Bordentown's Chocolate Walk

Twice a year Bordentown, NJ hosts a Chocolate Walk -- early in December and the Friday before Valentine's Day. I've heard about this, but often there is scheduling conflict, so we don't go. Or the weather is miserable. This year the stars aligned and we decided to check it out.

The stars further aligned when I reached out to a friend and asked if he and his paramour were free to join us that night.

It turned out they were. I hesitantly pitched the idea to Don, who went along with it (though with some apprehension, I suppose). 

Dave then called me back and suggested dinner, too. 

That is a big commitment. We have hardly had any double dates since Ashley was born. In January, though, we had a double date with Marlene and James, and that went very well. In that case, though, Don had met Marlene and neither of us had met James. In this case, I knew Dave, but never in a social setting, and did not know Scottie.

We parked in their driveway. After a tour of their magnificent home, we walked up the street to the event. The goal was to get 10 stamps on our passport and turn it in for a chance to win a prize (we didn't win). Each stop had chocolate -- some absolutely amazing, others very generic. All in all, I think there were 13 stops, but at least one closed early. 

The walk served its purpose -- it got us inside businesses we would not have otherwise visited. A few days later, Don and I returned for Valentine's Day at Crumb (a sandwich shop that looked good). 

I knew the double date was going well when Don turned to Dave and asked him to split a chocolate covered Ding Dong for dessert after dinner. My concerns of forcing him out of his comfort zone faded away. We enjoyed burgers and each others' company at the Flying Pig.

I wanted to take a picture of the four of us to commemorate the experience, but didn't want to scare them off. Maybe we'll take one next month at the gala. Don has asked to sit at their table. May we have more double dates. 

Dare I make that a 2023 resolution? I wanted to, but as it involves more than myself, I didn't. 

Tired-Wired or is it Wired-Tired?

11 pm on a Saturday night and I'm feeling the most awake I have felt lately.

Let's see if I can channel some of that energy into writing blog posts.

I last wrote a month ago after seeing Billy Joel in concert. A week later we bid arrividerci to Ashley as she caught her study abroad flight to Italy. 

Don and I kept ourselves entertained by seeing "The Butler Did It" at Somerset Valley Players. As it was opening night, we stayed out later hanging out at the post-show party. The next day I went to an archeology talk at Monmouth University and manned the reunion at work. Then we hopped in the car for a quick trip to Canada -- why should Ashley be the only one to be allowed to leave the country?

Ashley is living her best life. After landing in Rome, the school arranged for a few days of sightseeing before heading to Florence. She is living in an 8-person apartment, including two others from her school and five from Miami University (Ohio). Her 13-minute walk to campus passes a grocery store (or two), the LEGO store, record stores, and antique shops. We can't wait to go!

Her weekends have been spent traveling and sightseeing. After a three-week intensive Italian class, she is traveling to Amsterdam and Brussels with friends, then visiting Yoran's family before returning to Milan. Yes, I have the world traveler I always wanted.