The old are wise, aren't they?

Well, up to a certain generation. I'm not sure if my generation or those after are going to grow wise haha. I guess time will tell.

I don't know the specific species but I beleive it was a salamander; smooth skin, near water, legs (there are legless lizards that aren't snakes, oddly enough - I'm sure you know)

This actually sounds like quite an adventure

Yeah for sure, it did remind me that I used to do this stuff all the time, every week back when I was in Korea since mountains were just casually dotted on street corners. Good times!