A great way to relax outdoors

We took a quick trip up to the Japanese Gardens earlier this week with one of my new co-workers, Amy. Amy & her boyfriend both have memberships there - so she took Luke & I as her guests. This was my first visit to the gardens (and it most definitely wont be my last). We got extremely lucky & had the place mostly to ourselves, because we went during extended hours on a Friday evening.

The Japanese Gardens are just above downtown, so they're quick & easy to get to. It was a nice & peaceful escape from the hustle & bustle of the city & a long week at work. I am now left to wonder why I don't escape more often from my busy life. There is nothing better than taking some time out to relax in such a beautiful environment. Living in the NW, I have no excuse not to do this more often :)

{This last pictures is my favorite. It always amazes me how colors just naturally work so well together in nature. Especially flowers. In nature, colors always compliment each other flawlessly.}