My photographer’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Saturday July 30, 2022. While my companions seemed eager for the day’s journey to begin, I didn’t have the usual bounce in my step; there was no enthusiasm whatsoever. Perhaps it was due…
Author: Thomas Watson
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
211: MY LEGEND LIVED ON AT THE BIG LAKE THEY CALLED GITCHIE GUMEE
It had been two months and five days since I underwent successful Spring Replacement Surgery and I was almost as good as new when Tom’s alarm rang at 4:30am on Friday July 29, 2022. While I was excited to once…
210: LIFE OR DEATH? THE HARROWING TALE OF MY DELICATE SPRING REPLACEMENT SURGERY
The 12-day trip that I endured with my photographer and Bob Moldenhauer from May 9th to May 20, 2022 took a physical toll on me. While my right arm was nearly broken in two during the last couple hours of…
209: ACCOSTED BY OHIO’S “BIGGEST @$$HOLE” AT McKINLEY’S FARM
When Tom’s alarm rang at 5:50am on Friday May 20, 2022, the final day of our 12-day trip was underway. Suddenly out of nowhere, I had an issue with my head – it fell off and rolled harmlessly onto the…
208: BAD, BAD, OLD JOHN BROWN. BADDEST MAN IN THE WHOLE DARN TOWN
Thursday May 19, 2022 was get-away day for myself, my photographer, and our friend Bob Moldenhauer. We had spent the better part of six days in and around Washington D.C. and it was time to begin the long journey back…
207: KING ARTHUR & HIS KANGAROO COURT ON ‘HAIL TO THE CHIEF’
Chester Alan Arthur, our 21st President, is one of the lesser-known Presidents in our history. As a matter of fact, Ol’ Elegant Arthur is so obscure that I’ve only been to two sites dedicated to him. One was Chet’s birth…
206: HEADLESS AFTER SPRING BREAK IN WASHINGTON
Our last full day in our nation’s capital began when Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Wednesday May 18, 2022. Even though we had been in Washington for five days up to that point, I knew my photographer had saved…
205: JEFFERSON vs GARFIELD’S GHOST ON ‘HAIL TO THE CHIEF’
To date, I’ve visited the tomb of James Garfield in Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery four times – one of those visits happened shortly after my photographer taped his latest episode of ‘Hail to the Chief’ at GBS Studio in Port…
204: THE NIGHTMARE RETURNED DURING MY DENTURE ADVENTURE
I was relieved when Tom’s alarm rang at 6:30am on Tuesday May 17, 2022, primarily because I had survived the night. Two things haunted me from the moment my photographer turned out the room’s lights until the morning’s sunlight slipped…
203: POSSESSED OR ABDUCTED? MY NIGHT OF FRIGHT IN WASHINGTON
The weather forecast for Washington D.C. on Monday May 16, 2022 was scattered showers with a possibility of thunderstorms throughout the entire morning – and perhaps into the early afternoon. While that meteorological report would disappoint most tourists, it was…