The Happiest Place

Showered by the beauty of spring!

The STATE CAPITOL STATE PARK is a hidden gem nestled in the downtown area of Salem Oregon. It’s the largest urban state park in Oregon and is an inspiring place to visit this time of year. Each spring the park is host to a cherry blossom festival which happens over several weeks in March while the trees are in bloom.

In Japan, the cherry blossoms are known as SAKURA and the nighttime viewing of the trees is known as YOZAKURA. To view the trees at night is a traditional way to immerse yourself in the fleeting beauty of the sakura blossoms. It’s magical to experience clouds of pink petals blow by and watch the children play in them!

JAPANESE LANTERNS are hung overhead to illuminate the walkways and trees at night and provide a special ambience in the park. There were many families, couples and even a photography group assisting to enhance the experience. The golden statue at the top of the capitol is a stunning backdrop for photographers.

The CAPITOL CALLIGRAPHERS were sharing their art by providing handmade calligraphed poems displayed hanging in the trees. Formed in 1977, the group promotes the art of calligraphy and their poems are known as WEATHERGRAMS. The poems are written by hand on kraft paper cut from paper bags and later collected by birds for their nest building as the weathergrams disintegrate out of doors. Visitors were allowed to take one home with them as a special memorabilia.

A musical performance of SAMAZAMA (a Koto/Cello Duo) will perform on Saturday March 30th. This is a collaboration of the Koto (a traditional Japanese musical instrument) played by Masumi Timson with a Cello played by Joseph Harchanko. The blend of Eastern and Western cultures will be a unique musical performance to attend. Here’s a link if you’d like to find out more.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate or you’re unable to visit the park for some reason the SAKURA may be viewed from home. Here’s a link to view it livestream. The nighttime experience is exceptional and I highly recommend a visit!

And heads up! In case you were hoping to tour the capitol when visiting it’s currently undergoing a massive construction project, so tours of the building have been suspended for this year. However you can plan a tour of it for next year.

Wishing you a happy spring!

~ Linda

Sakura, sakura

they fall in the dreams

of sleeping beauty

- Haiku by Yosa Buson