Our morning at the ‘Little Hotel on the Prairie’ in De Smet, South Dakota began when Tom’s alarm rang at 7:00am on Wednesday September 20, 2023. My two companions weren’t in a huge hurry as Vicki wanted to visit The…
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!
271: GOOD TIMES IN THE BADLANDS ENDED IN THE LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE
Our twelfth full day of the trip began when Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Tuesday September 19, 2023. It was moving day, which meant my companions had to lug all of their gear down the steep wooden steps of…
270: I KEPT MY POKER FACE WHILE IN THE DEAD MAN’S HAND OF WILD BILL HICKOK
When Tom, Vicki, and I left Mount Rushmore National Memorial behind, I had no idea of where we were headed next – except when I heard my photographer’s wife say she wanted to find a bagel place in Keystone. When…
269: SHOCK ME – A DAY OF RECKONING AT MOUNT RUSHMORE LEFT ME PARALYZED WITH GRIEF
Monday, September 18, 2023, was a very special day for my photographer and his wife. When Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am, the first thing my companions did was wish their twin grandsons, Bo and Rory, a happy ninth birthday. The…
268: HOBNOBBIN’ WITH A LITTLE STYLE, GRACE, AND SILENT CAL IN CUSTER STATE PARK
For the first time since we left Michigan ten days earlier, my photographer and his wife, Vicki, didn’t wake up to an alarm clock. Tom figured the three of us needed a more-relaxed day, which he figured would be spent…
267: WE WERE NOT ALONE – ESPECIALLY DURING OUR CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH DEVILS TOWER
My photographer’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Saturday, September 16, 2023, and for some reason, my two companions seemed to be dragging their butts that morning. As a matter of fact, we didn’t leave the Kelly Inn parking lot in…
266: PRESIDENT KENNEDY CAME TO LIFE IN BILLINGS – NEARLY 60 YEARS AFTER HIS VISIT
Tom had his alarm set for 6:00am on Friday September 15, 2023, but he was up a half-hour earlier to drop the Cosby kids off at the pool. It was a bittersweet morning for me. I was sad to leave…
265: SUNUP TO SUNDOWN – MY DAY AT GLACIER WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD
Our final full day at Montana’s Glacier National Park began early on Thursday September 14, 2023 when Tom’s alarm went off at 5:00am. The first thing my photographer did was check the weather report for the park – which thankfully…
264: WHERE WAS THE SUN ON GLACIER’S GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD?
Wednesday the 13th of September was scheduled to be our first of two full days at Glacier National Park in Montana. When Tom’s alarm went off at 5:30am, the rotund hike-hater sprung out of bed like his colon had just…
263: RUNNING EAGLE FALLS PROVIDED MY FIRST TASTE OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
The sixth day of our trip began when my photographer’s alarm rang at 5:30am on Tuesday September 12, 2023. Even though it was still dark outside, I was anxious to hit the road and get my first glimpse of Big…