This past weekend we drove across the peninsula to Korea’s west coast to Nae Jang San. Famed in Korea as one of the best of the national parks, Nae Jang San boasts a fall spectacular of color. It’s been warm up until very lately, so the park was still quite green. I could imagine that in a few more weeks, things would peak and be truly amazing. Only some of the maples have gone completely red, some only on the fringes and some, particularly in the lower elevations, are still green. The huge white oak trees were also a mix of green and yellow. The ginkgo trees, however, were a very pretty yellow.

The picture above is of one of the outer buildings of Bae Gyang Sa temple and Nae Jang Mountain in the background. Probably one of the better pictures I’ve taken this year. The temple is at the base of the mountain and entrance to a large box canyon filled with the now emerging fall colors.

The temple has been there for hundreds of years. The trees surround it are nearly as old. Many of the maples they say are 300-500 years old. The white oak behind MyeongHee and SaTang is enormous

Quite a few people were scurrying around under the oak collecting acorns which they make into a tofu-like jelly.

I have complained much in the past on Korean furniture. Minimal would be the best description. I’ve learned this weekend, however, that minimalist furniture can be quite an advantage at times. We went on this trip with two other couples and another woman – seven of us total. Rather than go out to eat in restaurants, we saved money by eating in. And Korean women can pack some food! What Americans might call a carpet picnic is very common in Korea. Just pull up a piece of the floor and dig in. On Saturday night, we spread a few newspapers on the hotel floor and used a small camping stove to cook pork. Kimchi and other side dishes travel well and were copious. On Sunday, after cruising through the park and fighting the huge crowds, we stopped the car on the side of the road and had another picnic. Who needs a table? We just spread out a pad that seems to be standard equipment in everyone’s car and sat on the shoulder. While it may be uncomfortable, it’s convenient as hell to just eschew the table and embrace the floor or ground.