Friday, June 29, 2012

Summer so far: semi-nomad

Leaving Princeton
Returning to Princeton
To acknowledge yesterday's milestone U.S. Supreme Court decision and my semi-nomad work travels (alas, not as fun as vacation travel!), here's a 2-for-1 glimpse: Princeton (briefly) + Washington, DC (burning at 108°F/42°C), on a recent work trip...
DC bikeshare
DC firemen care: 13th and L St. firehouse
(All iPhone shots - cameras are unwelcome in work settings, but not iPhones!)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Quiet moment

At the Theological Seminary, another academic institute alongside Einstein's old workplace and Princeton University. This town may have more schools than traffic lights.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Where's my bike?

Major mode of local transportation. This was relaxed, off-peak hours -- when there was ample "parking" (rush hour is another story).

Monday, June 25, 2012

For record lovers

Where have all the record stores gone? Princeton Record Exchange (here, a rainy night refuge) boasts 160,000 titles and customers from Scotland and Japan, but seems a dying breed.

(Still figuring out how to take fluorescent light shots with a point and shoot, sigh).

Friday, June 22, 2012

"Fossil tree"

Dawn redwood, Prospect House.
"Before 1942, when the dawn redwood was discovered growing halfway up the Yangtse River, this species had been known only from fossil specimens and was thought extinct."  
--From The Trees of Princeton 



Thursday, June 21, 2012

Touch of color

Not sure what they're called, but these berries add a cheery touch to summer - which is officially here!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Mingling past and present

Springdale golf course is popular with golfers and sunbathers. But in 1777, British troops fleeing George Washington's men at Princeton Battlefield passed through here, where there was another skirmish. Can you imagine British and American troops clashing here? 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Fading beauty

Pale roses in Palmer Square (our tiny "downtown") are going going gone. Summer blooms just don't last!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Lazy afternoon

Princeton is so close to New York City and Philadelphia, Princetonians spend a lot of time in both places for work and fun. I'm guilty of the same. This was a lazy afternoon eating tapas at Amada in Philadelphia. 
(Instagram shot).

Friday, June 15, 2012

Framing

Oval with Points, by celebrated sculptor Henry Moore. Children love climbing the sculpture, hence the worn curves.  

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Ivy at an Ivy League

This post mysteriously disappeared, but is back now. Built in 1754, Nassau Hall survived Revolutionary War cannonballs -- including one that flew through a window and "decapitated" King George's portrait -- and now houses the Princeton University president's office.  

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Dinky train

The "Dinky" is the shortest U.S. rail route, but its riders have included giants: Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson, and John Nash, the mathematician in A Beautiful Mind, who I've seen still riding it.
(Instagram shot).
***
(Stuff of legends: In 1963, 4 Princeton University students parked a car across the Dinky line and rode up to the blocked train with rented horses, masks, and blank pistols firing -- John Wayne style! They "kidnapped" their "victims" (dates), then galloped off to watch Bo Diddley perform live nearby. The train conductor became the only victim of a railway robbery in the U.S. since 1923). 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

In bloom

Early summer rhododendrons exploded everywhere, then seemed to vanish overnight.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Nature's bounty

At our seasonal farmers market. New Jersey is the "Garden State" (despite its industrial reputation!), and you'll find many working farms a quick 5-20 minute drive from Princeton.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Portraits

From Princeton Reunions: A quietly stylish gentleman (to balance yesterday's loud tones)... 


A sweet hat and giant earring (thanks to this lovely lady for posing)!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Parade

Each year, Princeton alumni go mad over reunions, culminating in the "P-rade." Here are glimpses of P-rade madness, if you'd like to see (I got swept up and went mad taking photos)...


Tiger (school mascot) tones...

Kilts...

Tiger dogs...


Loudest jackets ever...

Carnival!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Reunions

While the world focused on Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, here 20,000 Princeton University alumni descended for another festival, class reunions. There's several days of reveling, drinking, and academic buildings transformed into party central (that gate is not usually there, nor is that faux railroad sign reading front-to-back "Clear the track. '67's back!"). 

Friday, June 1, 2012

June theme day: Tranquility



Frog Hollow, formerly a (Revolutionary) war site, now evokes a quiet peace.
~ Wishing you a tranquil month! ~