I have to enjoy these fresh blossoms while they last…
And, the best place for the grandest trees in Seattle, are foremost at the Quad in the University of Washington. Here, a grand gathering of cheery cherry trees stand tall in top bloom through this week. Nearly every year, I take time out to enjoy the awesome view. But this year, it seem many were present to share in their glory.
Still worth seeing, and sharing!
The new spring season has finally arrived, and its new atmosphere feels absolutely great.
Slightly warmer weather, a time change giving more light to our evenings, more outside sports actions, and very notably come the fresh blooms.
My favorite visuals of this new season are the many cherry trees adorn with their brightest blooms, of which I have wrote about many times, and did a little video last year.. Yet, I can never express enough the wonders and atmosphere these sakuras bring at such a perfect time. I am often drawn to them. My imagination is brought to visions where I will someday witness see their grandest display in the Land of the Rising Sun.
But for now, I shall continue to appreciate this annual natural tradition, well appreciated in the PNW where cherry blossoms are plenty. Cherry blossom festivals are coming, with a new one this weekend at the University of Washington. I may check that out.
But if you see a cherry tree or grove, stop and enjoy what’s freshly given in the narrow time seen. Look close, and appreciate every branch, every petal whether resilient or loosely falling. Then get lost in the overall picture…
– Orion T
I have finally let myself be immersed in the glory that is the spring season of the Pacific Northwest.
I feel a bit late to the party, but also just in time for some fresh blooms. Cherry blossoms are around in Seattle, for about a good few weeks to appreciate, then on to other spring blooms. But for now, I must walk, and peek, and listen, and study, and breathe in the light breezy air between the many trees around. I see many are gaining new leaves after losing so many to the long, harsh and lonely winter.
For now, back to the blossoms, look!!
Each one of the countless, can be appreciated. More of this, soon!
The above pictures are from a recent visit to a favorite little park by a very noisy freeway…Kobe Terrace park in the International District of Seattle. I have shared about it on travelingorion.com more, on a snowy day, after a snowy day, and other days of spring blossom renewal. This time, I did something a little different, which I plan to share here soon.
Orion T
“And so the spring buds burst, and so I gaze,
And so the blossoms fall, and so my days …”
– Uejima Onitsura, Japanese haiku poet of the Edo period, 1660-1738)
The above picture was during a recent rush to work in downtown Seattle. This flurry of loosened cherry blossoms, as I admired the surreality. They would almost fall to the ground, then scatter down the street in random directions, never to be seen again.
– Orion T
“The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.”
– Homaro Cantu, famous American chef and inventor.
Pictures taken at Freeway Park, behind the Convention Center in Downtown Seattle. The scattered blossoms were from the previous days of heavy wind and rainfall.
– Orion T
Pictures and notes by Traveling Orion, (Orion Tippens). For external use for public use, please contact and obtain permission first.
Ah..another lovely weekend past, to enjoy while it lasts.
From what I hear, these many early blooming Cherry Blossom trees throughout the Seattle are almost at their peak. By the end of April, I think their pedaled spender will be a pleasant memory, until next year. I lived in Seattle for a few years now, and this is the best I have seen of them. I think the reason is the lacking of shaky weather, so far in 2015.
The pictures above and below, are from the Kobe Terrace Park (and adjacent community garden), near the very noisy 5 freeway in the International District of Seattle. The white Cherry Tree blossoms are mostly in the park itself (high on a hill overlooking the areas south of the Downtown area), a nice place to rest and relax. I recommend headphones emitting soft music, to cancel out the near freeway noise. The green and white trees with other shrubbery, are in the Danny Woo Community Gardens next door (a crooked pathway down from the park).
Enjoy these pics below. I hope to return here when the blossoms shed. That will be a sight.
Wow, Kobe Terrace Park.
Seek this beautiful yet small park in Seattle, especially in the Spring. Find Kobe Terrace Park, northeast of the International District. Go east, uphill on Washington street and past 6th, before the freeway. This small public paradise awaits you, covered with cherry blossom trees and small shrubbery.
All this on a hill, perfect for a nice stroll. Also, some well-placed benches, perfect for reading. You may notice a pleasant, distant overview of Seattle’s somewhat droll southeast region. But cares may not happen, as the enveloping surrounding nature and peacefulness will be all the matters for the restful mind.
I was here twice last week, with business nearby. First on Sunday, during the bright sunny weather. And then again on Friday, after some rain and heavy winds. The place was beautiful, but on two different frequencies. In between, a transformation happened.
I took pics on both visits. Below are some raw, unedited pics from my outdated cellphone.The first set is from my afternoon visit on Sunday evening, March 31, 2013. The weather was warm, sunny. The blossoms are near full, amazing:
The next set is from my visit after some rain and wind, the following Friday. The weather is now cold, wind and cloudy above. What was in the sky, is on the ground. Imagine, with each gust of new wind, blossoms fluttering to the ground. I imagine much of Japan like this, but on a grand scale. Someday, I hope to set foot in that far land of the Rising Sun. But for now, Seattle will do:
That’s all for now.
TRAVELING ORION 