mom's hometown

At the end of last autumn, cycled around the mom's hometown, the far northern region of the province surrounding Daegu 대구. Mom's parents lived in a small village near Hwaseo 화서 when she was born, in which she had witnessed the historical moments like the independence from Japan and the Korean war. The grand parents now rest in peace at the nearby hill with a good view, and the uncle and aunt below them, too. 

Parked at Hwaseo township office in the morning, and headed southwards towards Hwanggan 황간 along the typical rural road. It was a little bit chilly, chiller than Daegu. Passed small villages and arrived at the bottom of mountain pass. As other people, mother had to cross the high mountain pass named Subong Jae 수봉재 on foot to go and come to Hwanggan, where a railway station is located. She doesn't remember how long it took from her village to the railway station on foot, however, she said sometimes she must spend a night at her relative' home in a village on the way home. For her son, about two and half an hour were enough to reach the station from the township office by bicycle. The high mountain pass is under construction in order to lower the height and widen the road.

It was the second visit to Hwanggan, whose railway station, catholic church on the hill and downtown seem to be the same as before. The quiet town scenery keeps a visitor warm and secure as ever. 

On the way back, ran eastwards to Chupungryeong 추풍령 that has the highest altitude railway station on the Seoul-Busan railroad line. A water tank tower in the place where steam locomotives stopped to refill water still remains. And then, headed northwards and passed through three villages, Modong 모동, Moseo 모서 and Hwadong 화동, and finally reached at the graves nestled in the hill where the grandparents, uncle, aunts and elder cousin sister are buried. 

Ganggu 강구 & Okgye valley 옥계

Everyone has his own memories of childhood.  Memories may fade as the years go by, however, they remain in his life as a bunch of faded pictures. In the childhood, had lived in Ganggu 강구 for a few years. Ganggu meaning the entrance of river is a typical fishing harbor located at the eastern coastline of the peninsular. Actually the river named Osipcheon 오십천 flows through Ganggu. 

This harbor village has seen lots of changes since the eastern highway from Pohang 포항 to Samcheok 삼척 got fully paved in 1979.  Since then, the tourism has grown steadily, thanks to the increase in demand for high quality seafood and travel opportunities. Most Koreans often picture the image of snow crab 대게 when they think of Ganggu. 

Have already planned to cycle around Ganggu, Okgye valley 옥계 and Yeoungdeok 영덕 since last summer. Drove to the township office of Ganggu this past October and started cycling toward Okgye valley in the west. In order to come Okgye valley from Ganggu, you should cross a mountain pass and reach the junction where three roads diverge; one is for Dalsan 달산 and Yeoungdeok in the north, the other Okgye valley in the south.

Turned on the right to approach Juwangsan national park 주왕산 국립공원 in Cheongsong 청송 county via Dalsan. On the way to the mountain top pass, a typical rural scenery attracts a cyclist along the road. There is a gradual ascent to the foot of the mountain and then the road sharply drops off into a steep slope that is a leisurely zig zag road up to the ridge. The first bit of relief from the steady uphill climb comes from the halfway up the mountain. The road sign stands on the top mountain pass where you can take a rest. There is a steep descent with no curb to the village below. Experienced a different kind of dangerous downhill thrill as the road was not in favorable conditions for cycling.

One of the famous local specialties in this region is apple, whose orchards are easily seen from the road. Peach orchards are also found. Then, apple picking season was in full swing. A villager offered a cyclist passing by to try some apples when he stopped taking pictures for a moment. They were golden apples being picked on that day.

Okgye valley is a famous tourist attraction in summer. The RV camping site and campground are spotted more often along the trail near the valley. This valley used to be the end of the dusty road from Yeoungdeok 영덕 and then it was not tourist spot at all. Only a few people knew the value of Okgye valley and enjoyed the nature and scenic landscape. People believe nature has a healing power. That's why it is where we come from and we belong. An old pavilion built over 200 years ago sits on the rock, overlooking the valley. On the way back to Ganggu, rode on the road, looking down the river, Osipcheon.