American Dreams: the Ivy League: Princeton

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An American Dream, Found and Lost

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

These gothic buildings have been peopled by men (until not so long ago, only men) who went on to careers in business, medicine, science. But you'll see below that some got their education and then lost their lives in service of their country.

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Love the small-pane windows!

Another set of arches leading to the quad. Frisbee anyone?

Princeton reeks of history. Here, the class of 1905 commemorates one of its members, who died while serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Service in 1918. They named a dorm after him.

Another fabulous historic house, across the street from the campus.

And a little bonus: magnolias in Colonial Park, Somerset County.

Happy spring, everybody! How about you? What's your American Dream? Something you aspire to?

Princeton is Kinda Cute in Spring

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American Dreams: An Ivy League Education

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Princeton looks good in spring--an probably fall, and every other time.

A gate that leads onto a quad.

Details of another gate.

I'm a sucker for the crenelation at the top of this gate.

An exceptional historic house across the street from the gates above. Possibly faculty housing.

Another gate leading into a central quad. Very romantic. Didn't the Great Gatsby go to Princeton? I think F. Scott Fitzgerald did, for a little while at least.

Not too far from Princeton is a Somerset County park on Mettlars Lane.

Close-up of a tulip magnolia in all its spring-time splendor. Say, RT this blog, or +1 it? Thanks!

American Dreams: Princeton, NJ

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American Dreams: An Ivy League Education

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Who hasn't dreamt of being a Princeton grad, with the world your oyster? On a spring visit to Princeton, NJ, I wandered the campus, the closest I'll get to an Ivy League education. No regrets, I've taught myself a lot, and life has taught me other things some kids in Princeton will never have the opportunity to know.

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Can't you just hear the professors' minds whirring behind these windows? I'm a sucker for anything gothic and crenellated at top.

A tiger on a plinth. The school colors are a ghastly orange and black, like a tiger's stripes.

Here's another view, with gothic, small-paned windows in the background.

Don't know what it's called, but it's kind of magnifico, is it not?

American Dreams in Mystic, CT

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American dreams of a boat

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

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You could fulfill your dreams for a boat by buying it used at Mystic Marine Consignment (see last week's post, too). 

Here's a sleek hull. 

Here's life preservers for you and the crew.

All the gear you could ever need, used and inexpensive.

All kinds of block and tackle for hoisting a sail.

And in the bow, this cannon to get other boats out of your way! 

How about you, thinking of buying a boat? Already enjoying one? Comment below! If you like this blog, recommend it to your friends!

American Dream: A Used Nuclear Submarine, Perchance?

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American Dream: Think big, bigger, biggest!

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

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You will not believe all the nautical stuff you can buy used. Practically a nuclear submarine! Visit Marine Consigment of Mystic, 15 Holmes Street.

A wet suit, or a cooler.

Anchors (they look like sailboats themselves, jib and mainsail).

Would you like an upgrade from your car's factory steering wheel?

Not a nuclear submarine, but getting there....

Lighthouses for your collection. Next week, more surprising stuff. How about you? Do you shop consignment? My winter coat is second-hand. Fits perfectly, sleeves just the right length. Keeps me warm. $25. 

American Dreams: Gaining Inspiration from Time in the Wild

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American Dreams: Alone in the Vast Expanse

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I'll take you into the Great Swamp again, covering new territory today, the Orange Trail. This is about as wild and untamed as it gets in New Jersey.

These are autumn pictures, but that's okay, it doesn't look too much different right now.

I'm leaving my imprint on nature (my shadow).

See the path through the center? It's nearly lost in the undergrowth. This is not a well known place.

That's the path, low in the center. Will I make it back to civilization?

The path, through the middle again. It's just a smudge...

Evidence of Superstorm Sandy: mature trees snapped like twigs.

They almost made it into a fourth airport for New York City in the 1960s. How about you? Do you have a county, state, or national park near you? Do you find solace in it?  Comment below!

American Dreams of Wandering in the Wild

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Dreams of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

We're waiting for dreams of spring to come true. While all is still dormant, I want to show you one of my favorite haunts, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris and Somerset counties, New Jersey.

I especially enjoy being in my other favorite haunt, New York City, with its crowded sidewalks and bustling millions in the morning, and taking a solitary ramble in the Great Swamp in the afternoon.

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What color combinations nature gives us!

The far reaches of the swamp, still showing the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

More Sandy damage.

Fabulous lichens.

Growth rings, stress marks, grays and browns.

This is called "Plymouth Wreck" on the maps. Every year it's a little more sunken, more decrepit. How did it get here, in the middle of all these big trees? A mystery of the Swamp. How about you? Do you like to wander alone in the woods? Or in cities? Or both? Comment below!