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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2018 Monumental Thoughts.
Tag Archives: Photos by Rick Snider
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
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Tagged Best Mount Vernon walking tours, Mount Vernon, Photos by Rick Snider
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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
Date night – Fogo de Chao and Trump Hotel
I have walked by Fogo de Chao at least several hundred times while leading tours, telling people how good the food was inside. At least, I heard it was. I’m like a dog with his nose pressed against the glass. … Continue reading
Thomas T. Gaff isn’t so scary after all
From the street it looks like a member of the Walking Dead has emerged in Rock Creek Cemetery. Walking up the steep incline makes the grave marker a little less scary and a little more impressive. What once looked like … Continue reading
My great west vacation – Yellowstone National Park
Six states, 1,400 miles, worst hail storm ever, snow squall, 45 degrees, 100 degrees – and it was a fun time. My wife and I went out west to see a cousin for the first time and Yellowstone National Park. … Continue reading
Daniel Webster offers the highest of relief panels
Normally, the high relief art complements the statue, but the two beneath the statue of Daniel Webster are the coolest ones I’ve seen around town. They are nearly lifelike, showing none of their 110 years. The scene in the front … Continue reading
Refurbished Grant statues are magnificent
It’s not often I give two thumbs up, a standing ovation or a big cheer, but finally seeing the restored Grant statue with his artillery and cavalry by the U.S. Capitol west side rekindled my faith in excellent work. … Continue reading
Spanish American War nurses remembered
The large granite boulder remembers the nurses of the Spanish America war, which was the first to have nurses organized by the military. The Maltese cross, symbol of The Society of Spanish American War nurses, sits high on the marker … Continue reading