It was early morning on July 6, 2014; just two weeks after my last tour of duty. I was in my usual spot in the Avenger; safely packed away in my camera case that sat securely on the car’s back…
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!
12. I HAD MY FILL OF FILLMORE
Before nightfall, we had planned on being in Watkins Glen, New York so that my photographer and his wife could attend the wedding of Mark Mortimer and Margaret Franzese the following day. I was hoping to see Mark again as…
11. WINGIN’ IT IN BUFFALO
My visit to the Ansley Wilcox house had put me through the full spectrum of emotions; from excitement to relief. It was exciting for me to stand in the room where Theodore Roosevelt first became our 26th President; and at…
10: IT’S MILLARD TIME!
After a three-month hiatus following my Texas trip, I was back on the road on Friday June 20, 2014 headed for upstate New York. From my home in Michigan, the quickest route to New York was a short cut through…
9: JFK SLEPT HERE
I had visited the hospital where Kennedy was pronounced dead and I stood on the spot where he was shot; but as my sightseeing window was closing fast on that trip, I asked Kim Johnson for one last favor: Please…
8: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
On November 9, 1984 a motion picture was released called A Nightmare on Elm Street that featured a burnt killer named Freddie Krueger who slashed kids in their sleep with his bladed leather glove. That movie took place in the…
7: DALLAS ROCK CITY
For eight long months I stood silently on a living room shelf in Michigan nodding at anyone who walked by. I started to think I had become a ‘yes’ man; but the fact was: I was just happy that my…
6: CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH GARFIELD – MAYBE TOO CLOSE!
It was overcast in Northern Ohio on the morning of July 17, 2013; but there was no threat of rain – which was always a good thing. The first and only scheduled stop for the final day of the trip…
5: HEARTBREAK AT GARFIELD’S LAWNFIELD
The weather was perfect as we made the 12-mile jaunt from the motel to downtown Niles, Ohio. My chauffeur’s GPS took us right to the site – the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial. As soon as I was pulled from my…
4: PITT TO PUNX & NO PREZ
It was Friday July 12, 2013 and we were headed for Pittsburgh. I was in my usual spot while on the road – a snug pocket in a well-padded camera case as I rode in the back seat of the…