Memphis

Just to take a couple-day respite, I went to Memphis, Tennesee with a couple travel buddies.  It's just a four-hour drive from our home in Southern Illinois, so we were able to pack in quite a bit in during our two-day trip.

Leaving bright and early Wednesday morning, we arrived in Memphis about 11:30, just in time for lunch.  We dined at the Little Tea Shop, located downtown.  I must tell you, this was the most divine dining experience I've had in all the world.  We arrived at the end of the lunch rush, but the place was still packed.  Our waitress was an absolute delight; she made us feel like we were eating at her family table.  The menu consisted of traditional Southern cookin' and so much to choose from -- it was hard to make a decision!  I opted for okra and tomatoes, collard greens and a side salad, remembering my Southern grandmother.

  We were also served complementary corn fritters which were to die for; we finished up with peach cobblera la mode - delicious!

Our afternoon proceeded with my mandatory visit to Graceland.  My co-travelers really did not want to visit Elvis' home, but I insisted - I could not go to Memphis and not pay homage to the king of rock and roll (mind you, I'm not much of an Elvis fan, but I do enjoy his music).  Judy and I toured the estate - Jordan refused, and sat in the gift shop.  I am so glad we did.  Although I was not as impressed as what I thought I'd be, I left with a greater appreciation for Elvis, an American icon.  The tour does an excellent job of explaining the mansion and Elvis' life and career.  The entire place has been frozen in time; it's like being transported to the 1970s.

  My favorite room was the jungle room, complete with indoor waterfall.  Of course, we paid our respects at Elvis' gravestone; a somber visit.

Next on our agenda was the Peabody Hotel, to witness the duck parade.  We arrived early, to claim a spot right beside the red carpet for the 5:30 procession.  It was QUITE a spectacle.  Hundreds of people line the red carpet, fountain, and balcony to watch the ducks strut the red carpet from the fountain to the elevator, led by the Duckmaster. (It was cute, though, one little boy asked the Duckmaster if he rode the elevator with the ducks.  He responded, Of course! The ducks can't push the button!)

No trip to Memphis would be complete without authentic BBQ.  Hundreds of barbecue joints to choose from, we went to legendary Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous.

  Now, I'm not a fan of BBQ (nor pork, for that matter), but the pulled pork shoulder was quite good.  The sauce made it even tastier.  Funny thing - Judy asked for unsweet tea, which was met with a strange look by our seasoned waiter - I explained that we were in the South and she would be drinking sweet tea, which we all did.

We spent the evening on Beale Street.  It was raining, so it was relatively quiet down the famed avenue.  We hit the Hard Rock Cafe (I'm a collector - this make #13) and souvenir shopped.  Jordan and I ducked into Rum Boogie, but we were too early for the live entertainment, so he had a couple drinks.  We found Judy then, and went back to our hotel for the night.

DAY 2

I got up early Thursday morning so I could go to the zoo ( I was going to have to go by myself, these two DID NOT want to traipse around the zoo).

  I wanted to see the panda bears.  When I got to the lobby, though, IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN.  So I opted to stay in, not wanting to tour the zoo in the miserable weather.  I waited for Judy and Jordain to get around.  We took the trolley, giving ourselved a self-guided tour of Memphis - pointing out landmarks like St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Arcade Restaurant, and the Lorraine Motel.  We then went to the Gibson Guitar Factory in order to tour their facilities.  Too late for the noon tour, we had to wait for the one o'clock.  The tour was interesting, showing us guitar production from start to finish.  But, the most interesting part wasn't even included in the tour -- while wasting time in the guitar shop, I listened to some fourteen-year-old kid strum the guitars, making beautiful music.

By the time the tour ended, it was past two o'clock and we were STARVING.  We went to Huey's which promised the best burgers in town.  Not having anything to compare them to, I don't know if this is true, but there were good. 

From here, we went to Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock and roll, home to Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.  I lovingly called it the Music Mecca.  We toured the Studio, which I HIGHLY recommend.  Our guide was a spunky, young twenty-something, who really made the tour come alive.  It's like Johnny and Elvis were standing in the (original) recording room with us.  I  thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

From Sun Studio, we began our four and a half hour drive back home.

  A perfectly nice two days was practically ruined by this journey.  Jordan insisted on singing incessantly along with the radio - to the Jonas Brothers.  It's okay if fourteen-year-old girls listen to them, but I do NOT want to be trapped in the car with this music blaring in my ears.  I crammed my fingers into my ears, but still could not drown out the noise.  And he decided to badmouth truckdrivers - knowing that I grew up in a truck (my dad owns a trucking company, and I've always been a part of it).  Looking back, I try to not think about this part of the trip, because it was a nice, quick getaway!