Freak out no further - click the button to ask a question. I'll do my best to answer open and honestly.

Moving to Korea?

Seoraksan - Hiking Biryeong Falls

Hiking Seoraksan - Ulsan Bawi Rock Course

Hiking Suraksan or Buramsan - I'm Not Sure Which One.

Umyeonsan Mountain & Daeseongsa Temple

Hiking Cheonggyesan Mountain in Seoul

Hiking Gwanaksan Almost 4 Years Later......

Hiking Namsan Tower - AKA - Seoul Tower

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