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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2018 Monumental Thoughts.
Tag Archives: Photos by Rick Snider
Fast finish to tour season
Well, Thanksgiving’s over and so is tour season. Aside a tour here and there, most guides are spending the next two months sitting by the fire and glad to escape winter’s cold. Strangely, the season ended with a flourish –five … Continue reading
Finding relatives at Arlington National Cemetery
We’ve all seen the World War II movies. The wave of dead bodies that seem like a Hollywood trick and not someone else’s family. I recently learned one of them was family on my mother’s side. A couple branches over … Continue reading
If you’re a plane or space junkie, Udvar-Hazy worth the trip
For years I’ve heard great things about the The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Drove by the entrance plenty of times without stopping just like hundreds of other local attractions. It’s worth the trip to the Chantilly, Va. venue near Dulles … Continue reading
U.S. Botanic Gardens more than a greenhouse
One of the joys of becoming a tour guide is stopping at places I’ve driven past a million times. High on the list is the U.S. Botanic Garden on 1st and Maryland Ave. S.W. on the footstep of the U.S. … Continue reading
Petersen House is a must stop for Lincoln fans
For many years, I’ve walked past Petersen House en route to Ford Theatre. I should have detoured across the street years earlier. President Abraham Lincoln died at Petersen House on April 14, 1865 after shot the night before at Ford’s … Continue reading
Cenotaphs define Congressional Cemetery
They hit you right away. Amid the acres of graves, the rows of cenotaphs made me say, “What the . . . “ (And shame on you with dirty minds even if you guessed right.) Congressional Cemetery has 168 nearly … Continue reading
That’s Smithson . . . as in Smithsonian
Who’s the man in the bathtub? Wow, what am I going to do with you guys? That’s the remains of James Smithson as in the man that founded museums that bear his name. So what’s he doing in a bathtub? … Continue reading
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