-
Favorite Places
Categories
©
Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2018 Monumental Thoughts.
Tag Archives: Photos by Rick Snider
Congressional Cemetery: an overlooked jewel
After driving past Congressional Cemetery countless times, I finally decided to tour it. Maybe it was the abundant street parking that convinced me, but what a jewel I’ve been missing. The 35-acre cemetery on Capitol Hill was established in 1807 … Continue reading
Summerhouse been a quenching respite since 1880
Where can you go for a drink around the U.S. Capitol? Well, since 1880 or so The Summerhouse has always offered refreshment. Water, that is. The hexagonal red brick building on the west lawn of the Senate side has a … Continue reading
New perspective can make you feel like an idiot
I wrote about a tree in Arlington National Cemetery that nearly overtook a grave. But I came upon the tree from the opposite angle recently and there was a second grave tucked in the other side of the tree I … Continue reading
Remember the Alamo and Graceland – my vacation road trip
I’ll remember the Alamo and much more off my recent vacation that snaked 1,046 miles from Memphis to San Antonio. Yes, tour guides travel sometimes for pleasure, too. My wife and I aren’t ones to just sit on the beach … Continue reading
Washington Hilton: Where Ronald Reagan was shot
President Ronald Reagan was exiting the Washington Hilton hotel after speaking to a group when a man hoping to impress actress Jodie Foster fired a shot on March 30, 1981. John Hinckley fired six shots, including one that deflected off … Continue reading
Flashback: Crossing the Wilson Bridge on foot
(Reprinted from my former blog – TheRickSniderReport.com on Jan. 9, 2011) The new Wilson Bridge was the best billion dollars ever spent in my opinion. I smile every time I drive over it with no backup at all during rush … Continue reading
The Wharf is a gem
OK, it took me six months to see the new Wharf in Southwest, but what a fine place it has become under the new development. The Anthem serves as the anchor of the waterfront project. It’s a nightclub of touring … Continue reading
Men of science in Museum of the Bible
It would seem a strange sight at first. Men of science in the Museum of the Bible. But, the displays show the two are not incompatible. Galileo is shown with his telescope. The 17th-century scientist is known for saying the … Continue reading
Hahnemann: Hero of Homeopathy
No way you know what this monument is unless you’re a pharmacist. Wandering in Scott Circle where Massachusetts Ave. and 16th St. N.W. meet is one of the widest monuments away from the mall. Four bas relief panels each four … Continue reading
Best Hidden Gems
Everyone photographs the Lincoln Memorial, White House and U.S. Capitol. Now you’re ready to see some hidden gems around town. The good news is they’re all around us. But if we’re going to rank the best hidden photo gems, here … Continue reading
Best Lincoln Memorial photo tips
The best times to photograph the Lincoln Memorial are at night and early morning. Otherwise, the overhead sun leaves it looking flat and the evening sun is behind the Lincoln to provide a dark photo. Night photography can be easy, … Continue reading
Statue of Dr. Philip Jaisohn looks like the real thing
Many statues kinda, sorta, maybe look like the person. Given many of the subjects are long dead, it’s not always easy to know how striking the likeness may be. But outside the South Korean Embassy along Massachusetts Ave. is not … Continue reading
Cuban Friendship Urn – we’re friends again
Now that the U.S. has restored relations with Cuba after a half century of the Cold War, the Cuban Friendship Urn reminds us of a time when we were friends. Actually, U.S.-Cuban relations are a little complicated. The USS Maine … Continue reading
The grave in the tree at Arlington National Cemetery
The grave has almost been lost to a tree Michael Burns’ grave in the rear of Arlington National Cemetery has a very large oak nearly swallowing the Civil War infantryman’s site. The standard stone marker is right next to the … Continue reading
The far side of Mount Vernon
I’ve been to Mount Vernon countless times over a half century since growing up across the Potomac River from the mansion. But I’ve only been down to the boat ramp and far crops twice. Yeah, that’s nuts. Nearly all of … Continue reading
Posted in Attractions
Tagged Best Mount Vernon walking tours, Mount Vernon, Photos by Rick Snider
Leave a comment
Finding Abingdon plantation inside airport
There’s a colonial plantation at Reagan (Washington National to locals) Airport. Or rather, there’s an airport on an old colonial plantation. I had to check out Abingdon Plantation when first learning of it from a company specializing in unique urban sites. … Continue reading
Righting a wrong in American history
Our country has plenty of ugly moments. Slavery and the American Indian wars were the 19th century blunders that we thought were behind us. And then World War II came with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Suddenly, 112,000 Japanese-American … Continue reading
National Arboretum worth trip to edge of town
I used to jog (really) in the Arboretum in the late 1980s while working at the Washington Times. The Arboretum had an open gate by the newspaper along New York Ave. and I ran best I could around the park. … Continue reading
Plenty of grief has come from Adams Memorial
This is a story that can feel personal. Of death and despair. Mark Twain and mistakes. When you find the statue made by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the middle of Section E of Rock Creek Cemetery, hidden within a tall square … Continue reading
Lazy day at National Harbor
It’s not often I spend a lazy Sunday afternoon doing nothing, but while waiting for my wife at National Harbor I wandered by the many statues near the water that I’ve driven by dozens of times. Park the car and … Continue reading