Hard to believe it has been 13 years since starting this blog. We almost didn’t make it through this year.

My website aged out and needed to be moved. I ended the old tourguidedc URL before hosting MonumentalThoughts at BigBadRick.wordpress.com for a short while. I’ll eventually merge it and be just Monumental Thoughts. That’s the simple explanation for anyone who cares.

Once again, I can’t tell how many people visited over the past year, but it wasn’t anything special I’m sure. Lately, maybe 10 people per day come by. But, the tour business itself rebounded somewhat. My guess is Washington regained about 75 percent of its 2019 business before the pandemic wiped out the industry for two years. We’re still limping along as an industry, especially missing corporate events and international travelers while school groups were down. But, I think 2024 will be better.

As for me, I’m no longer a young guide at 63 and rank among the top one-fourth of Guild guides in seniority. I mostly do private tours, but occasionally jump on a bus. I did a lot more Smithsonian tours than years past just chasing money. My knees and body say take it easier, my wallet says keep going.

I just renewed my city license for two more years and think I’ll guide for as long as I physically can. I just love telling stories of my hometown. I will just be a little pickier as to which tours I do. If you’d like to go, email me at Monumental Thoughts at gmail.com.

Otherwise, I’m still Washington’s longest-running sports writer now in my 46th year. I work for 106.7 The Fan’s website. I also make twice daily videos for YouTube at Rick Snider’s Washington. More than 15 million have watched over three years across social media. Yeah, that’s a lot. And yeah, it surprises me.

I plan on a new book on U.S. Presidents and alcohol to be released around St. Patrick’s Day.

May 2024 be our best year ever. This decade owes us one.