Cherry Blossoms

Spring has sprung! And how! Before yesterday, I had a dim sort of awareness that there was a reason people started settling in Seattle to begin with, but among all the dark and wet and cold and dark of winter, I couldn't remember exactly what it was. But now... behold!

This is a central green on campus, full of cherry trees. Last time I saw this place it was grey and framed with dreary tree skeletons, and now suddenly... acre upon acre of fluffy beauty. Steve and I went crazy taking pictures of them; I wish I could include all of the pics here, but alas, I don't think they do the real scene justice. Walking under something like this is almost otherworldly in its beauty: you're surrounded by gently waving branches of soft, lacy pink, while falling blossoms swirl around you. Steve says when these trees bloom it's a national holiday in Japan, and boy howdy to I believe it. Whoever conceived of heaven being full of just clouds had clearly not seen cherry trees.


I decided at some point I needed to get up close and personal with one of these, so clambered as gently as a two-footed, boot-wearing creature could into the branches. Steve snapped evidence, and I snapped a closeup.

Amy's been tree-spotting, too -- after getting all excited about these, I ran into her just in time for her to tell me about seeing the most "magically pink" tree! I advised her, of course, to visit the campus asap :) I'm not sure how long these babies last, but I have a feeling it's one of those glimpses of heaven that you have to catch when you can. When Robert Frost said nothing gold can stay, I think he really meant to say pink.