Lovely Christmas

Miss P. and I spent today in Half Moon Bay, specifically Princeton-by-the-Sea, near Barbara's Fishtrap restaurant.

We marveled at the scenery, enjoying the serenity of the area.

But even Nature has its moments.  I watched this egret with its yellow feet, dive into the water and chomp away at a little fish.  We also watched a seagull enjoy a freshly caught crab, big enough to be served as an appetizer for us, you know. 

We explored.  We tackled the tide pools, me wishing I had better shoes to deal with the wet and slippery surface.  The ocean was calm in some parts, and violent in others, with waves crashing against the rocks.  Simply a most wonderful time.  And a lovely way to spend Christmas.  Joyful and Peaceful.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

1977, standing in a long line with my brothers in Dale City (Woodbridge, VA), simply unheard of it at the time, to see some movie called Star Wars, and from the get go, we were mesmerized. Why, not because of the incredible special effects, but by a spectacular story line with unforgettable characters, a plot perfectly played out and why certain films capture our imaginations forever and become classics. Though, even back then, I could not stand Princess Leia's hair do. As I matured, I fell out of love with Luke and moved on to Hans....

And here before your eyes is a 150 lb chocolate replica of R2D2 at the Fairmont Hotel, San Jose.  I kid you not.

Another Star Wars chocolate delight created character  in the lobby of the Fairmont, San Jose.  Always, a treat to visit this hotel during the holidays.

Smell the dark chocolate.  It took over 150 hours to create this wonder, weighing in at 200 lbs.

Oh, Dr. Seuss, you bring tears to my eyes.  Concocted of 170 lbs. of white chocolate and icing.  This was in the bar at The Fountain at the Fairmont Hotel, San Jose.  No one was in sight.  I considered sitting at the bar, and saying to no one in particular, "Yes, I'd like a cocktail.  Do pull up a chair, and join me."  And I have a soft spot if you're a fireman or The Boyfriend ....

Seen in the lobby at the Fairmont, San Jose.  Lovely.

Concocted of gingerbread.  Magnificant.

One last parting shot from The Fairmont, San Jose.  Sweet.  My neighborhood has also decorated its lawns, dazzling effects, makes me have hope for our world, to bring joy and peace to all of us.  Do come to downtown San Jose for a visit.  And I have yet to tackle Christmas in the Park.

The University

After I returned the bike to the bike shop and thawed out,  The Boyfriend showed me Princeton University.  Wow, it was spectacular.  I wish I had allocated more time and I wish I had come a few weeks earlier to see the beauty of fall foliage. 

It was like being in England.  Nothing like my campus.

Wow again.

Could have been used for a movie set.

Once in awhile,  I insert a photo that includes The Boyfriend, so you know he truly exists.

The museum, showing an exhibit of Cezanne.  I could have spent hours here.  Much like Stanford's Cantor Museum, it is free and worth a visit.

Alas, my visit came to an end.  Monday morning, The BF put me on the Princeton Dinky and then I continued on the big train to Newark Airport and back home.  We don't always know what life has in store for us.  Who knew that I'd one day go to Princeton.  It was magical.  Thank you Mr. Boyfriend.

Weekend Sightseeing

Time for sightseeing in Princeton.  Where, I ask you, are the firemen.... oh but wait, I have The BF to be an object of my affection.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The Boyfriend and I went on 30 mile rides (Pennington and other areas) and then he showed me the sights.  He's used to biking hard and fast through the various townships while I wanted to soak up everything at a slower pace.  We saw live deer.  We saw dead deer.  Sunday's ride was a bit miserable because of the low 40s temperature.  My feet and hands were not happy.

Meanwhile, off the bike, he showed me Einstein's house, occupied by someone so we only viewed the exterior. Neato peato.

This is Nassau Hall, an impressive building, a campus and national landmark.  I loved all the architecture as I always do when on the East Coast.  The sense of history, you know.

We also drove through New Hope and Lambertville, two towns that reminded me of Old Town Alexandria in Virginia.  I wish I had taken photos showcasing their charm.  Above is the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Lambertville.  We had a swell time at the The Alchemist & Barrister, a pub in downtown Princeton.  Good food, good atmosphere.  Sunday saved for visiting the university and next blog entry.

Meeting My Prince in Princeton

My Prince, aka The Boyfriend, met me at Princeton Junction.  He took me to his swanky pad off Nassau Street in downtown Princeton where we celebrated Thanksgiving with an Indian meal.  No, the above photo is not his swanky pad but a shot of somewhere in Palmer Square in the downtown area.  Lovely historic and vibrant downtown.  Maybe Los Gatos or Willow Glen in my neck of the woods comes close to the look and feel but neither quite matches the quaintness of a East Coast town. 

Friday morning, we went to Jay's Cycles to rent me a Trek road bike.  I brought my biking shoes.  Cycling in Princeton reminded me of Virginia, especially where my brothers live -- dense wooded areas.  Except in Princeton, everyone lives in fabulous mansions with a lot of land; every other sign was for someone's farm.  I kept wondering, "who mows the lawn, and what are the heating bills like."  There were a lot of open preserve parks and solar panels too, much too my delight.  And signs about no fracking and no pipeline, too.  We lucked out with the weather on our 30 mile trek, very mild temperatures, though of course I was decked out in wool.

Time for some sightseeing.  No, no, no firemen....  Here I am at Washington's Crossing in Bucks County, you know, history, people, history!

Wow, I never thought I'd be here.  The Boyfriend sure knows how to romance me.

Here we are at Bowman's Hill Tower in Pennsylvania.  As I write this blog entry, I learn that the tower is closed today due to weather conditions.  Goodness.   I'm lapping up the history in any case.   Tomorrow is another day.

Welcome to the Garden State

November 24, 2015

4am, I'm on Super Shuttle on the way to SFO.  It's 32 degrees in the Bay Area with frost on cars.  Missing out on LKHC Mt. Ham tradition but certainly not missing that's freaking freezing and there's snow atop the mountain.  5:30am, I'm at the airport.  At 6am, I'm at the gate ready to board at 6:10.  I wasn't sure what to expect having never traveled on Thanksgiving Day but everything went smoothly.  Two days ago, I was in a dentist chair because a crown fell out.  Phew, didn't need root canal surgery, this time. 

I'm on my way to New Jersey.  My mother went to high school in NJ and she took the train to D.C. for work.  She met my dad while commuting.  Oh goody, in flight entertainment.  No, there aren't any firemen aboard.  I shall sit back and watch lots of movies, like the latest Minions film.  The Boyfriend provided detailed instructions for what to do when I land.  I have to take the air train to the train station and then a train to Princeton Junction.  Everyone was super friendly and helpful.  Looking forward to a much needed getaway with my man.

(the photo was taken in Lambertville, a cute little town by the Delaware and Raritan canal, as was New Hope).