An Explosion of Spring in Mokpo

As I have mentioned a few times now, the weather has finally made a solid turn into spring. We have even noticed it quickly approaching summer. Typical of most places, spring is short lived here - meaning we have to soak up as much as we can while it lasts. So, with blossoms to be seen on every street and mountain side, all I had to do was point my trusty camera in the right direction and let er rip.

I hope that our family back in Minnesota, which is still experiencing snow storms, can cuddle up to the computer in their Snuggies and enjoy what is around the snow covered corner for them.

Enjoying a book and the warm rays along the seaside of Peace Plaza.

On a late night stole home after a thick fog set in. Rather eerie yet peaceful at the same time.

Women collecting wild 쑥 (ssuk or mugwort) that grows everywhere. I just came across a Mugwort Soup recipe that I may attempt later this week.

Cherry Blossoms fill the hillside of the mountain behind our home and run along most boulevards. Stunning.

This is moments before he attacked, trying to eat my eyes out. Don't worry, after a brief girly scream, I made it out alive.

Hiking Wolchulsan

The first weekend of April, we set out for a day-hike of Wolchulsan.

The bus we caught out to Wolchulsan just happened to be a City Bus, making for an uncomfortable hour+ ride for some. As you can see, it was a popular destination for foreigners that day and I am sure that the sight of us startled the older Koreans who got on along the way.

Camping in the National Parks isn't quite like it is back home. Look back in a few days to see photos of our first camping weekend on the beach of Imja-Do.

Signage is very prominent while exploring the wilderness here in Korea. Conservation of nature is always a concern and therefore the Korean National Park has provided a few points to remember:
1. Let's conserve our natural resources. Check
2. Camping is allowed at designated areas. Check
3. Please done litter with trash or empty bottles. Check
4. No shemanism in park. Whaaa??

Provided for those who miss out on the large group stretching routines. In person, four photos look more like "How to Throw Up Without Getting it on Your Shoes" techniques. Clearly this was a low paid model who didn't care for her assignment.

And to round off this signage segment, here we have what became referred to as "The Lightening Pose". I will leave you to interpret this as you please.

Now, let the hiking begin. Including all stopping for breaks, food, photos and the like - the hike was competed in about 5.5 hours. Unfortunately Nick didn't make it to the peak. Not feeling the greatest that day, and being the kind man he is, he returned to the base with a guy from our group who injured his knee.

Nick, looking very outdoorsy next to the bamboo forest.

The Cloud Bridge.

Markers indicating directions for the tour groups.

I was able to capture a nice series of this man who whipped out a cucumber and chopped away on it like he was eating a banana.

Beginning to feel my legs quiver as I look down on what I had already accomplished.

If only I knew what was left to come... up Up UP!

Notice the man in red? Notice he is not wearing shoes? He hiked the whole day barefoot.

Wait just a minute. Why did we climb all those stairs, just to dive back down this rocky slope before going back up to the peak?

The black flecks towards the upper left are a group of people rappelling.

809 meters.

The peak was a regular traffic jam.

When you see older woman like these two make it to the peak, it makes one feel a bit guilty at how out of shape he/she is!

A waterfall, minus the water.

Though the water wasn't gushing forth from the waterfall, adorable spigots were in place to quench our thirst as we finished our decent.

Passing the Freetime

As you may have guessed by now, I really enjoy cooking up new creations as well as the good ol' classics. I am the type of person who needs a creative outlet - whether it's cooking in the kitchen or even water coloring in the kitchen.

I have been getting fancy with my sushi skills.

Homemade pesto pizza, thanks to yet another great care package from Nick's parents.

Inspiration stuck and the next thing I knew I was turning butter into caramel. The only problem was that my tinsy oven could barely hold this large batch.

With a little finess, I made this recipe into a tasty success.

Now I know what you may be thinking... 1) why are there briefs on the toaster oven? and 2) what does this have to do with cooking? Well, this has less to do with cooking and more to do with the fact that when in a pinch and without a clothes drier, this is the best alternative to Nick wearing wet briefs to work. Unconventional, sure - brilliantly effective, you bet!

 

 

 

The kitchen also double as my art studio. It's a little cramped but I make the best of it and Nick doesn't complain about a little India Ink in his food.

In preparation for spring, I cleared out my flower press. These are what I picked from our house in Minneapolis just before moving to Korea.