A beautiful and chilly fall day-- fall and winter are fighting and winter is about to win. Soaking up the last glimmer of oranges and yellows high in the Korean mountains. And a visit to Chiaksan National Park with more of a country feel to life. Small villages and local produce stands set the tone for a cozy day in the woods. We stayed the night at Alpensia Ski Resort in Pyeongchang where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held.  

Visiting with some kind ladies curious about us. Chiaksan National Park did not have any other foreigners.

Irrigation on kettle-full at a time.

A local selling indigenous produce at a road-side stand.

Low-tech bridge.

Last chance for food and drinks before heading up the mountain. 

Ominous dragon guarding the mountains.

Buddhist monks and a bridge crossing at Odaesan National Park.

Today we hopped in a van from the USO and headed to the Korean Folk Village with our friends. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy being outside and observe how an old village during the Chosun Dynasty would likely operate.

Welcome to land of the thatched roof homes.

We were greeted by totem poles when we first walked in and  for a moment I thought I was somewhere in the Pacific Islands of the Americas.  

I am grinding something, possibly corn. It really felt like walking into an Asian-style, middle ages village. Only sans suits of armor and the plague. 

This home would be for a wealthier family, hence the "real" roof. They also built their homes with no nails showing. It was impossible to find them. 

Their furniture was actually quite remarkable for the time era.

A hut JUST for Kimchi. Saying they take their Kimchi seriously is an understatement. I would say life revolved around it back in the Chosun Village. 

This is the way they ironed back in the day. I don't iron, so I told Darren to make sure he got a photo!

No day would be complete without the traditional performers. These guys were amazing and LOUD . . . very loud.

Elijah wants to join in very badly. 

Birds-eye view.

As  long as she has her paci, anything will hold her attention. :( 

TERESA!! She and her family make these events so much more fun!

Acrobat! This guy was probably pushing 70. The fact that he could jump was impressive, much less on a rope.

Mooing at the cow. 

We found a rice paddy!

We brought her all the way to the Folk Village and she wanted to play in the sand. 

Elijah and Emmalyn appear to have gotten hitched. Here they are in tradtional Korean wedding garb.

Some spirit tree . . . weird, but cool photo.

Thankful for memorial day weekend, so we can do stuff with friends and daddy! 

Those ears are not made for my head, but here Darren and I are getting married. . . at least he looks happier than the first time. ;)

All those kids with cell phones. WOW. 

Old-fashioned dining area. They had some strange food selections. I ate a normal beef and vegetable meal, but Darren was a bit more adventuresome. . . 

Here Darren has spicy kimchi with sesame and ACORN JELLY! Yikes. 

Ahhh Tofu, my new love. Here it is being made. I prefer not to see my food being made, so I didn't eat tofu today.