Jeong Seon pioneered the notion of realistic “true-view” landscape painting in Asia. For viewers in the modern age, his paintings provide a glimpse back in time. See also the companion exhibit by contemporary digital artist Lee Lee Nam.
Two Days in Gyeongju, South Korea
If you like history (or a calmer quality of life beyond Seoul), you will LOVE Gyeongju! This area was once the capital of the Shilla Kingdom, where King Munmu in the 600 AD period was able to unify three kingdoms into one central state. Tomb parks, temples, beaches and food!
Weekend Zen in Suncheon
A weekend of relaxation and contemplation is just 3 hours from Seoul on the KTX high speed train to Suncheon, in South Jeolla Province. This get-away is zero stress! Activities include deeply inhaling the sweet smell of pine, listening to the entrancing sway of bamboo, sipping green tea, and embracing silence.
Yucatan Road Trip: Playa del Carmen
Our 10 day Yucatan road trip officially started in Playa del Carmen, where we had the opportunity to live like a local. In this post, we detail some of the more local, off-the-beaten path spots in PDC, Mexico - and share car rental logistics in Mexico…
Yucatan Road Trip: Taak Bi Ha Cenote Stop
First stop on our 10 day Yucatan road trip was a cool dip in Taak Bi Ha underground cenote, near Tulum…
Yucatan Road Trip: Valladolid
Valladolid is a colorful but sleepy little town west of the Mayan Riviera and our home base for several nights while we explored surrounding sites. We came here for the food, but fell in love with the slow pace, night market, funky art shops, and street carts…
Yucatan Road Trip: Coba and Chichen Itza
On our 10 day Yucatan road trip, we made two separate day trips from Valladolid. The first was to Coba, where we were schooled in ancient Mayan shaman medicinal practices and then we explored Chichen Itza, one the of most famous and well-preserved city-state ruins in the Yucatan…
Yucatan Road Trip: Izamal (the Yellow City)
Another stop on our 10 day Yucatan Mexico road trip was to the Izamal, the yellow city. This cheerful little town is the home of Kinich, one of Mexico’s TOP restaurants for Mayan cuisine (cochinita pibil anyone?)…
Yucatan Road Trip: Merida, Capital of Yucatan
Merida is the capital of Yucatan and full of surprises! Lots here to steal our hearts, including the Korean Immigration Museum, Luis de Galvez Market, and the free art exhibit at City Hall…
Yucatan Road Trip: The Beaches of Holbox
Holbox was our island and beach destination of choice on our 10 day Yucatan road trip in Mexico. It is still a work in progress, so it’s a virgin destination for the intrepid traveler seeking bioluminescent marine life and whale sharks…
Yucatan Road Trip: Tulum
Tulum was the final destination in our 10-day Yucatan Peninsula road trip. It’s a town designed for Instagram, but we still found a few hidden gems…
Merida, Yucatan: Discovering Korean Connections
In 1905, over 1,000 Koreans immigrated to Merida, Mexico, to work the henequen fields. This is their story…
Bavarian Kings and Fairytale Palaces in Füssen, Germany 1833-1886
Ready for some fairytale castles? This post provides the historical context and cast of characters behind two of Germany’s most famous castles: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, near Füssen in Bavaria, Germany.
Sierra Nevada John Muir Trail (JMT) Class of 2022 - We Did It!
My biggest take-away from our 24 days on the John Muir Trail is that every person’s journey on any trail is going to be unique, shaped by prior hiking experience, physical conditioning, ability to acclimate, weather, gear and many other variables. Sure - watch and read other people’s reports to get a sense for what to expect. But walk into the wilderness expecting the unexpected…because it’s the “unexpected” that turns a planned through-hike into a memorable adventure.
John Muir Trail Packing List, Budget, Base Weight
This post costs our packing list, base weight details, and budget for our 24 day through-hike of the John Muir Trail in 2022.
John Muir Trail: Days 1-5 Lyell Canyon to Reds Meadow
Summer 2022 John Muir Trail. First leg of our SOBO JMT hike: Tuolumne Meadows to Reds Meado. Highlights: Lyell Canyon, Donahue Pass, Maries Lakes, Thousand Islands & Garnet Lakes, Mts. Lyell, Banner & Ritter, Shadow Lake, Devils Postpile, and Reds Meadow.
John Muir Trail: Days 6-9 Reds Meadow to Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR)
Summer 2022 John Muir Trail. 2nd leg of our SOBO JMT hike: Reds Meadow to Vermillion Valley Resort. Highlights: Duck Creek, Purple Lake, Virginia Lake, Tully Hole, Squaw Lake, Silver Pass, Lake Thomas Edison, and Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR).
John Muir Trail: Days 10-15 VVR to Golden Staircase
Summer 2022 John Muir Trail. Third MONSOON leg of our SOBO JMT hike: Vermillion Valley Resort to turn-around on the Golden Staircase. Highlights: Bear Creek, Selden Pass, Sallie Keyes, Muir Trail Ranch (MTR), Kings Canyon, Evolution Creek, Evolution Lake, Muir Pass, Le Conte Canyon, Golden Staircase.
John Muir Trail: Days 16-18 Bishop and Independence
Summer 2022 John Muir Trail. 4th leg of our SOBO JMT hike, actually off the trail in the Bishop area of the Sierras. Highlights: Bishop Pass, Long Lake, Parcher’s, Willow Creek Campground, Tyee Trail, and hitchhiking.
John Muir Trail: Days 19-24 Kearsarge Pass to Mt. Whitney Portal
Summer 2022 John Muir Trail. Last leg of our SOBO JMT hike: Onion Valley trailhead (Independence) to Mt. Whitney summit and portal. Highlights: Kearsarge Pass, Forrester Pass, Bighorn Plateau, Crabtree Meadow, Guitar Lake, Mt. Whitney, Lone Pine Lake, Trail Camp, Outpost Camp.