Japanese Tea Gardens

So one of my favorite places to take people when they visit are the Japanese Tea Gardens at Golden Gate Park. There is something about the serenity that fascinates me. It's incredible to think that just inside the walls the hustle and bustle of the city are forgotten. This is my favorite time of the year as Spring is bringing new blossoms to life and the colors are more vibrant than one can imagine.

Over the past couple months I've had some great friends come into town for a week's stay each. Our first visitor, Maren, is one of my best friends from college and she's become quite the live-in addition to Dallas and I's apartment. I can honestly say that I would give just about anything to convince her to move in permanently!! But since her life isn't going to lead her to the Bay Area for work, I decided I had better get my Maren fix as long as I can.

My other two visitors, Janelle and Jason, have become family over the years, after teaching at the same school in Provo together. They flew out for their spring break and I took them to the Gardens for a picnic and an impromptu photo session. Jason has the most incredible camera and has totally inspired me to take up photography! We'll see if I can raise the funds for the hardware...

Here are some of my favorite shots from both of my trips to the Japanese Tea Gardens this spring...

I'm never quite sure how I can get my face to form such interesting facial expressions. I guess it's just one of those hidden talents!

If you haven't gotten the chance to visit Golden Gate Park, do so, but try to go in the spring when the blossoms are all emerging. It's gorgeous!