UW's cherry blossoms usher in the start of Spring

Flowers blooming, warmer temperatures, and the start of longer days signify the beginning of Spring. A group of trees attracting attention from hundreds if not thousands of people each year in the Pacific Northwest are the Yoshino cherry trees on the quad at the University of Washington. This weekend they were blooming at 100%. It's a magnificent sight.


On Saturday Jeff and I ventured to UW's Seattle campus to take in this much talked about and photographed event. I missed it last year but I was bound and determined to see them this year.

As expected traffic was heavy so Jeff dropped me off near the quad while he looked for a place to park. Turns out it was the perfect spot. As soon as I rounded the corner and stepped into an open space there were more than a dozen trees lined alongside several buildings.

I paused.

Wow.

I stood still taking it all in.

Pictures don’t do them justice.

They are beautiful and statuesque. It’s peaceful to be in their midst, even while being surrounded by a crowd of people. According to the university the Yoshino cherry trees are more than 80 years old.

To get a picture of all of them I took a few panoramic shots. For about thirty minutes I strolled through the quad taking it all in.

The one view I wanted was from above. Luckily one of the buildings on the quad was open.

Score.

Open classroom on the third floor with open windows facing the quad?

Hole in one. *fist pump*

From watching children trying to catch the falling light pink blossoms, to a couple spending time with each other on a blanket, I enjoyed people watching. I couldn’t help but notice everyone else taking pictures of themselves, family members, and children with the trees.

Our trip to see the cherry blossoms was the perfect way to start Spring. It's a sight worth going to see year after year.

Jeff and I.

“In the cherry blossoms shade there's no such thing as a stranger.” -Kobayashi Issa