But for now, here is our Veteran's Day weekend trip to Mt. Seorak, on the east coast of Korea. We went with 3 other families from the neighborhood, and just had a blast!
We had the "girls car", also known and Giggle Central. Gryphon kept her iPod on the whole time...I can't imagine why.
Here are various kids (but not a complete set) in front of the overlook for Ulsan Rock off the highway.
Our hotel, the not-glamorous but *fabulously* located Seorak Tourist Hotel. I highly recommend this place- its steps from the cable car, right in the park. And the manager speaks great English, too.
The view from our room. See what I mean?
I took the girls to Cheoksan Hot Springs from some hot tub relaxing time, while Mark stayed back and the others went to the temple near Seorak. We had an okay time, but it is more a medicinal hot springs than a big resort-springs, so there were no jjimjillbangs (themed sauna rooms) or game rooms or outside hot tubs that the girls really like. The woman running the women's side was also a jerk- she kept following the girls (literally) and telling them not to do x,y,z...which is fine, except no one would know you can't do that, since right next to them Korean kids were also doing it and she didn't say a thing to them. The Korean girls had their hair down, but Henslee's ponytail coming loose was a terrible emergency. The Korean girls were playing with the plastic tubs along the hot tubs, but when the girls did it- she promptly took the tubs away and scolded them. Normally Korean hot springs/saunas are very family friendly, and I can honestly tell you these girls (Hannah, Henslee, Gry and Rowan) are much, much better behaved than your average Korean child we see at one, but if you are planning to visit Cheoksan I would say just skip it.
When we got back to the mountain, everyone was outside at the outdoor restaurant, eating Korean pancakes (pajeon) and enjoying the great weather. It was so, so nice, not cold at all. We hot springs girls were hungry, so we headed off to eat dinner.
We tried Hwangtae, a dried fish that a regional specialty of the area. I had always wanted to try it, but I didn't really like it! Other people really did, though, so that was good. Then we sat up on the hotel balcony and talked while the kids bounced from room to room having fun until late at night.
The next day we descended en mass on the trail to Boryeong Falls. We made quite the spectacle traipsing through the forest. Gryphon especially loved being out in the fresh, non-city air.
Rowan explained the trail-side pagodas to the other kids. You add a rock to the top, and if rocks fall- bad luck. If it stays up, good luck. The kids got lots of luck.
Just like the numerous rest stops on Korean highways, they have hiking trail rest stops! At this one we could sample wine made from local berries.
Herbs for sale at a rest area further down the trail. No idea what they are, but they sure are pretty!
Ah, yes, nothing makes you feel worse when huffing and puffing up a trail then to see a 70 year old nun, in a skirt, trip lightly down the trail, not even out of breath. Especially if you are hiking with beer. I'm pretty sure she added us to her prayer list that night!
At the falls, the kids played and we got some photos. Here are Rowan, Ellen and Henslee.
Gryphon reflecting. (On her reflection?)
Finally, a family photo! Normally there is no one to take one!
Then it was time for the cable car to the top.
Lucas had been waiting all day for that cable car- he was so happy! But not so much at the top, which is pretty darn scary, I agree. No guardrails, just sheer 700 foot drops and kids running around.
Also, its pretty windy.
Brave ones.
Some kind of pretty purple berry. 
View of the east sea and Seorak from the cable car as we went down- wish I had a better shot of that glorious moon!
That night we went to Wild Boar Village (maetdwaeji maeoul) and chowed down on some *very* tasty boar. The restaurant has a trampoline, swing and many semi-feral cats, so it was a big hit with the kids. 
The next day we drove out to Sokcho, on the coast, to see the beach and a town I have wanted to go to for a while- Abai Village. "Abai" is a north Korean word for Grandfather, and the town was originally settled by people from North Hamyeong province relocating after the war. Its on an island in Seokcho harbor.
The kids played at the beach while Mark and I explored the village.
This is the ferry to the island, its been running for 60 years. (Nowadays they have a bridge, too). It is pulled from side to side by a ferryman, its just fabulous. Given how old everyone is in the village, I am glad we saw it- I think it will not be around much longer.
House number sign in Abai Village.
Cuttlefish drying on a line.
Abai village is famous for it's "Abai Soondae" or sausage. The Abai version is wrapped in squid and fried in batter. I am not a huge Soondae fan, but Mark likes it. 
We bought some Abai Soondae to take back to everyone at the beach from this adorable lady selling it on the street.
The guys liked the Soondae!
Then for lunch on the way out of town, we stopped at a picturesque duck restaurant and ate duck stew outside under a log shelter.
This restaurant had a swing, too, so the kids were happy.
They played on the swing and in and out of the woods while we ate. Here is Ellen with a bulldozer. How cute is she?
Then we took the southern route back through the mountains, winding past Osaek Hot Springs and up the beautiful passes. Bittersweet watching those majestic views, because I am pretty sure it will be the last time in Seorak. It was a trip we will always remember!
