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!)

Just dance!

Salsa under summer skies, Hinds Plaza.

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.

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).

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).

"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 

Touch of color

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

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? 

Fading beauty

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

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).

Framing

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

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.  

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). 

In bloom

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

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.

Gilded lilies

Tiger lilies are a vivid adornment this time of year. 

Moonrise

...at twilight, a favorite time of day.

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)!

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!

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!"). 

June theme day: Tranquility

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

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