It was an overcast morning on Thursday August 4, 2016 when we left the LaQuinta Inn in Jackson, Tennessee. By the time we drove the 129 miles to Nashville, however, the skies had brightened up and the threat of rain…
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!
53: CLINTON ROCKED IN LITTLE ROCK; EXCEPT AT HIS LIBRARY
We had made the drive from Hot Springs, Arkansas to Little Rock in a little less than an hour. It was a few minutes before noon on August 3, 2016 when we walked up to the Old State House. That…
52: BILL’S HOPE AND HOT SPRINGS
It was nearly 2:00pm on Tuesday August 2, 2016 when we arrived in Hope, Arkansas and the boyhood home of 42nd President Bill Clinton. I knew my photographer was excited to visit Clinton’s first home as Tom and Bill share…
51: IRVING’S PAINE WAS MY GAIN
Monday August 1, 2016 was a catch-22 for me; I was excited to see a couple more Presidential sites, but it was also our last full day in Texas. Bill and Kim went off to work at their Dallas Aerial…
50: THE MYSTERY OF MR. LEE
When everyone was awake at the Plano home of the Johnson’s, I was taken from my resting place on the dresser and carefully positioned into the camera bag. My photographer tried to be extra careful with me as the damaged…
49: WACO’S WACKOS ENDURE MAGNOLIA MAYHEM
When my photographer woke up on the morning of Friday July 29, 2016, he took me off the upstairs bedroom dresser where I had stood the entire night and he placed me into the camera bag for our journey into…
48: WHERE THE CRICKETS ONCE CHIRPED
It was roughly 100 miles from Buddy Holly’s doorstep in Lubbock, Texas to the Petty recording studio in Clovis, New Mexico. I heard David Bigham tell my photographer that when the Crickets were scheduled to record at the studio, Buddy’s…
47: IN THE CRADLE OF ROCK AND ROLL
Last night, and throughout most of the entire night, I spent most of my time removing the makeup that I had applied to my face in protest for not being taken to the KISS show in Wichita, Kansas. I thought…
46: FREEDOM TO ROCK WITH IKE & KISS
The alarm went off bright and early on Sunday July 24, 2016 and before I knew it, we were standing in front of the State Capitol building in Topeka, Kansas. Although I was comfortably situated inside the camera case, I…
45: THE BUCK STOPPED IN INDEPENDENCE
The Avenger was packed and we were headed westward at 8:00am on Saturday July 23, 2016. It was an exciting day for me as I would be spending most of that Saturday visiting with Harry S Truman, our 33rd President.…