Single cherry blossoms in Gotanda 2024

Hi there. Though I'm still in the middle of writing about my stay in Michigan, let me upload this year's cherry blossoms in my town.

The cherry trees all over Japan burst into boom. We got lucky with great weather to admire them in full bloom on the weekend. I'm walking towards Osaki area from Gotanda area.

Those pale pink blossoms bloom all at once and fall all at once quickly, which is making them even more aesthetically impressive in our heart. Delicate...fleeting... The beauty is transient.  

Rows of cherry trees as if covering Meguro River. Cherry trees are luxuriously alongside Meguro River that runs through a number of wards. Pale petals are scattering in the wind, on the river... They create a dreamy scene.

Osaki is a primarily commercial district in the northern part of Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It has already completed several urban renewal projects.

Then, let me show you a road along the river. It is one side of the road between Osaki and Gotanda.

Petals in elegant subtle shades of pink are beautiful both in the way of blooming, and in the way of fluttering in the air to the ground. I think cherry blossoms are hearts of Japanese people.

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The following pictures are taken another day.

This spot of Meguro River is between Gotanda and Nakameguro. Skyscraper condominiums in the middle over there are in Osaki. The massive building on the left side is HOTEL GAJOEN TOKYO.

Every year, the weather tends to be unfortunate during cherry blossom season. It rains hard, or a strong wind blows while it's gonna bloom soon and until cherry petals start dropping almost as soon as they've opened. 

When I thought "I wish I could share this best time to look at cherry blossoms in my town with Collie." while walking, a Border Collie turned up. He's quite handsome. |o| 

Cherry blossoms are regarded as an iconic flower of Japan. I hope you enjoyed my post!

May cherry blossom petals fall gently on you...  Rose

Let's enjoy Papa Joe's Gourmet Foods on the balcony！

Getting back to Royal Park Hotel Rochester, we, rather I..😁 with alacrity, willingly, put and prepared foods & drinks from Papa Joe's Rochester on the table. 

The balcony in the twilight is very pleasant. 

As for salads, Collie's is the simple one in the back, and Rose's is the one that contains various ingredients in the front. A chicken cutlet is for Collie, and chicken salad wraps are for Rose. 

Collie drinks lovely pink one, and I drink BUD LIGHT!

It's still dimly light even before 8 p.m.

This is the third day of my stay at the hotel. Collie joined in from the evening of the second day. I think it was a wonderful way to spend our time together for the last night here.

From the balcony, we saw fire like a campfire on the ground. we stepped out of the hotel after the sun went down completely. It was also nice to hang around on the premises at the last night.    

To be continued...

Mesmerizing Cake Products at Papa Joe's Rochester, Michigan

Probably any Michigander knows this gourmet supermarket. We found Papa Joe's in Rochester! And it was the first time even for him to check out the Rochester one. Papa Joe's Rochester is one of the flagship, full-service locations. Coming inside, I was directly drawn to the patisserie section! Not sure where Collie was in the supermarket while I was engrossed in cakes...😅

I was mesmerized by the abundance of Cake Products at Papa Joe's❤

FREEDOM SCONES. Such a dignified name! The scones are straight from the kitchen of their executive pastry chefs. Papa Joe's - the art of fine food.👏

❤❤❤ RED VELVET CAKE ❤❤❤

STRAWBERRY HEAVEN BUNDT CAKE

CINNAMON WALNUT COFFEE CAKE

RASPBERRY CREAM CAKE and more

Bagels, too♪  This is VERY BERRY BAGEL😊

Cakes with fresh cream are dreamy...💕

CHERRY CREAM CAKE.  Dynamic cuties😘

At the deli section, we bought salads & cooked meat for our dinner. We decided having Papa Joe's Foods at the balcony of Royal Park Hotel this evening. Don't miss the next episode! 

👉 a fun video of those Cake Products

I hope you enjoyed the photos & videos of Cake Products from Papa Joe's in Rochester. I didn't buy them this time, but it's a secret dream to have the RED VELVET CAKE down the road.

Happy Easter to you, Rose

A tiny little bird in Rochester Municipal Park in Michigan

Then, we came to Rochester Municipal Park for a walk and chillout. We didn't walk very far. After walking for a while, we turned back and rested on a bench in the shade of the tree.

The Municipal Park is literally a place of play for Rochester residents, over a mile of paved walkway with winding creek, pond as well as courts for tennis and volleyball. About 88 years ago, Rochester residents dedicated a new recreation spot on Paint Creek. Built on the site of a bankrupt dairy farm and a long-abandoned millrace, Avon Park －now called Rochester Municipal Park－ quickly became a favorite place for local residents to play, relax, and picnic etc.

Before finding a bench we sat, I saw a little something that moved small on the ground under the tree. It was a baby bird! It must have been fallen from the nest... I was so worried, but I knew I shouldn't move the little one.

Collie says, if we are nearby, parents birds cannot come to feed the baby bird. So we moved from the place. We sat on the bench, feeling the beauty of the green and gentle warm air in June.

It was not long before we noticed boys started a ball game around the place where a baby bird was on the ground. "I will tell them." Collie stood up and walked to the boys to tell them that there was a baby bird that fell out of the nest near the place they were playing. The boys honestly understood. They moved away from their playground immediately and resumed their play. 

I wondered, how many people in the world can act like him for a tiny little bird? I live far away in Japan. We have been in a long distance relationship for a very long time. However, his act like this is probably the reason why I continue to be attracted by him.

Rochester Municipal Park

400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307, United States

Rochester Municipal Park is a place I want to visit every time I come to Downtown Rochester. There is a lot of charming cafes and restaurants in the downtown, and this park is also in my heart not only when I am in Michigan, but also when I live in Japan. 

I wish you all a wonderful week, Rose