Yes, it was a return trip to Jee Yeun’s favorite mountain, Bukhansan…

A river runs through it. Sort of.

Last year when we reached this spot about halfway up the mountain I was gasping for breath and near collapse. This time I had enough energy to actually do some arm raises. That’s Jee Yeun’s mom showing off doing inclined situps.

Jangbae, the potential future son-in-law joined us on the hike…

Jee Yeun loves to hula hoop. The park conveniently keeps some laying about for like minded individuals.  You can see one hanging in that tree behind her in fact…

So, I try and do a selfie and I get photobombed by Jee Yeun AND her mother. Geez. Oh well, I forgot to make a duck face anyway….

This time I made it all the way to the end of the trail and was rewarded with a nice cold drink of fresh spring water. Really, not carrying that extra 50 pounds with me made a hell of a difference. Probably didn’t hurt that I’m not smoking these days either…

Of course, I was aided by my brand spanking new walking stick. Technically speaking.

It’s often amazing what you can observe naturally occurring in nature. Take this ancient tree trunk for example. If you look at it just right it appears to contain some form of ancient writing…

…And this naturally occurring rock formation was fascinating as well…