이번엔 산 말고 바다에서 캠핑…고성 자작도 해변서 야호~

On July 25th of last month, the family that had moved from Seoul to Sejong City arrived at the Jukwang-myeon's Jukdo Beach in Gangwon-do's Goseong-gun after a 5-hour drive. The heavy rain that had been pouring non-stop for a week finally stopped on what would become a Sunday with an appealing sky and a promise of sunshine. The reason for seeking out this coastal destination stemmed from a book they had recently read, 'Quiet Journey' (a book to be read), where the author had first encountered the name 'Juhwa Beach'.

The author, after admitting to fearing the loss of such a unique place, pondered how it had remained hidden for so long. This lingering desire for Juhwa Beach had been a part of their hearts for quite some time. Having grown up in Seoul and living in Sejong City with their spouse for over 30 years, they had been able to easily explore various regions of the country.

However, for some reason, Gangwon-do had always felt difficult to reach, being surrounded by a constant stream of traffic from the metropolitan area. The inconvenience of navigating through the city's congestion was a challenge that was hard to overcome. Therefore, this trip to Gangwon-do, venturing into the northeastern part of the country, felt like finally fulfilling a long-held dream.

Upon arriving at the Jukdo Camping Site, which was operated by the villagers from Goseong-gun, the family found themselves on the outer side of the sandy beach, slightly further from the water. The scorching weather of 30 degrees Celsius brought out the laughter of their five children as they gathered to set up their tents and tarps.

"Mom! Dad! Let's go to our sea! The sea!" The wide stretch of sand could be easily reached within 2-3 minutes by the children. With the beginning of a busy summer weekend, the bustling beach scene was a stark contrast to their initial expectations. However, unlike their predictions, the waters of Goseong's coastal area remained calm and tranquil.

The gentle waves caressed the shore, and various groups of people, from children playing in the sand to couples snorkeling and surfers riding the waves, contributed to the harmonious atmosphere of the beach. "There's a big rock island over there on the right, and several smaller ones nearby. That's why this area is called Jukdo Beach," said Hanhae Sue (68), the site manager and a resident of Jukwang-myeon.

He pointed to the right-hand side of the beach, explaining that the lower rocks act as a barrier, shielding the open sea from the waves coming from the open ocean, making it a safer and more enjoyable environment for children to play. The family finished their day of beach activities and set up their tents for the evening. They grilled spicy pork slabs, paired with seasoned cabbage and cucumbers, creating a refreshing dish to beat the heat.

Just as the grilled meat was nearing perfection, a light drizzle began to fall, making its way into the tarps above. The children's excited faces lit up as they eagerly anticipated the next adventure.