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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2019 Monumental Thoughts.
Author Archives: Rick
The lady was a princess
Statues are normally not what I would call sexy. But, I stand corrected before Crown Princess Martha of Norway. Martha was born a Swedish princess who married Prince Olav of Norway in 1929 at age 28. The princess along with … Continue reading
Don’t rush into World War II Memorial – you’re missing out
I didn’t notice the bas relief panels the first time I walked into the World War II Memorial. Like many, I was eager to see the fountain and the memorial from the middle. OK, go ahead. But when you’re done, … Continue reading
Rochambeau led French to America’s aid
Gen. Comte Jean de Rochambeau is shown in Lafayette Park as a major general of the Continental Army directing his arm with his outstretched right hand with an unfurled copy of the battleplan in his left. Underneath Rochambeau is the … Continue reading
Remembering Jackie Kennedy in the park
Everyone usually thinks of Jackie Kennedy alongside her husband John F. Kennedy at the eternal flame in Arlington National Cemetery. But, you can catch a glimpse of her name outside a one-time dorm along 21st St. N.W. when attending George … Continue reading
SouthernMarylandWine.com
The grand opening of http://SouthernMarylandWine.com is here. There are a dozen wineries in the three counties south of Washington that’s commonly called Southern Maryland. It’s where I’ve lived most of my life and I was always interested in how the wine … Continue reading
Posted in Washington life
Tagged drinking wine, Photo by Lisa Snider, Southern Maryland Wine, SouthernMarylandWine, vineyards, vino, wine, wineries
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Wordless Wednesday: Leaving FDR
Posted in Wordless Wednesday
Tagged Best Washington DC walking tours, FDR, Photo by Rick Snider, Tidal Basin
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Remembering JFK at Holy Trinity church
Holy Trinity Church (3513 N. St. NW) was the city’s first Catholic church in 1792. In the early years, parishioners either rented space on the pews or brought their own chair. But don’t worry, today’s 10,000 parishioners have ample room … Continue reading
Remembering Fala – the First Dog
I’ve been a tour guide since 2010. I know a lot, but there are so many experienced guides who are walking encyclopedias of knowledge of our town. Still, one incident involving Fala the dog at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial … Continue reading
Cherry blossoms first glimpse
It’s that time again. The end of February has us longing for spring and with that the cherry blossoms to signal warm weather is here to stay. Not that it has been a bad winter in Washington, but who doesn’t … Continue reading
The best view in town is . . .
Tourists ask this all the time. It’s not from the top of the Washington Monument despite being the highest point in town. Ditto for the Old Post Office Pavillion or the National Cathedral. And while the porch at the Newseum … Continue reading
Wordless Wednesday: Jefferson Memorial
Posted in Wordless Wednesday
Tagged Jefferson Memorial, Photo by Lisa Snider, Wordless Wednesday
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When a reporter killed in the Capitol
The press and politicians have always had an uneasy relationship. But, it was deadly once inside the U.S. Capitol. Louisville Times reporter Charles Kincaid wrote a story on Kentucky Congressman William Taulbee cheating on his wife while in Washington. The … Continue reading
Visit our sister site – SouthernMarylandWine.com
What is a tour guide and sports writer doing with wine website? Telling stories, of course. Southern Maryland is undergoing a wine awakening. More than a dozen wineries now dot the landscape where tobacco was once king. I’ve lived in … Continue reading
Remembering a terrorist act on Embassy Row
The first impression is it’s some sort of fire plug. Instead, it remembers a terrorist act along Embassy Row. Chilean exile Orlando Letelier and co-worker Ronni Moffitt were killed by a car bomb on Sept. 21, 1976 where the monument … Continue reading
Posted in Memorials
Tagged Best DC walking tour, Bomb on Embassy row, car bomb, Chile, Memorial, Orlando Letelier, Ronni Moffitt, Washington D.C.
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I’m now a certified National Cathedral guide
Ever want to visit one of those old European cathedrals without needing a passport? Come to the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Washington. Commonly called National Cathedral because the Episcopal church welcomes all and serves the … Continue reading
