Tag Archives: Fall

Back to the Kubota Japanese Garden

2020 isn’t over yet as we we have one last month, and a stressful for many holiday season to go.

Meanwhile, I have the perfect place to wind down for those in the Seattle area, to decompress outside and away, socially distant and pandemic-mindful. That is the Kubota Garden park in the Rainer Beach area.

The Kubota Garden is one of the few curated Japanese gardens, with much greenery and sights reminiscent of the timeless natural scenic beauty of Japan. It’s free to enter, but with current pandemic restrictions (no big gatherings!).

I’ve written more about this place before, of which you can read here.

But for now, here are some pictures I took from a recent visit. For location and more information, click here.

– Orion T

Pictures of the Fall 2016, Leaves Away and Soon Gone..

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My favorite part of the Fall is the scatter of leaves. They bring a sense of serenity in the midst of changing weather, with new winds and storms ushering the cold ahead. There can be a bit of melancholy about them when you apply character. They had their run and now must rest until there is wither and end. But first, take in the beauty of the loveliness shown with the sort of lush greenery and return to nature brought, especially in the cityscapes of which I often pass through.

They add to the quiet, and for some also the loneliness of mundane life. You can become part of it, and be still. Let it all sink in, and watch as more leaves gather. Especially on a Sunday, the simplicity of it all brings serenity before the usual workweek schedule takes over.

Like many wonderful things, there will be an eventual end. Fall to me can be warmer than spring to the emotional spirit feeling loneliness within. The leaves make good friends when my feet are among them until taken away by landscapers with their leaf blowers machines and crude metal rakes, or withered by time; hard to decide which is the crueler. The trees above will be stripped to face the coming cold, naked and silent until the rescue of spring next year. I shall empathize with them until then. But for now, I shall take more walks and love the Fall moments while they last…

– Orion T

Pictures above and below, taken at the Jim Ellis Freeway Park in Downtown Seattle, by me in the early November at different days and times…

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Picture of Today 9/23/16, Gloominess..

Happy Friday, they said..

Well, after a week of mostly sunny weather we find that at its end, along with an okay summer. The gloom is now here, along with the winds and the chills. I’m all right with this, as I feel this will be the sure sign that Fall has arrived. Get used to it, as the nights will come earlier. With that, I wil catch up to some reading and writing. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 11/1/15, The New November

 
Just a beautiful moment in a small city park (Denny Park in Seattle)…

This day is Sunday, and after Halloween. Also, overnight rain happened of which the Pacific lands need. The amounts did not overwhelm, yet were sufficient for the more leaves to fall. The time change also added to this new November, bringing the darkness in a little earlier. Add the notably colder temperatures, and I feelthe difference in this Fall season turning point. 

I look forward.

Picture of Today 12/6/14, Through Sculpture Park.

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Through Sculpture Park, in Seattle.

Here, was good for the later afternoon before the early dark (around 3:00 pm). The temperature was a tolerable 49 degrees with no threats of rain. The cold wind picked up a little and distressed my face, so motioning on was the best activity.

Pictures of Today 11/29/14.. of Snowy Awakenings.

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As I expected the usual to follow, I slept a longer on the night before. In the morning, I rested in bed for an hour longer; using my layers of blankets as a turtle shell. I procrastinate even further, prolonging my morning intake of granola and hot apple cider. My apartment window gives little clue to the world outside, as it faces too close to an emotionless brick wall. I suspected nothing, but a normal day. I wait, with holding onto my unexpectations.

Yet eventually, I would go for the great morning walk. And then, surprise… snow and cold winds overwhelm my senses as I leave the building entrance. And suddenly, there was laughter in the distance of children running in the distance. The bluest of skies, missed from the days of conquering greys. I see these remnants of a snowy wonderland, with the city gardenscapes and roofs of unmoved vehicles saving the last largest clusters of snowfall. I felt bewildered, and unadjusting to this sudden drop in temperature. I ask to the neighbor standing aside, puffing on a cigarette, “how long and how much did I miss this?!”

“All night, and some this morning..”

Heh, was all I thought. Not so much the disappoint as I rarely see snow; but I feel a sort of sureness of what world I would wake up to. The morning was almost gone, and snowfall clearly ended. But thankfully, there was much of it still around for me to take a very long and worthwhile walk.

The color of leaves and sudden rush of sunlight brought uniqueness to this morning. The snow was just enough for nature to peek through in places, bringing the a heightened ambiance and surreality to what I find otherwise usual and expected; yet peaceful and adaptive.

So, I am happy to catch this time and place..perhaps the most important potentially missed should I have stayed inside further on. Here are some moments to pass on, in thanks to this world for waiting up..

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Picture of Today 10/26/14

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Sam Squirrel decided now was not the time for action. Deadly agents of C.R.O.W. were passing through this Leafland territory, unaware of our dashing hero. What could be one, would be more close by..

Now is the time for stealth.

Scattered Fall..

(travelingorion.wordpress.com)

Every weather season holds wondrous splendor, especially this Fall for the great Seattle city.

After the periodic rough winds and sporadic showers, walk into the biting cold and see for yourself. Ignore the expanse of construction and busy commute hustles, and appreciate the best, fresh signs of natural change.

Here, the fallen leaves of many trees scatter throughout the Emerald City. In some clusters, the concrete loses its dominance. Curbsides are confused as division becomes lost in the rivers of greens and browns and reds and yellows. Benches and tables become hosts to new fallen travelers. We invite those on the ground to stay with every step, kicking others to the next for moments longer.

Here above and below, is a special concrete open spot near the Space Needle before a statue of Chief Seattle. Around is the convergence of 5th, Cedar, and Denny streets with the near overhead tramway connecting the Seattle Center (and Needle above) to the Westlake Center of Downtown. Also, the best spot for an afternoon munch, at the 5 Point Café (happy hour 4-6 weekdays).

Also a sometimes resting place for leaves..

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Overall, peaceful for busy Seattle life. The leaves are a special touch and reminder of the best appreciation for passing in the Fall. Never mind the nightfall now approaching 4pm time (sunsets are still killer) and a distraction from the moving gray skies  Just enjoy the leaves when here, at least before the street cleaners spoil the fun.

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Enjoy, and appreciate this natural cycle of nature. Or even better, walk around and explore what changed. I hear Pioneer Square is amazing, as I will eventually venture to on a promised morning. I wonder about certain favorite places in this grand area, thinking of a good time for a visit to Kobe Terrace in the near future. Here below, is the walkway through the Seattle Center near the great Needle on a recent day of blue skies above.

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All pictures taken and posted by Orion Tippens, for travelingorion.wordpress.com.