I spent Friday night at the base of Mt Washington, hoping to photograph the Honor Summit taking place on the peak. The high powered spotlights pointed skyward as a tribute to those lost on 9/11/2001 for the 25th anniversary of that tragic day. I knew as soon as I heard about it that I wanted to be there to see it. And even though on a clear night it was visible for miles - I wanted to be THERE. Up close. I wanted to feel it.
And so I rolled out at 5p and got there at 7. There were HUNDREDS of cars along Rt 302, all waiting to see it from the Mt Washington Hotel area. I wanted to shoot from different perspectives like the pond in front of the Hotel, then over to Base Camp Road to the Cog Railway and shoot from there. Here's a few of the images I got from that really special night-
I started here- The Mt Washington Hotel. Traffic and parking were a bit of an s*** show - and the line on Rt 302 was long. Heres the view looking out toward the road- before it got dark
And when the sun went down - all attention was toward the mountain and the lights-
The fog on the pond made getting a clear shot a bit of a challenge - but patience is a virtue, as they say. And on this next one- the small lights on the mountain are actually the headlamps and flashlights from hikers going up or coming down from the mountain - i thought that was cool to see.
Then it was over to the Cog Railway- where was where I knew I wanted to go as soon as I heard about the event-
This is one from the base of the railway- and the path leading up it.
And this one is actually up the mountain a bit, showing the actual rail, and just as I was about to shoot it- two hikers came down the hill and unkowingly walked right into the shot. And I loved it-
When I came down - I saw this rail car off to the right in the dark next to a water tower- and that was like getting an unexpected present-
I left the Cog at about 1130pm and heade down Base Camp Road, but I wanted to stop at the top of my favorite hill and look back - and this is what I saw-
I shot there till just about midnight- when the lights were turned off. And in between shots, I'd just stand there - in the pitch dark - in the middle of the road in total silence - and just looked at the sky. The starts were brilliant, and the spotlights boldly cut into the sky, seemingly almost up to the heavens. It was a stunning view that moved me. I knew I'd feel it, but I didn't expect me to really feel the honor, and the sadness of it all. Still, it was also hopeful, in a way, because when I remember 9/11 of course I think of the tragedy of all the lives lost- but l then think about the way we all were in the days that followed. And even though it feels unlikely - Im still hopeful that maybe we can be that way again once we realize as a country that we have a lot more in common than we have differences.
I spent the night in my 4 star hotel -- the back of my truck -
When i woke at 430a, it as 35 degrees - but the sun would be coming up, and light and warmth would return. And I'd be there to see it (and photograph it...haha).
It was a night I will never forget.