Misan Creek action......

Here's an action shot from Misan Creek that Captain Kim took. Still wearing borrowed gear. Didn't realize how nice the Prijon Corsica full-face helmet is that I borrowed from Luca.



Boofing the WS Project 62......

4.20.08 kayak adventure to the Misan Valley....

Another nice Sunday out of the city and into the beautiful countryside of S.Korea. I am so happy to have the opportunity of traveling around and experiencing what this country has to offer....and what better way to do it than with a kayak. I am looking forward to every weekend and the chance to escape the city life.....a big YAHOO!! So....this Sunday's adventure took us to the Misan Valley, located about 2.5 hours east of Seoul.



Ahhhh.......a great view, NO APARTMENT BUILDINGS!!! Driving to meet up with 2 Korean kayakers...running a bit late and Luca and I got lost just outside of Seoul for about an 1hr. A bit confusing, since are map is not too detailed, however we are learning the area and will soon figure out the awkwardly designed Korean highway system.....



Asking directions at a petrol station.....the attendant was more knowledgeable than the previous pedestrians we asked!?!



Ahhh......we finally met up with the other two Kayakers....here's Luca and I with the paddler the call "Big Wave".....he was a bit unhappy at first, due to waiting on us.....but after we got some ice cream, the fun began!



Leaving Gyeonggi-Do and heading into Gang-Won-Do.....one of the more mountainous provinces of S.Korea......



YES....we are in the country....



Nice billboard....Rafting and MTB!!! A feeling of passion for the outdoors.....



Near the Blue Wave Canoe School.....noticed a person diggin' around in the river....at first, I thought a river crossing....hmmm....wonder what he/she is looking for??



Loading the truck and almost ready to head out to Misan Creek.....



LOW WATER.....in the beautiful Misan Valley.......I can only image during the rainy season...and I can hardly wait....!




Looking up stream...incredible blue sky......



6 out of 7 of us.....Captain Kim is taking the photo......he is the slalom kayak coach of S.Korea and there is "Big Wave" in the yellow drysuit ready for action.....



The 2 foreign water boys ready for kayaking........



break time.....definitely a scenic run.....low...but kayakable.....



Nice drop they call the "2nd Drop"



rocky beach.....with colorful plastic......



all's we need is more H2O .....I should have some action shots from the others....hopefully I will post them soon.....nice pink flowers littered the river banks.....



Will everything fit.....



Looks like a ceremony for a new kayak and gear......they are into the ceremonies here....and YES, that is an actual head of a PIG! This was a photograph on the wall...



After kayaking, Captain Kim prepared the Korean Style BBQ....very hungry and very delicious!



the night before I bought some Birra Moretti's (Italian beer) at the local GS 25 convenience store....time to relax and tell kayaking stories......



Under the tent....



Time to Eat!


A view of the kayaker's compound!



Slalom banner.....



more advertising.....



The car is packed and ready to head back to the city.....but not just yet....it's nice to hang out after paddling and enjoy the clean and crisp country mountain air....



Serious game of ping-pong....now is when I wish I took lessons from Rachel Northrup....



after dinner....more relaxing, a little beer and dried fish.....



Back to the city.....at least we have some nature in Bundang....nearby my place and a nice walk to Sunae station area...



pleasing to the eye.....

Well, that concludes Sunday's adventure.....Stay tuned for more of South Korea....it's an enjoyable place to live.....

Yeowool Kayak Club & Walk to work......

A few more pics of last Sunday's kayak adventure and an enjoyable walk to work.....



Just received this photo...the Yeowool Kayak Club in S.Korea. This about 1/3 of the active whitewater kayakers in S.Korea. I am the 3rd one in from the left in the green kayak....Cool pic, this was at the Put-in of the Hantan-gang. Great group of outdoor enthusiasts. Kayaking is going to a good way to explore more of this country. I will be able to experience many places around the peninsula.



Time for the Ceremony....



Everyone bowing.....check out the little dude in the green jacket....Future Korean Kayaker....learning the traditional way....



The Group.....Ready to head to the Put-in.....



Action shot.....performing a small ender in the WaveSport EZG 50.......



This is a aerial view Misan Creek. Looks like fun....Excited to check it out.....



The Hantan-gang at a high flow...found this on one of the Korean Kayaker's photo page....
Ahhh.....BIG WATER FUN!!!!



Walking to work the other day and noticed some nice puffy clouds among the apartment buildings.....It's not that often that we see clouds like this.....so, taking it in!!



Ahh..springtime color.....



Blooming....all around us....



Still have a few days to peak.....nice walk to work, appreciating city life!

TGIF!
Until next time.........

April..2008..Springtime..Kayaking..MTB..Blossoms....

Springtime in S.Korea just keeps getting better. Wonderfully unexpected......

This is a comforting site to see.....whitewater kayaks on the cars....time to have some fun!!



No Creek Boats (kayaks), but Freestyle / Play Kayaks.....



My introduction to the Korean Yeowool Kayak Club....



Traditional Ceremony to start off the 2008 Korean Kayak season and blessing of a member's new kayak and our paddles......



On the table....food for the ceremony included fruits, pressed pork, mokoli (Korean rice wine), and 1 dried out fish to be tied to the new kayak for it's maiden voyage...



Getting ready....10:00a.m. start for the ceremony....



the dried out fish.....



learning how to correctly bow......



here we go.......



2 bows were recommended.......




then a sip of mokoli.....



After that.....toss the mokoli into the river for the river gods.....



the Italian and the American (Slovenian...too!, right DAD!!).........



Future Korean kayaker........


The Hantan-gang (River) located near the border of North Korea about 2 hours north of Seoul near a town called Chaeorwon.....beautiful river flowing down from N.Korea, as you can see in the photo, it's at a low flow, but when it rains, it can fill up fast.....



At first I thought this was ice on the bank, but it's actually a smooth flat piece of granite. Amazing......eh? Nice spot for a break!



One of the rapids....



That's me! YAHOO!! I was paddling some kayak produced by Dag kayaks called the "Scandal"
and borrowed gear....However, my Mother is sending my gear, should arrive next week. Just in time for a mini-vacation from work...and more adventures with the Korean kayakers.
THANK-YOU MOM!!!!



Incredible rock formations with some spring flowers....



The size of the river bed was impressive, definitely will be back at different water levels.



Another rapid! Nice to be in the water.....hole punching....


There is a colored water level gauge in the distance....the colors show the different levels....very low today.....



Spring flowers on the river banks.....



This is how you use a paddle right?



The kayak I will be using next time on the RIO.....



After kayaking, a nice cooked meal consisting of soup, rice and many delicious side dishes. And of course the green bottles of Soju....but Luca (Italian) and I opted for a beer.



The drive home......this was a bit bizarre, seeing ATV's cruising down the road weaving in and out of traffic....



Heading back to the city....the sun is setting and just on the other side of that ridge line is Seoul.



I was starving, so before heading back to Bundang, I stopped off for some Mexican food at this local taco place. Pretty tasty for being in S.Korea....Felt a bit like home (Colorado) after paddling with the crew......


OK....That's all for the second kayak adventure, time for some more spring beauty and fun!!!



Outside a bakery near Seohyeon Station in Bundang......nice cruiser bicycle....




unique game.....teams of 3 or 4, a soccer ball, a small court with a net similar to tennis, and a referee. You can only let the ball bounce once and you can use your feet or your head. Looks like fun....There are some Philippians's that play and they don't let the ball touch at all....ahhhh.......It's getting warmer out.....



some wildlife in the city with a nice reflection...taken from the bike path....



Cherry Blossoms galore.....



more blossoms....



beautiful season in Korea.....



Even some color in the mountains on the MTB trails.....



my SWEET ride...... :)



Some of the smooth trails....



Flying through the woods......



Quality single track......looks like fall but soon to be green and lush!



Haze in the city of Bundang....or could that be the Yellow Sand from the Gobi desert in the air....
We have to be careful certain days of this season....Winds will pick up sand from the Gobi and pick up the pollution from China and then it comes and settles in South Korea. I have a website that I regularly check, so playing it safe. When it is really bad it is recommended to wear a mask and to stay inside. So far, I have not experienced that.....China cut down a lot of the trees that used to help filter the air to stop the particles from coming our way......Not thinking of the environment, just the profit from the resources.....



Small garden by one of my favorite MTB trails..."Cafe 32 Loop"...ready to produce.....



Mountain Temple..... You may have seen this one before. This is towards the end of what I call the "Buddha Trail." It's another great MTB ride. 10 mile loop. It has one of the most technical descents leading down to this temple. Then, you can take your shoes and helmet off and meditate in the temple for a bit before riding home.



Kwan-yin (Chinese Buddha) means.....Also Kannon (Japanese). Bodhisattva of Compassion, depicted in female form. Identified with Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.



You can see a few baby Buddhas here. Not sure what the name of this one is.....



Getting ready for Buddha's birthday, which I believe is the 5th of May. Should be a great day to visit a temple. Many colorful lanterns.....



Close-up of a lantern......



Spring colors....very beautiful time of the year.....Jeongja officetels in the background.....



closeup of the cherry blossom......



Walking back from Seohyeon Station on the Tanchon River walking and bike paths....taking in the beauty of Bundang...not a bad place to be living.....



Nice advertisement for Cadillac......



Bike path heading up to the mountains.....a favorite site......cyclist artwork.....



Well..that's all for now.....hope you enjoyed the show.....stay tuned for more adventures and spring time images....