Wednesday, April 30, 2014

#13 Washington DC

The Ballard Boys were Lucky enough to meet up with Grumpy in Washington DC this weekend! And in Ballard Boys style they had a Large agenda for Grumpy to get done with them!!!



The Ballard Boys started off their whirlwind tour at the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum.  Once they buzzed through there, they were off to the Natural History Museum to check out the dinosaurs before the exhibit closes for 5 years! In record time, they saw all the dinosaurs and we were on the move...


  William and James could not do a tour of Washington DC with out checking out the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy's resting place! William H. Taft will have to wait until we have more time to walk around Arlington National Cemetary.


After a quick drive by to wave "Hi" to Barack Obama, the Boys stopped off at the Lincoln Memorial!


One of the Highlights of the Trip was the Metro... Or Sub-a-way! The Boys Loved riding all day!!


A Big Shout out to Our Tour Guide for the Day! Grumpy, we had a Blast!!!! Resting at the Ritz Carlton wasn't bad either....HeeHee!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

#12 Yorktown Battlefields

The Last stop of the Ballard Boys Colonial Triangle this past weekend was Yorktown.  Yorktown was the site were Allied American and French Forces won a decisive Battle Against the British in 1781!

Unfortunately, by this time the Rain Came...


Victory Tower!

 The Field where the Official Surrender Ceremony took place!

#11 Jamestown Settlement

The Ballard Boys visited the First Official Colonial Settlement of Jamestown this past weekend! They were amazed at how small the original fort was and how the Colonists expanded the Colony along the coast of the James River.



A Little Photo Op with the Beautiful Pocahontas!

There was a Beautiful Church build in the Settlement. The Church Tower is the only above ground  structure still remaining...

Plenty of Replicas to run through...


The Site of the First Landing...

Some Photos of the Ballard Boys Hiking Around Jamestown Island...






As Always...Needed more Exploration time...

Saturday, December 7, 2013

#10 Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

The Ballard Boys visited Harpers Ferry this past weekend to learn a little about the Civil War Battles that occurred their.  It was also a Fabulous chance to visit with their friends Anna Grace and Chandler Cox.



Jebby visited with a Soldier on the Street.


Boys taking a little break drown by the River... 

William and Chandler at where the Potomac and Shenandoah River meet.

A little Break at the Local Tavern...


Just down from the Anna Grace and Chandler's house...

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

# 9 Fort McHenry

On Their way out of Baltimore the Ballard Boys stopped off at Fort McHenry to check out where the Star Spangled Banner was written.


The Boys standing at the water with the Fort behind them.
This is the view the British Navy had upon entering the Baltimore Harbor in 1812

The Boys down inside the Fort.

William checking out the ammunition stash.

The Boys inside the main circle in the Fort.
We were lucky enough to get to see a local High School Band march up to the flag and play the Star Spangled Banner Live for us! It was Very moving!

Monday, April 2, 2012

#8 Appomattox Court House

On Palm Sunday 1865 General Robert E. Lee Surrendered the Army of Northern Va to Lt. Gen Grant in the McLean House in Appomattox Court House Village. So what Better thing to do on Palm Sunday 2012 then to take the Ballard Boys for a little Visit of the McLean House!


Here is the Parlor where the Surrender took place...

Here is Appomattox Court House with the McLean House in the far left. Originally, Clover Hill Village and centered around a Tavern, Appomattox Court House got its name after the village became the county seat of Appomattox County.

The Boys checking out the "necessary room"!

Also spending a little time in jail!

Always the Map Reader! William acclimates James on which direction they should go next!

On April 9, 1865, from this spot the last shot was fired by the Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia. The Cannon was located at the Peers House in the Northern end of town.

The Boys at the site of Lee and Grant's second meeting after the Surrender.

Just for Fun:
This is one of the Law Offices that was located in the Village of Appomatox Court House. I could totally see Jason in there Working Away!

Lastly Little Jebby having a "Nack" while Daddy and Willie explore the inside of the Court House!


Mommy and Daddy were a little Disappointed in how Little they remembered from History Class, guess we will be reading a little more before the next Battle Site!