Yong Pyong has two peaks - one accessible by lift, the other only by gondola.
We warmed each day on this slope before heading up higher on the mountain. It was flat enough here for me to snowplow backward to catch everyone on film.
From the top of one peak down a ridge run called Gold Fantastic - this is the last steep part before the end. Maggie's starting to ski more parallel, stem christie turns, but needs to work on getting those skis together. Alex has a good solid wedge. We enjoyed intermediate and even some advanced runs in the 4 days we skied.
From the top of the gondola at Dragon Peak skiing down the first pitch of the 5.8km run. A little steep and bumpy, sorry! Notice the guy in yellow pants who swishes by so nicely on the right then wipes out.
A flat part halfway down the long run from the top. We paid extra for the gondola so that day went down that 5.8km run almost all day until we headed back to the base by traversing over to another lift to take the run from the top of the other peak.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Fall-Winter 2009
Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated the blog - it's a cliche and I always say it - "time flies!"
Maggie has finished Semester 1 and Alex is halfway through a trimester. There's the usual schedule of school and after school activities and we're still biking to and from school unless it's really raining. Both took climbing classes at the YMCA until term end in December and Maggie continues with tap dance this year. Alex is in Shotokan Karate and just finished with his term 1 after school jogging club. He also joins his friends for a pick-up soccer game every now and then.
The week before Thanksgiving, I got away for a weekend to Taipei with Wai Yee and Siew Foon. We had been talking about a mom's getaway for years - our original group of 7 in HK has dwindled... We were out late each day - the National Palace Museum, lots of walking and shopping around, over-eating at the night markets and various little eateries. Delicious, as expected. We even came across a beef noodle soup competition but the lines were so long we didn't try anything.
Instead of our old tradition of Thanksgiving at Dan Ryan's, we had Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's house. There were 8 families represented as well as additional school friends - maybe 30 in all! It was great to see old friends and enjoy all the yummy food.
The week before Christmas Mary was in town so we all gathered for dinner at my place.
Our family then took off for our Christmas vacation to rural South Korea for 4 days of skiing at Yong Pyong plus a couple more days to see another area. Christmas eve day we moved to a little inn called Micrat Pension and ate at the nearby ski resort we were thinking of skiing at the next day. Christmas morning we went to the church that the inn's owners had built and joined their small congregation for a potluck lunch. There was so much traffic up to the resort that we decided to relax back at the inn and get ready for Christmas dinner - our own DIY BBQ. It was snowing, but we were in a covered hut, huddled around the BBQ. The owners brought out the coals, already perfectly covered with ash and ready to go, placing it next to our table laden with kimchee, soup, rice, veggies and a platter of various cuts of pork. It was all delicious!
The kids slowed down for the following "action shots" but actually, they did great and we hit nearly every trail that was open - including the advanced runs! There was a bit of fresh snow, but mostly packed, groomed powder. The longest run was 5.8km from the top of the gondola.
After Korea, I took a quick trip on my own to see my parents. My dad, who, as you many of you already know, passed away on New Year's Eve day, after nearly five years battling lung cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was doing well after a blood transfusion, still taking care of himself, eating a little, walking, talking, and watching his TV recordings until the last day. Melodie and I were both there and we video called Paul and the kids. The internet has truly been a wonderful way to keep in touch.
When I got back to HK, school was about to begin again, and we quickly jumped back into the old routine. Last weekend Alex and a couple jogging club members and coach joined a 3k fun run as an end to the after school jogging club. I also entered since I had to bring Alex there - a little exercise never hurts and it was a beautiful day!
Click here for more photos of our ski trip
Instead of our old tradition of Thanksgiving at Dan Ryan's, we had Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's house. There were 8 families represented as well as additional school friends - maybe 30 in all! It was great to see old friends and enjoy all the yummy food.
The week before Christmas Mary was in town so we all gathered for dinner at my place.
Our family then took off for our Christmas vacation to rural South Korea for 4 days of skiing at Yong Pyong plus a couple more days to see another area. Christmas eve day we moved to a little inn called Micrat Pension and ate at the nearby ski resort we were thinking of skiing at the next day. Christmas morning we went to the church that the inn's owners had built and joined their small congregation for a potluck lunch. There was so much traffic up to the resort that we decided to relax back at the inn and get ready for Christmas dinner - our own DIY BBQ. It was snowing, but we were in a covered hut, huddled around the BBQ. The owners brought out the coals, already perfectly covered with ash and ready to go, placing it next to our table laden with kimchee, soup, rice, veggies and a platter of various cuts of pork. It was all delicious!
The kids slowed down for the following "action shots" but actually, they did great and we hit nearly every trail that was open - including the advanced runs! There was a bit of fresh snow, but mostly packed, groomed powder. The longest run was 5.8km from the top of the gondola.
After Korea, I took a quick trip on my own to see my parents. My dad, who, as you many of you already know, passed away on New Year's Eve day, after nearly five years battling lung cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was doing well after a blood transfusion, still taking care of himself, eating a little, walking, talking, and watching his TV recordings until the last day. Melodie and I were both there and we video called Paul and the kids. The internet has truly been a wonderful way to keep in touch.
When I got back to HK, school was about to begin again, and we quickly jumped back into the old routine. Last weekend Alex and a couple jogging club members and coach joined a 3k fun run as an end to the after school jogging club. I also entered since I had to bring Alex there - a little exercise never hurts and it was a beautiful day!
Click here for more photos of our ski trip
Sunday, November 08, 2009
This year we had a couple of Alex's friends join us at camp... Click link for photos since Adobe Flash slideshow no longer supported. Camp 2009
We also camped last year. Fall is the best weather here!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
All is well here, the weather is finally cooling off, great for bike riding, so Paul and I have gone riding in the mornings after riding
with them to school.
Beautiful weather for walking/hiking, so we're making an attempt to go out each weekend. A couple of weeks ago was our annual school fundraiser - Walkathon and Fall Festival, about 3km - will still take late sponsors :) and all funds go to the school's endowment fund. Let me know if you would like to help our school!
Last weekend we went for a forest hike at Tai Po Kau. Link to photos since Adobe Flash slideshow no longer supported. Tai Po Kau forest walk
Monday, August 31, 2009
Alex pronounced this year's birthday "The best ever!"
The staff had climbing games lined up - I don't remember these games when Maggie had climbing parties years ago, but the staff have much more experience with these events now, so I'm not surprised they know how to get people to participate.
You'll see these two games in the photo slideshow: Relay game, two teams: two climbers start on the sides of the wall and attempt to traverse to the opposite side. When they meet, to determine who goes on they play rock, paper, scissors. The loser jumps down and the winner tries to get across the wall before the other team sends up their next climber to block and play rock, scissors again until one team gets to the opponent's side to win. Teamwork game: two climbers are linked together with a length of rope and must climb together to the top. The catch is one person is wearing a blindfold and the other must verbally guide him to climb. Some funny commands given - we really take our sight for granted!
I think everyone enjoyed themselves!
Here's a couple photos from Maggie's first climbing wall party (indoors) 2002:
In late 2004 she got to go on a school trip to the outdoor wall (Alex, too)...
...so she decided to have another climbing party, this time at the outdoor wall in 2005.
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| From Alex's climbing party 09 |
The staff had climbing games lined up - I don't remember these games when Maggie had climbing parties years ago, but the staff have much more experience with these events now, so I'm not surprised they know how to get people to participate.
You'll see these two games in the photo slideshow: Relay game, two teams: two climbers start on the sides of the wall and attempt to traverse to the opposite side. When they meet, to determine who goes on they play rock, paper, scissors. The loser jumps down and the winner tries to get across the wall before the other team sends up their next climber to block and play rock, scissors again until one team gets to the opponent's side to win. Teamwork game: two climbers are linked together with a length of rope and must climb together to the top. The catch is one person is wearing a blindfold and the other must verbally guide him to climb. Some funny commands given - we really take our sight for granted!
I think everyone enjoyed themselves!
Here's a couple photos from Maggie's first climbing wall party (indoors) 2002:
In late 2004 she got to go on a school trip to the outdoor wall (Alex, too)...
...so she decided to have another climbing party, this time at the outdoor wall in 2005.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Selected Summer 2009 photos from Paul
Selected Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park photos from Paul
Selected Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park photos from Paul
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Note: Picasaweb photos are now Google Photos - following are updated links to albums:
Summer 2009, Summer 2009 in the pool, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons and SLC, Paso Robles, Morrow Bay, Santa Barbara
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Wow - the month sure has gone by in a flash and boy, were we busy! We're heading back to HKG next week, so here's a monster post before I get sucked into the whirlwind of back to school prep...
We had a week before we left for Yellowstone, so during that time Paul got some golf in, we did a little shopping, and we took the kids to La Brea Tarpits and Page Museum.
The kids have enjoyed time in the pool as is the norm.
We went to Yellowstone National Park for our semi-annual vacation with the entire Su family. We rented a cabin in West Yellowstone, Montana as our base and each day was spent driving, looking at sites and for wildlife... It's huge, with so much to see. Took lots of photos. Click on the underlined words under the photos for links to Picasaweb photo albums. We drove from SLC through Idaho, detouring for the Mesa Falls bypass (scenic route) and drove through (Wyoming) Grand Tetons on the way back to Salt Lake City. We spent some time with my relatives there and my parents and sister flew out as well. We played dodgeball and climbed the treehouse in the backyard, went swimming at the local rec center, went for a waterfall hike (Alex got wet, of course!), went to a fun center where the kids drove go-karts, and ate way too much food!
After that, we headed to SF for our NorCal tour visiting more friends and family in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Redding and stopping by Davis to see a cousin for lunch break.
We went to a farmer's market with Melodie, sampling and buying lots of juicy stone fruits, as well as half a flat of strawberries (Maggie's holding the box width wise; it's about twice as long as you see!)
We also went up to Mt Tam for a bird's eye view of SF from Marin County.
While in Redding, we went to Turtle Bay Exploration Park where they had a special exhibit of Sue-T the T-Rex created by the Field Museum, Chicago and super lego creations by Nathan Sawaya. You can't see, but the detail is incredible!
After Redding, we drove back to SF to pick up Melodie and hit the road to lovely Paso Robles where we spent the weekend wine tasting and going to Morro Bay on the coast to look at Morro Rock. We enjoyed a picnic there while waiting for the fog to lift but ran out of time since we needed to catch the Amtrak train in San Luis Obispo to ride to Santa Barbara for one more night on the road. (We were gone nearly the whole month of July!) We went to an old favorite seafood place for dinner, kayaking the next morning out to the mile buoy (lots of sea lions and pelicans), fish and chips for lunch and walked back to the train station to catch the "Surfliner" to LA Union Station. Riding the train was slow, but scenic, since the route was along the SoCal coastline.
Finally, I'll end this with video with a surprise ending due to my negligence. Rented mountain bikes during our visit, went to a nordic ski area with lots of trees and the 'runs' were open areas with single track - easy with smooth trails and some little hills. Also went for a ride through a meadow next to a river - more technical with lots of stones embedded in the trail. Thought I would film a bit - need a helmet cam!
Summer 2009, Summer 2009 in the pool, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons and SLC, Paso Robles, Morrow Bay, Santa Barbara
-
Wow - the month sure has gone by in a flash and boy, were we busy! We're heading back to HKG next week, so here's a monster post before I get sucked into the whirlwind of back to school prep...
We had a week before we left for Yellowstone, so during that time Paul got some golf in, we did a little shopping, and we took the kids to La Brea Tarpits and Page Museum.
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| From Summer 2009 |
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| From Summer 2009 |
The kids have enjoyed time in the pool as is the norm.
 |
| From Summer 2009 in the pool |
We went to Yellowstone National Park for our semi-annual vacation with the entire Su family. We rented a cabin in West Yellowstone, Montana as our base and each day was spent driving, looking at sites and for wildlife... It's huge, with so much to see. Took lots of photos. Click on the underlined words under the photos for links to Picasaweb photo albums. We drove from SLC through Idaho, detouring for the Mesa Falls bypass (scenic route) and drove through (Wyoming) Grand Tetons on the way back to Salt Lake City. We spent some time with my relatives there and my parents and sister flew out as well. We played dodgeball and climbed the treehouse in the backyard, went swimming at the local rec center, went for a waterfall hike (Alex got wet, of course!), went to a fun center where the kids drove go-karts, and ate way too much food!
 |
| From Yellowstone National Park |
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| From Grand Tetons and SLC |
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| From Grand Tetons and SLC |
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| From Grand Tetons and SLC |
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| From Grand Tetons and SLC |
After that, we headed to SF for our NorCal tour visiting more friends and family in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Redding and stopping by Davis to see a cousin for lunch break.
We went to a farmer's market with Melodie, sampling and buying lots of juicy stone fruits, as well as half a flat of strawberries (Maggie's holding the box width wise; it's about twice as long as you see!)
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
We also went up to Mt Tam for a bird's eye view of SF from Marin County.
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
While in Redding, we went to Turtle Bay Exploration Park where they had a special exhibit of Sue-T the T-Rex created by the Field Museum, Chicago and super lego creations by Nathan Sawaya. You can't see, but the detail is incredible!
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
 |
| From Summer 2009 |
After Redding, we drove back to SF to pick up Melodie and hit the road to lovely Paso Robles where we spent the weekend wine tasting and going to Morro Bay on the coast to look at Morro Rock. We enjoyed a picnic there while waiting for the fog to lift but ran out of time since we needed to catch the Amtrak train in San Luis Obispo to ride to Santa Barbara for one more night on the road. (We were gone nearly the whole month of July!) We went to an old favorite seafood place for dinner, kayaking the next morning out to the mile buoy (lots of sea lions and pelicans), fish and chips for lunch and walked back to the train station to catch the "Surfliner" to LA Union Station. Riding the train was slow, but scenic, since the route was along the SoCal coastline.
 |
| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
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| From Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara |
Finally, I'll end this with video with a surprise ending due to my negligence. Rented mountain bikes during our visit, went to a nordic ski area with lots of trees and the 'runs' were open areas with single track - easy with smooth trails and some little hills. Also went for a ride through a meadow next to a river - more technical with lots of stones embedded in the trail. Thought I would film a bit - need a helmet cam!
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