Late afternoon III

Hurrying from yesterday's traffic, you'll soon see another dormitory at the edge of the university. Our tiny train (the 'Dinky') once stopped right out front (causing great disturbance to the students!).

Late afternoon II

Rush hour in Princeton (all those cars are headed into town) is brief but intense. That's Holder Tower, modeled after Canterbury Cathedral in Kent UK, and part of Princeton's burst of dormitory construction in 1909 - continuing into the First World War - for a growing student population.

Rush hour

On Princeton University campus. I'll be taking a break next week - enjoy your weekend, see you soon!

Sunny afternoons

It was 1C/30F late Sunday, heat wave! Fields and woods are still snowy, but this bench looks ready for 'benchwarmers' soon.

Happy Friday!

In the distance, two friends were running about, enjoying the snow and sunset. Enjoy your weekend!

Winter morning

Back from (work) travels and the polar vortex is loosening its grip, yay! Even the geese are flying again (specks in 1st photo). A cross country skier (2nd photo) enjoyed the sunrise with me.

This month many years ago

"This is hallowed ground. Across these fields in the early light of the third of January 1777, Washington's Continentals defeated British regulars for the first time in the long struggle for American independence." Portico and sign by the tomb of unknown American and British soldiers, Princeton Battlefield. Unplowed snow blocked my path to the battlefield, but I found these January 2013 snaps. (More battlefield here and here.)

I'm taking a break next week. Enjoy your weekend, see you soon!

***

P.S. Below, Friday AM forecast is -20C/-8F (thanks to Jack for the Fahrenheit reminder) - far colder than Alaska's 2-3C. No wonder my camera's protesting.

Bare-branched season

 Wintry shadows and late day light cheer up any cold day.

Golden

The setting sunlight so intense, I lowered the saturation in this shot (don't think I've ever done that) - it otherwise looked too fake! Have a golden weekend.

Sunny, snowy afternoon

Princeton University's Cannon Green. Near the middle left of photo is a buried Revolutionary War cannon, left by the Brits (last shown here). Happy Monday!

Postcard from Washington, DC: Deck the halls

To end my work travels, sunset glow at the capitol and GIANT wreath in the halls outside Union Station.

Rest in peace

Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013. A moving reaction to the New York Times obituary:

"I can't explain how sad this makes me feel. I grew up in apartheid South Africa, 15 years old standing in a long line watching my mother vote for the first time in her 44 years. She was jailed twice for curfew, her brother, an anti-apartheid activist is still missing to this day. South Africa was more than blessed to have a leader such as this man where a country could transition peacefully.
Because of him and those like my uncle, I am free today."
-Rosalie, NY, December 5, 2013

Recent weeks V: Vanderbilt Mansion, New York

How the other half lives: Gilded Age "summer cottage" of one of America's richest families. Enjoy your weekend!

Recent Weeks IV: Future chefs + Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass without mentioning food! Spotted these future chefs at the Culinary Institute of America. This day is about gratitude for a good harvest and other blessings - Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent weeks III: The Hudson River, New York

I showed you the Culinary Institute of America yesterday - this was the view towards the Hudson River.

***

{Explorer Henry Hudson is famed for his exploits in the area, but met a sticky end 400 years ago - his crew mutinied and set him, his son, and several men adrift at Canada's Hudson Bay. They were never seen again.}

Recent weeks II: Hudson Valley, New York

Luckily, I got one weekend off and enjoyed autumn sun at the CIA - the Culinary Institute of America. (It's probably a more pleasant destination than the other CIA.)

Afternoon light

Warming up a peaceful corner.

A peaceful moment {+ gallows humor}

At the Princeton cemetery. Below, a touch of gallows humor: "William H. Hahn Jr., 1905-1980, I told you I was sick". 

Morning stroll

After days of rain, sunlight felt thrilling! Also, apologies for the top of the tree being cut off, it was the best I could do as my arms kept being tugged by a wiggly dog (below - her name is Kona, a 6-year-old English Springer Spaniel we recently adopted from a rescue group...she's been wiggling ever since:).

{wiggly dog, wiggly car, wiggly phone snap}

The day closes

Looking skyward near the woodsy, southwest end of town, a lovely way to close the day.