GRACELAND is a place that everyone should visit. Not only because Elvis lived such a fabulous life, but also because it is wonderful to see how people from all over the world worship him, even after being gone for 30 years. Elvis was so talented. We got to hear so much of his music, got to see so many clips from his movies and concerts. That boy could move! He had that special something that just made him so special -- a real star. He was the king. And he still is – especially in Memphis!
Elvis' Living Room with stained-glass peacock inserts in the doorway:
We took the PLATINUM tour, which is a great way to see the full Graceland experience. It includes an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion and grounds, along with self-guided tours of Elvis’ two custom airplanes, Elvis’ Automobile Museum, the Sincerely Elvis Museum, which has beautiful displays of his clothing and jumpsuits, and Elvis After Dark, which showed even more memorabilia.
A handsome portrait of Elvis graces the staircase to the bedrooms (which were off limits to visitors) and his elegant dining room:
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Elvis knew how to live. That’s for sure. He had a fabulous mansion, all the toys a boy could want, including many cars, motorcycles, scooters, golf carts and trikes, which were all on view at the Automobile Museum. His two airplanes were completely gutted and renovated, so that they were more a house with wings, including full bedrooms, televisions, living rooms and fancy bathrooms.
Elvis' blue and yellow Media Room complete with three televisions (so he could watch all three major networks at once) and the lightening bolt he used as his logo (with the initials TCB, which stood for Taking Care of Business!):
His grounds included a meditation garden and a small cemetery, where Elvis, his parents, his grandmother, and his brother (who died at birth) are buried. There was also a shooting range, stables with horses (which were on view), a beautiful built-in pool, and beautiful lawns and landscaping.
Elvis' pool room, which was draped on all four walls and the ceiling with a colorful fabric:
His trophy room included hundreds of trophies, awards, and gold and platinum records.
Elvis is so beloved that every year around the time of his birthday and the anniversary of his death, people from all over the world send floral arrangements – both real and silk or plastic, along with photos, portraits, and other expressions of their adoration. It was really quite touching.
They showed a lot of interviews with Elvis, and he really seemed like such a nice boy. Always respectful, well-spoken, and even a little shy. Eric and I came away with a new-found respect and admiration for his talent and his humanitarian work, which you don’t hear too much about. It is a shame that he fell into the world of drugs and that his life ended way too soon.
After spending the entire day at Graceland, we went back to the RV and took a 2-hour nap, then did two loads of laundry before heading back out. We walked over to the HEARTBREAK HOTEL, which is right by the campground, and had a drink in the JUNGLE ROOM (while we watched more concert footage of Elvis).
Then, we got on the free shuttle to the famous (or should I say infamous) BEALE STREET in downtown Memphis (Home of the Blues…Birthplace of Rock N’ Roll). This area felt just like the French Quarter in New Orleans, but it is only 3 blocks long. There are about 40 bars and restaurants in this 3-block area and each one has live music.
Eric and I saw a bridal party at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Here's a bride in the middle of Beale Street (on her phone, no less!):
There were also tons of souvenir shops. The street is closed to traffic (with a large police presence) and the streets are crowded with people drinking (all drinks are served in plastic cups and syringes (I know, it was strange) and you are allowed to carry your drinks around with you. They have horse and carriage rides, just like in New Orleans, and New York. It was fun, colorful and exciting! Even though I always thought New York was the most exciting city in the world, we don't have anything like the French Quarter or Beale Street!
We went to ALFRED’S ON BEALE for dinner and more drinks (hey – we’re on Beale Street) and then walked around until the shuttle bus came to pick us up at 11:30pm.
The view from our second-floor outdoor seating at Alfred's:
Beale Street's Finest:
We have a LONG day of driving tomorrow, as we are going through Arkansas and into Oklahoma (about 6 hours). We will try to pass through Little Rock. I always think of Marilyn Monroe when I see or hear “Little Rock,” because of that song she sang with Jane Russell in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES – “Two Little Girls From Little Rock.” So, that should be fun!
