Fall is in the air...



Yesterday was parent teacher conferences at our school, and while it is not expected, some parents bring in gifts for the teachers.  Some got perfume, gift certificates, I got food.  Lots of doughnuts, rice snacks, and these cookies, which ask... Would you like to convey to people that you tell the of the sweet sincerity cookie... uh yeah, I guess I would. 

We were also invited on a five hour hike to enjoy the fall leaves.  I had signed all of us up- all 4 of the Odom4, but after checking the weather, and seeing that there was 100% chance of rain, the kids and Gary decided to stay home. 

I was seriously considering copping out, too, but upon hearing that the route had been changed to a mere 1.5 hours, I decided to go. 



It wound up just being me, our executive director, who organized the trip, and our IT guy. 



The one thing that I always missed when we lived in Florida was the fall.  We used to make frantic three day visits to NH where we would rush from apple picking to the Keene Pumpkin Fesitval, to the Audubon Center at Massabesic Lake... and then have to rush back down to FL.  But here, we get georgous leaves, fresh apples, hiking, and the scenery is just beautiful... but you wouldn't know it today..




The steps from the parking lot lead up to this fortress.  As we were walking our executive director stops and says, "OH NO!"  Concerrned, we asked what was the matter... he forgot to bring beer!... I love Korea! 



Also along the route are these stone statues.  At Massabesic Lake they have some bird houses...

Last night was torrential rain, which knocked a lot of the leaves off the trees, but you can still see some beauties!

Thankfully, this is NOT the trail.  But it was just about this steep for the first km.

Some more leaves...

and more...

As we got a little bit higher we hit fog.  It was really quiet and peaceful because the impending rain kept most everyone at home.

The IT guy said this would be a good spot for some ghosts.

The inner fortress continues upwards.

It was getting kind of creepy...

My 2 hiking companions.

We make it to our destination... Gasanbawi, which has an incredible panoramic view of Daegu and the surrounding areas.  It is a rock table, with a sheer drop all around it. 



Which of course means danger of falling!



We could not wait to see the view!

Notice the korean looking scarf... after 13 months I am starting to accessorize for exercise :)

OK, you know how a picture never does a view justice, and you always say, it was so much better in real life??? Well, that is not the case here.  This is exactly what it looked like at the top.  Put your head inside a white pillowcase and try to look around... that was the view from Gasanbawi today.

There is also a deep crevasse where there are supposedly metal animals buried to keep down the ground energy... but it was WAY down...

On our way back down I had to snap some more foliage pictures.



When we reached to bottom (which took three hours, not 1.5 as promised ) we had to stop at a trail side vendor to buy beer.  As we were sitting there sipping, the executive director says sagely, "This is happiness.  Good exercise, fresh air, cold beer. Ahhhhh..." 
Did I mention that I love Korea.  Anyway, the fresh air and good exercise must have made me forget that I already took this exact picture (see photo 2 at the top)...



We then stopped for lunch... can you imagine eating this cute litte duck giving you the thumbs up?  Mmmmmm.....

After we ate, the hostess brings over three apples and a sharp knife... the IT guy did a great job peeling them...

While I was having my hiking adventure, Gary and the kids were getting ready for the Pooks birthday and braving CostCo on a weekend... but that is a story for another time!  She will turn 9 tomorrow, but wanted to celebrate on Saturday night...

Happy Birthday, POOKS!  We love you!  xoxoxoxo

Wish you were all here to celebrate with us!