Lights of Massachusetts

Take an ocean and add a lighthouse and you've got something pretty exceptional.

There are many who are inspired by the beacons that have meant safety to seafarers over the years. I count myself among them.

Many thanks to Kraig of http://www.lighthousefriends.com/ for guiding us to these Massachusetts lights:

(The top three are of Eastern Point Light on Cape Ann from different angles. Those below are Cape Ann (Thatcher Island) Lights, then Annisquam and then on Cape Cod: Nauset and Highland. On Nantucket island: Brant Point and finally on Martha's Vineyard: Edgartown Harbor Light, East Chop Lighthouse and Gay Head (Aquinnah) Lighthouse.)

By the numbers:

Massachusetts lights -- 62 (as near as I can tell)

Those we saw -- 20

Those we saw at sunrise -- 3

Those we saw in storms -- 4

Those we went in -- 2

Those we were close enough to touch -- 8

Those we saw from the sea or across a harbor -- 9

Every setting was different, every light was unique. Every one perfect in its own way.

These too

The moon had perfect timing that night.

Just because

Just because I like it.

History and Literature

You get a lot of history when traveling in New England. History that celebrates discovery, revolution and independence.

One day in our travels the history largely revolved around literary figures, their homes, their writing and their inspiration. That was the day we started in Salem at the House of Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne and ended at Walden Pond, Thoreau's inspiration.

In between we saw Orchard House, home of the Alcotts; The Wayside, home at various times of Hawthorne and the Alcotts and Margaret Sidney; and Emerson's home.

The most fascinating thing of the whole day? For me it was a comment on an informational sign in the house where Hawthorne once resided. I haven't been able to confirm it, but it struck me.

It said Hawthorne was a bit of a recluse at times and that when one of his books got bad reviews, he gathered up the copies he'd given to his friends and burned them all.

That just does something to me. Me, who can't throw away an interesting article or give away an old shirt. Me, who doesn't sell many books but keeps writing new ones anyway. Me, who can't take 20 steps in a new place without taking a picture of it and can't delete even the bad ones because someday I might want to see things from just that angle.

Because you can't relive it. Or rewrite it. Or recapture it.

So you have to embrace it. Imperfections and all.

Even if no one else does.

Top: The House of Seven Gables

Above: Orchard House

Below: The Wayside
Below that: Emerson's home

Above: Replica of Thoreau's temporary home near Walden Pond.

Below: Walden Pond. (I bet he didn't stay in much.)

He does too deserve it.

He didn't ask for it and was the first to admit he doesn't feel worthy of it, so it's just plain wrong that President Obama's getting the drubbing the world is dishing out for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Especially when he does in fact deserve it.

Yes, so he was nominated early in office, but those making the decision have had these nine months to consider it. Perhaps in that time, they have seen what I have seen:

--Steps have been and continue to be taken to close Guantanamo, a blight on American belief in freedom and justice.
--The missile shield program that caused such tension with Russia has been dropped.

In addition, Obama has been seen:
--Reaching out with rationality to the world's Muslims.
--Meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders (remember Bush waited seven and a half years to address that issue).
--Speaking candidly to the UN about what America can and can't do.
--Being willing to talk to leaders of rogue nations (Bush just called them names).
--Pulling out of Iraq to the extent possible.
--Taking a long time to consider the ramifications of an Afghanistan build-up.

Wasn't there even something about shutting down more of our own nuclear arsenal?

Why didn't anyone think of these things before? Doesn't each lead to peace?

I applaud Obama's efforts to use diplomacy and to go where others have not thought to go.
I applaud the Nobel committee's decision.

I believe all these moves will in fact lead to greater peace in our crazy world.
And I hope all those criticizing will take a step towards peace as well, by letting it go.

East Coast views

Imagine my surprise, when... ...on rising early to take pictures of the sunrise at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts...

...I spotted a lighthouse across the harbor from the dock where I was shooting.

That happened again and again as we explored New England's capes and islands. Lighthouses of many sizes and colors and signals popped up with sufficient frequency that even a buff (or "nut" as some call it) like me was inspired from sunrise to sunset.

There's something about a lighthouse. Its dramatic presence, its history, its guiding light, its security, its promise.

I never got tired of photographing them -- this one alone from many angles -- as we passed it heading out on a ferry......heading in on the ferry... ...heading off for dinner... ...even having dinner.And a couple mornings later -- more still.
Yes, we had a great time in Massachusetts.

And we saw beautiful things.

And we took many photos.

And this is just a start.