Dobongsan

Spring is here in Korea, and I've found the call to the mountains too hard to resist. Yesterday I met up with some friends and climbed to the top of Ja-u Peak on Mt. Dobong in the northern part of Seoul. It was a steep, crowded climb, but the view made it more than worthwhile.

Checking out the map at the park entranceTaking a break about halfway up. The lanterns are for Buddha's birthday next month.Almost to the topAt the peakWe hiked back down and stopped for dinner at a restaurant where we sat on the patio overlooking a rocky stream in the early evening sunlight.

Delicious food: Dotorimuk (acorn jelly), Beoseotjeongol (spicy mushroom soup), and Kimchijeon (kimchi and seafood pancake)We stopped at the subway station for one last picture--this one with the beautiful spring flowers which are all in bloom here in Korea.