Thai food, paused dog, wet walking: Another visit to Princeton and the Watershed Institute

The sunset on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, as seen from the parking deck at Live Casino and Hotel in Southern Philadelphia, Pa.

Photo by the author.

By Matthew E. Milliken
MEMwrites.wordpress.com
March 6, 2023

I took my third trip to Princeton, N.J., on Monday, Feb. 20, which was President’s Day. After walking for more than six miles that morning, I showered, dressed, packed some snacks and hopped into my car to drive to Central Jersey. I came into town from the east/northeast on New Jersey Route 27. That becomes Nassau Street, which fronts the north end of Princeton University’s campus and serves as the town’s main street.

I parked off of North Harrison Street, which runs roughly north–south and intersects with the east side of Nassau. It was a little after 2 p.m. I walked west on Nassau for about half a mile. I turned around in front of Firestone Library and headed back toward my car. Along the way, I mused about where I wanted to enjoy a late lunch.

After stumbling across a small joint named Thai Village, I decided to eat there. I donned a mask, stepped through the door and asked the waiter if I could sit outside. He said it was fine and immediately picked up a menu, a drinking glass and a water pitcher to bring outside. I zipped up my jacket, took my seat and began looking over the menu. I ordered shrimp spring rolls for an appetizer and shrimp fried rice for my entree.

Sept. 16, 2022, poker recap: Part 1

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By Matthew E. Milliken
MEMwrites.wordpress.com
Sept. 20, 2022

I walked around 6.2 miles the morning of Friday, Sept. 16. After showering and dressing, I puttered around the house for a while. Around 1 in the afternoon, having loaded some things into my car, I drove down to Princeton and parked close to Nassau Avenue. I wandered along the north end of the Nassau commercial district and went a block or two past it. Then I reversed course and stepped into the foyer of a restaurant called Amazing Thai, which had a large (and at that time empty) outdoor seating area.

I enjoyed a quiet lunch on a mild, sunny mid-September afternoon. Then I strolled south for a while, going one long block past where I’d parked. Upon turning back toward my car, I made a quick stop at an ATM. Back at my car, I put my food in the soft-sided cooler I’d brought, arranged my phone and other items to my satisfaction, and began driving toward the casino I generally call Philadelphia Live.

Right around 5 p.m., I sat down in seat eight at table 10, which was hosting a $1-$3 no limit Texas holdem game. I bought in for $300.

My day trip to Princeton

A fallen tree on the property of the Watershed Institute near Hopewell, N.J., as seen on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.

Photo by the author.

By Matthew E. Milliken
MEMwrites.wordpress.com
Aug. 13, 2022

On Sunday, I made what I believe was my first ever visit to Princeton, N.J., and its environs.

I donated blood during the noon hour at an American Red Cross blood bank south/southwest of the town. Afterward, I snacked and used the bathroom before walking to my car, where I snacked some more and hydrated. It was a hot sunny day in a summer that has been filled with them.

Then I drove to a nearby bank, withdrew money from the ATM and parked in the shade to arrange the cash to my liking. Next, I stopped at a gas station and fueled up.

The station was located on the southwest corner of U.S. 1 and Washington Road, which for that stretch coincides with state routes 526 and 571. Like many busy roads in New Jersey, U.S. 1 has an unusual system of exchanges, and I struggled to choose the right lane for my trip north on Washington toward the university and town of Princeton. Things got a little dicey after I crossed U.S. 1 and found that I should have been one lane over, but fortunately, another motorist yielded to me.