The Tourists - Sites, Sand and Sea Edition

Part 1 - Days 1 & 2, Memphis TN

(there are links where the words are underlined)

We decided to leave after I got off work on Thursday and drive a little ways.  We're glad we did so we had a little more time in Memphis. Memphis is a place we had talked about visiting on several occassions and since this was on our way to our main destination (the Gulf Coast) - we decided a couple of days there to check it out would be great.

At the Welcome Center right off the interstate:

 We arrived in Memphis on Day 1 around lunchtime. We parked across the street from the Gibson Guitar Factory.  We took the tour (no pictures/cell phones allowed).  We were in awe of the work that goes into making one of those beautiful guitars.

After our tour, we walked to Beale Street (if you want to drink and party - this is YOUR place!). We had a late lunch at Dyer's Burgers. We had seen it on Food Network and were really looking forward to it.  We were VERY disappointed in the food!

We walked a little further to the Peabody Hotel - it is an amazingly beautiful hotel. Our main purpose....to see the ducks in the fountain. They were very unbothered by anyone who was nearby and taking pictures.

The weather that day was HOT, humid and VERY summery!

Day 2 found us starting our day with a trolly ride along the river. 

 Then on to Mud Island.  We took a monorail car to the park. They have a 5 block long model of the Mississippi River that you can wade in - which DD thoroughly enjoyed doing - that ends at....

 the Gulf of Mexico (which overlooks Memphis)

We had lunch at Interstate BBQ. This was pretty good BBQ - DS really liked the BBQ spaghetti and DH & DS both liked the sausage link.

 And we DID end up at Graceland...it was quite accidental. We were just going to "drive by" and take some pictures of the house but I accidentally pulled into the pay lot. So we figured, what the heck. We hemmed and hawed about taking the tour - fearing it being really cheesy.  We were very pleasantly surprised!  It was interesting, we saw a lot and all enjoyed it (despite the heat).

 Graceland Living/Music Room: 

 DD's favorite Elvis costume:

After a swim at the hotel to cool off and relax, it was time for dinner!!!!!!!!!! Neely's BBQ

You know them (from Food Network: Gina & Pat) - I love their show and was REALLY looking forward to the food. O-M-G, it was really bad!  The meat had no flavor at all (not even smoky). DD wanted the mac & cheese and our waitress said that the cook had "messed it up" that day so they didn't have any...

We were disappointed!

We went to bed early because we were getting an early start the next day....

(stay tuned for further adventures)

PS:  These are quilt patterns that are outside the City building in Memphis. They are made from cut up street/road signs. I thought it was really cool!