They are long gone now, but worth remembering.
At the waterfront in Portland is a section filled with cherry trees. I have posted about them before. Wikipedia says that “The area has 100 ‘Akebono’ variety trees donated by Japanese businessmen in 1990 who were members of the Japanese Grain Traders Import Association and worked in local offices.” I am dubious that there are 100 trees, but that does not take away from their spectacular beauty.
The Japanese American Historical Plaza contains not only trees, but also dedications to the memory of the sad US history of Japanese internments, which I talked about in more detail in a previous post from 2023. There is a brick-paved section and multiple monuments from different artists.
On this visit, I joined the ranks of people with fancy cameras and magnificent lenses, who climbed the stairs of Steel Bridge, and flanked the pedestrian walk. This is a good place to see what’s really happening at the waterfront.
From the bridge, the views were excellent.
I enjoyed seeing so many people out. Many of them dress in pink, or in clothes with flowers on them. Many are there to take special photos. There were women and girls in fancy gowns, children in their best clothes, families, grandparents, graduates, couples, and so many PETS having their portraits done under the pink blossoms.
More than the photos, I love the picnics. Despite the chilly weather and grey skies, there were many groups there just to have a picnic. Obviously there were families making a low-cost fun day of it. But even more were the friends, co-workers possibly, book clubs or art co-ops maybe, ha ha! Blankets spread out, fabulous pink and flower clothes and scarves and umbrellas, with salads and roast chicken passed around on decorative paper plates, and wine in plastic cups . People all laughing and relaxed and talking with great animation (probably to keep their blood flowing and warm them up).
I didn’t get any good photos of the picnics or the pets, but trust me they were heart-warming.
Conscious Engagement 
Wow! What a lovely display! Our cherry trees have yet to pop, but soon!
We hit the eighties today, which is very unusual for this time of year. This time of year in New England, it’s time for the littler “ephemeral” flowers like Trout Lily and bloodroot. The flashier stuff comes later.
I love the ephemeral flowers so much. The early spring brings these out and give me hope that I will make it out of winter! Here, we have Trillium blooming everywhere right now. Is that a flower found in Maine? I am not familiar with Trout Lily or bloodroot.
Trillium is native to New England also. I have one. It is very hard to establish, but I am hoping that the one multiplies.
I will hope with you.
A splendid celebratory record
Thank you, Derrick. Flowering trees make my spirits soar. I am a fan of the colour pink on trees. I discovered one for the first time this year that I intend to plant in our front yard eventually. It is called a Star Magnolia – which I am familiar with – but this year I spotted one in PINK, and now I am obsessed. There is an apple tree directly out my office window, and I like the blossoms there too: mostly white but with pink highlights.
Lovely! Right now, the Dogwoods and Redbuds are in bloom … although the crazy weather this spring has killed many. As I look out the window, as I type this, I can see pink blooms on the one Dogwood in my yard that is not white.
I’ll be flying into your Portland Aiport this coming October for a women’s gathering (not sure where; 2 hours from the airport). I’ll give you some heads up when I figure things out.
Laurie! Laurie! What a marvelous thing to write: you are coming!! At first I was going to comment that it is such a delight for me when I see a comment from you. I know your days are full and you don’t get to spend the time on blogs that you used to. But what a gift to know you will be in the area in October! There are lots of fabulous places 2 hours from the airport, so I won’t even try to guess for you. The ocean, the mountains, rivers, rainforest, desert, city and country 🙂 Do let me know. I am retired, so I can meet you where you are when you get a free moment.
Magical!
Thank you, Rosaliene. One thing I love the most during the cherry blossom time is standing beneath them when a wind picks up and loosens pink petals to fall in a shower all over our shoulders. Now that is magical.
🙂 ❤
The post title was a great one – and left one wondering what recollections in pink – and then you delivered such beauty in blossoms and with “People all laughing and relaxed and talking with great animation…”
Also, I loved all of the down views – and side and across views – of the blooming trees – especially the ones with the bridges, light posts, etc. Enjoyed recollecting in pink with you via this post. We have seen the blossoms bloom in the DC area a couple of times… and it sure is a nice Japanese connection – and I also liked see the flower clothing items.
You know, Yvette, I have the DC blossoms on my bucket list. I want so much to be there for them one day. I like that you connected our experience here on the West coast with that on the East coast. We are all one wonderful country with things in common and all of it with a nuanced relationship with Japan, too. I appreciate being reminded of our common experiences and common good.
we used to live 90 minutes from DC and in hind sight, I wish we went there more.
And cheers to the East Coast – West Coast connections!
xxx🙂