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Unless otherwise noted, all content and photos are © 2019 Monumental Thoughts.
Tag Archives: Photo by Rick Snider
The Embassy Row Lady and the Curse
The Indonesian Embassy was once the home of Evalyn Walsh McLean, whose Irish immigrant father hit it rich as a gold miner. This 3 1/2-story brick mansion trimmed with three bands of limestone and a red tile roof was the … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
Stephen DeCatur House remains special
Stephen DeCatur must have been one cool cat, if not an unlucky one. After fighting in the War of 1812 and later facing pirates off the Barbary Coast, DeCatur used the “prize money” from Congress to build this three-story brick … Continue reading
A winter’s peek at Sir John Dill
Why would anyone walk Arlington National Cemetery in January? It’s the best time for photos. This photo above of Sir John Dill would be impossible when leaves are on the trees. By looking for the statue from a non-traditional angle, … Continue reading
John Wingate Weeks worth a side trip
It’s funny how you can walk by something regularly, but come a different way one time and see it entirely differently. That’s how I stumbled upon the magnificent grave of John Wingate Weeks, a former Secretary of War who’s a … Continue reading
Monumental Thoughts turns 8
Happy birthday to Monumental Thoughts . . . again. I’ve just finished eight years of tour guiding and writing this blog, which is mostly a journey of continued learning. Last summer saw my 1,000th post of the sites and sights … Continue reading
Posted in Washington life
Tagged Best D.C. walking tours, Monumental Thoughts, Photo by Rick Snider
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Reagan National Airport in gingerbread
Inside the Willard Hotel is a gingerbread version of Reagan National Airport as you head from the lobby to the cafe. Please, don’t eat it. The entire Willard Hotel pastry staff, headed by executive pastry chef Jason Jimenez, pastry cook … Continue reading
Posted in Washington life
Tagged gingerbread, Photo by Rick Snider, Reagan National Airport, Willard Hotel
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