Japanese Gardens again.

We first visited the Japanese Gardens in Hayward Thanksgiving 2013.  We went back in January 2014 to see the seasonal changes, and last week we returned again.  I have pictures from all three visits to show the beauty of the gardens and why the garden pulls us back over and over.

This is from November 2013.  Marty and my brother are just entering the gardens.  The fall colors are the stars.

This was taken January 2014.  Notice the Fall colors are gone and there are trees budding out in blooms and tender spring green leaves.

This picture and the rest below were taken March 2014.  More trees are green and or have blooms.

One of the many types of Maple trees in the gardens.

Camellias

Another Maple beside a Tulip Tree

A Tulip Tree with buds, new blooms, dying blooms, and green leaves

 Cherry blossoms

Maple tree with seed pods developing

This Maple tree starts with pinky purple leaves which turn green later.

Our favorite Maple tree, maybe the favorite of all trees in the garden.

Outside the gardens as we walked to the car.

We did not do the whole park this time.  We arrived around 4:00 and walked for 30 minutes.  Then two park rangers told us the park was closed.  Most parks around the Bay Area close at sundown. So we were a little surprised.  They had cleared the part of the park we hadn't walked in, so we had to backtrack.  With the rangers behind us and other park walkers.  Now what we found funny was . . .

The truck in front of Marty is the Rangers' truck.  And it was running.  I consider that a huge waste of our tax money.  After they got in the truck they sat there until we all left.  Just Wrong!

Two Months later, Japanese Gardens

Thanksgiving Week we went to the Hayward Japanese Gardens.  I wrote a blog about our trip, read it here.  We were blown away with the beauty of the gardens and promised ourselves that we would return every couple of month to see the seasonal changes.  In November we had bright fall leaves.  Yesterday we returned and the leaves were brown or had fallen.  Also with the crazy hot weather we have had, spring has sprung.  Trees and bushes have started to bloom.  They are about a month early.

At the Koi pond turtles were sunning on rocks and the pagoda. 

 

 

The waterfall and more turtles swimming and sunning.  Notice the brown leaves toward top right.  In November these were red.

 

 

The Koi swimming from shade into the sun.  The smallest are at least a foot long.  I was terrified I would drop my phone in the pond as I hung over the railing to take pictures.  I didn't.

 

 

Little vinca were peeping through the grasses.

 

 

This reflection just blows me away.  Gorgeous.

 

 

More turtles.

 

 

Camellias starting to bloom.

 

More camellias.  Both of these groups of bushes were too far off the path to get close ups.

 

 

Marty enjoying our walk through the gardens.

 

 

An apple tree blooming weeks too early.

 



 

The beauty and serenity of the gardens are awesome.   It is a lovely place to spend an hour or two.  We plan to return in a couple of months and see what is blooming then. 

 

 

Who Knew?

Tuesday we went to the Hayward Japanese Gardens.  We had heard they were lovely.  The gardens are close to home and free, sounded good to us.  The gardens are in the middle of a residential area, originally a high school was there.  When it was torn down the Japanese Gardens were born. 

 

I took 85 pictures, don’t worry I am not posting that many.  I just want to give a feel of the beauty of this hidden gem.  We plan to go on a regular basis to see the seasonal changes. 

 

The red and yellow are leaves showing their Fall colors.

                                             

Walking through the garden is so peaceful. 

                                              

This pool of water had huge Koi, they were well over a foot  long.

Lots of little “Tea Houses”.   Weddings are held in them often.

Little bridges that reflect over the water. 

 

So calm and peaceful.

                                                       

 

We just felt happy walking through the garden.

Marty and Ann

Even with no leaves (tree on the right) trees have a lovely look.  Marty and Hank looking.

                                       

More Fall Colors

This is such a hidden gem.  If you live anywhere in the Bay Area, well worth the drive.