When Tom’s alarm went off at 5:30am on Monday September 11, 2023, the two of us took a moment to reflect on that horrific day in 2001. Even though I hadn’t yet been created in a Chinese factory when 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!
261: I MUST’VE BEEN NUTS WHEN I GOT CLOSE TO DAKOTA THUNDER – THE WORLD’S LARGEST BUFFALO
“A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, I’d see the Fiesta where kids once danced; and maybe I’d be happy for a…
260: SADIE TOOK US BACK TO THE FUTURE AT THE LARAMAR BALLROOM
When Tom’s alarm rang at 5:45am on September 9, 2023, it was easy to tell he had a bounce in his step and a song or two in his heart. Even though there were no Presidential sites on our day’s…
259: FLASHBACKS DURING MY VISIT TO HOOVERVILLE
From an opening in the camera case situated on the back seat of the Family Truckster, I watched the world go by as Vicki drove my photographer and me from Davenport to West Branch, Iowa. And during that entire time,…
258: A BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN DAVENPORT WITH BARACK, BUSH, AND THE BOY ON A BRIDGE
When Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Friday September 8, 2023, I knew it was a lot later than my photographer’s original plan of a 3am wakeup call had we not left home a day earlier. Tom and his wife,…
257: ‘WAVE ON’ FOR BUDDY’S BIRTHDAY AT A LAKE MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSE
Buddy Holly likely would’ve turned 87 years old on Thursday September 7, 2023 had he not been a passenger on the Beechcraft Bonanza airplane that crashed outside of Clear Lake, Iowa in 1959. And I couldn’t think of a better…
256: CELEBRATING MY BIG ONE-OH AT SPIEGEL GROVE WITH TOM, BOB, RUD, AND LUCY
Flashback to 2013 when I spent my first moments at a Presidential site as my photographer, his wife Vicki, and I embarked on an eight-day trip that began at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio. While our visit to the home…
255: HOMEWARD BOUND – ANOTHER EPIC JOURNEY COMES TO AN END
It was roughly 10:20am on Wednesday June 14, 2023 when my photographer, Bob Moldenhauer, and I left Kent State and the images of May 4th behind us. I was antsy during the entire 38-mile journey north as the next stop…
254: ON THE BLOOD-STAINED GROUNDS OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
When Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Wednesday June 14, 2023, which was Flag Day, I looked out of our room’s window at the Fairfield Inn in Streetsboro, Ohio and the weather appeared bleak. The sky was very overcast with…
253: AN ENCOUNTER WITH ALIENS, ZOMBIES, AND A *BLEEPING* PSYCHO IN YORK
The tenth day of our eleven-day adventure began when Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am on Tuesday June 13, 2023. Within the next two hours, my companions had their stuff packed, their faces filled, and the three of us were on…