Sounds perfect for me.
I remain IN!
I’m in rain or shine.
Now, if someone would just tell me where to stand Saturday morning and I would be happy.
Oh, are four legged friends allowed into the area? I see they have a gate - would be happy to know beforehand.
My dog would prefer to roam the big outdoors.
OK guys. I’m out. 
Can’t get a babysitter.
Sorry…
Whoever was going to give me a lift, thanks very much, but I don’t need it now…
…
…
…
…
…ARGHHHHHHHHH!!! :taz: :grrr: 
Bloody fuckin’ fuck-suckin’ fucker fuck!!!
[quote=“Mr He”]Now, if someone would just tell me where to stand Saturday morning and I would be happy.
Oh, are four legged friends allowed into the area? I see they have a gate - would be happy to know beforehand.
My dog would prefer to roam the big outdoors.[/quote]
Dogs arent or should not be allowed in Reserve areas.
With Irish having confirmed that he won’t be able to make it, and if Seeker and his have their own vehicle, you may not need to stop at Xindian to pick anyone up but can just head on directly to the meeting point in Wulai.
If Seeker does need a ride, I’d suggest he waits for you outside the station entrance on the Pei-I (Taipei-Ilan) Road, so you just need to stop for a moment to let him jump in. The same can apply if we hear from anyone else who wants to join us and needs a ride.
Are you clear enough about where we are all meeting? I expect we should all get there between 9:30 and 9:45 – and I will almost certainly be there and waiting bright and early.
[quote=“Mr He”]Oh, are four legged friends allowed into the area? I see they have a gate - would be happy to know beforehand.
My dog would prefer to roam the big outdoors.[/quote]
I can’t recall having seen any sign forbidding people from taking dogs in there, but I also can’t recall having seen any dogs during my last few visits, so it may be that the Forestry Bureau people at the entrance are enforcing a restriction.
vivi stays at home, then.
Poor girl.
[quote=“Chris”]The Index is an excellent idea, Truant!
What is the weather forecast for tomorrow, guys? I hear tell of “heavy rains”…[/quote]
Well, as usual cwb.gov.tw/V4e/index.htm is contradictory. Top is rain at 80%. String of icons showing the weekly weather, for Saturday, says “Partly cloudy becoming cloudy with rains”. Who knows.
I’m hopeful, but don’t really want to walk in the rain most of the day. I just got my first case of athlete’s foot since I arrived (not bad). I wonder if spending all day in wet shoes last week caused it? Anyway, I plan to get out of bed on Sat morning early, check the computer, look out the window, and make some final decision. Pretty high chance that I’ll go if it makes sense at all, cause I want to see what Scott looks like now that he’s a year older!
The weather will be lovely for hiking, no matter whether it rains or not.
OK, Chris and scomargo, 8:30 at Muzha Station. It’s 40-50 minutes to Wulai and we need to stop and get shoes.
OK, looks like the biblical flood might wait until later in the day (knocking on wood), so … I’m going. See you all there.
Good on you, Seeker. See you there.
We just experienced heavy rain here and the clouds look pretty threatening from where we are. I’m also still suffering from a cold (mild, but hiking in the wet won’t improve the situation), so today will be one of the rare days when I decide not to go. So Kitty and I will sit this one out.
Have fun, guys.
[quote=“Mr He”]vivi stays at home, then.
Poor girl.[/quote]
Yes, but I seem to have taken the place of your dog. You somehow convinced me to get up early on my Saturday to accompany you. I hope I’m as worthy a companion as your dog would have been. :scooby:
I certainly did, and I hope the others did too – even though it did turn out to be very wet indeed, with the rain somewhat heavier and more persistent than it was last week. I got soaked to the skin again, and it was a wee bit chilly riding home on my scooter in wet clothes, but I’m glowing with rude health now that I’m warm and dry back in the castle.
[quote=“Toasty”][quote=“Mr He”]vivi stays at home, then.
Poor girl.[/quote] I hope I’m as worthy a companion as your dog would have been. [/quote]
I’m sure you were, Toasty, and I hope we didn’t put you through too painful an ordeal. It was good to meet you and have you along. The foaming legs were also quite an eye-opener – you really must teach me how to do that.
I certainly did, and I hope the others did too – even though it did turn out to be very wet indeed, with the rain somewhat heavier and more persistent than it was last week. I got soaked to the skin again
[/quote]
In that case I’m glad I didn’t come along. My cold turned out to be worse today than it was over the last five days (thankfully I don’t have a sore throat…that’s usually the worst part of a cold). But with my cold and the wet I would have been miserable.
I look forward to hearing tales and anecdotes from this hike!
Despite the rain, I thoroughly enjoyed the hike today and kick myself repeatedly for not ever having visited the heavenly waterfall and swimming hole at Neidong before. Now as Omni says, it is almost impossible to swim here. And yet, this is the second most beautiful swimming hole I’ve seen in Taiwan: the first being the one at the Baiyang Waterfall in Taroko.
Anyway, happy to see you all again. And welcome to newcomer Toasty. Glad you could finally make it out for a hike. Hope it won’t be the last. Next time, please repeat the foaming at the legs trick. It was quite impressive.
Some pics:
The b-day party with floating angels:
The waterfall:
The longest worm in the world:
Kids, just say no to crack:
It was another great hike. Thanks again to Omni for giving Mucha Man a break with the planning. I got some good exercise, enjoyed a nice soak in the hot spring, and had a great dinner. Thanks to all who arranged giving me a birthday Cake, Card, and Champagne. Did you get those at a 3C store? 
It was fantastic to celebrate my birthday with such great company. I enjoyed meeting Mr He and Toasty as well.
Oh, I had a scare when Mucha Man dropped me off at the MRT station. Apparently the bag that my wallet and cell phone were in fell out of the car as I got out, and I didn’t notice it fall. 
Luckily, an honest taxi cab driver turned it in, and I now have it back. I guess I’ll have to refrain from cussing at taxi drivers for a while now while riding my scooter. I really need to stop losing things. Doh!
Anyway, another great hike with a great group of people. Highly enjoyable.
For Omni. Here are some shots of Xiao Wulai Waterfall. The third and fourth shots are of a smaller pool above the falls on a separate stream feeding in. No No Swimming signs on the smaller one, though the larger fall does have them. The last shot is of the Wind Moving Boulder. Quite an astonishing sight.
Thanks for having me along guys. It was a rewarding trip and I had a great time. The climb in the early part of the hike revealed to me how far I’ve slipped in conditioning (it’s been years since I’ve done any serious hiking). No matter. A few more hikes and I’ll get up to speed. Overall, though, it was a nice easy hike to serve as an entry point back into the sport. The hotspring dip and dinner rounded out a great day out.
As for the foamy legs trick, that’s my secret and I’ll never reveal exactly how I did that (one hint however: it might have something to do with getting clothes washed in my “quality Taiwanese washing machine” totally drenched by a constant deluge of rain, but only I’ll know for sure). You’ll have to wait and see what other amazing textile tricks I have in my arsenal for future outings.
:bravo: :bravo: