Graceland

[sixdogsmom]

I have just spent a very busy month with several firsts for me. The first one was a Christmas trip taken for pleasure only. The first leg was spent on a leisurely drive through the Ozarks where we stayed the night at a very nice place in Mountain Home. It was about 15 degrees when we left here but the magnolias and chrysantemums were in full bloom there. Some of the trees still had their foilage making the drive very beautiful. Had my very first Jacuzzi bath at the motel, and they had a full brekfast the next morning. I had strawberry waffle and sausage, good! When we left there we let Nancy, (the lady who lives in the GPS), plot our course through the mountains. There had been a freezing fog the night before so everything was covered with white frosting. Very beautiful and it put you in the mood for Christmas. The motel was beautifully decorated and when we got outside, all the flowers were coated with that gorgeous layer of frost. Luckily it wasn't cold enough for the roads to be slick, and I enjoyed that drive immensely. Nearly every radio station was playing Christmas music and that set the mood even more.

We arrived in Mississippi early in the afternoon, and stopped at a casino just on the other side of that great river. No luck there and I didn't expect to win anything. Just spent my usual piddling amount but enjoyed seeing that gorgeous place all dressed up for the holidays. From there we drove north to Tunica. That county in Mississippi had been one of the poorest in the state until the casinos came. Now Tunica has huge new schools, hospitals, and parks. Quite a turnaround for that area. We stayed at The Resorts where the price was right at only $19.50 per night. Nice room and nice place all around. We gambled a little and ate at their buffet that night. I can't say that the food was really good, but acceptable. The next day we went to  Ballys', hoping to have a late breakfast of those scrumptious crepes I had there last spring. But No such luck. They had stopped having breakfast until business picked up after the first of the year. We stayed awhile, then went to Harrahs where I found that I could spend some of my credit card points at the Paula Dean buffet. Needless to say we ate a late lunch there. I had some of the best prime rib I have ever eaten. Also tried and liked shrimp and grits. Went back for a second helping of prime rib along with fresh fruit. For dessert I had bread pudding with some kind of rum sauce. Yummers! But I was full to bursting after all that great food. And that called for a nap. Wasn't hungry for supper so we got all gussied up and visited Sams' Town. They gave me a t-shirt which I will probably never wear, and I lost a bracelet somewhere that night. It was the first time I had worn it although I had it for a long time. Too bad, it was a pretty nice piece of sterling. The next morning we went back and checked the lost and found. I left my name and address just in case it turned up. The next morning we went to the Fiitz for breakfast where I had another 'first'. I am totally in love with cheese blintz. I had two helpings of that along with bacon and fresh fruit and grits of course. Then off to Graceland.

I was a little nervous about driving in Memphis but Nancy got us there without any problems at all. I have one caveat about Graceland, bring money! Everything is sooooooo expensive. It cost ten dollars just to park! But we had coupons we got at the casino so it only cost eight.  Parking is on one side of Elvis Presley Blvd and the home on the other with a traffic light between. After you pay the $36.00 admission you get on a tour bus and they give you a headset with all the tour information prerecorded. That way you can tour at your leisure. It is a grand old mansion with the big pillars in front flanked by numerous cammilias and magnolias. The grounds are immaculate so you can see where some of that big price goes. After entering the front hall, you see the grand staircase and it was all lined with poinsettias for the holidays. You can see a picture of that on the Elvis website. The living room is to the right, almost overpowered by a huge long white sofa that Elvis had made to accomodate all his 'Memphis Mob'. The fireplace at the far wall was decorated for Christmas and a large aluminum tree was set up in the corner of the room. To the left was the dining room with a huge table and buffet. Impressive house, but smaller than I might have imagined for a star of his magnitude. Upstairs is off limits as that was private for the family and remains so. The kitchen was smaller than I would have guessed to serve all that retinue. I can imagine that there were numerous people aroound most of the time. That must have gotten pretty tiring. We did see his parents' suite from the hallway and you could glimpse the bathroom with purple ceramic tile on the walls. We visited the playroom downstairs where there were three televisions so that Elvis could watch all three networks like Lyndon Johnson. There were pinballl machines and of couse records and sound systems. And a bar. All the vintage things he might want were there. The jungle room was something else, with a piano and guitars and recording equipment. And a bar as well as numerous leather chairs and oodles of fake greenery. It must be a total nightmare to clean. Elvis designed that room and had it built onto the back of the house. A part of the garage had been turned into display area for all his gold records, and believe me they were numerous. Lots and lots of Elvis music throughout. It made me a little teary eyed listening to all that old music. Then I realized the tears weren't for Elvis as much as for my own lost youth. Where did it go? They also had a lot of his clothing displayed such as his military uniform and the clothes they wore at the wedding. From the garage we went back into the yard and there were some of Lisa Maries' yard toys. Then the building that held the raquetball court. It has been turned into a display area for the costumes he wore on his famous last tours in Hawaii and Vegas baby. Along with film clips and music. I must admit that they looked better on him than on the manniquins.

Next came the kidney shaped pool and the horses, some of whom are descendants of his own horses. And then the meditation garden where Elvis is buried alongside his parents. It had been beautifully built and Elvis would have been proud to know how many people visit each day. His grave has flowers sent from all over the world, and new bouquets arrive every day from fans all over.

Then we got on board the shuttle and back across the street to see his cars and including a little Mercedes that he gave to Priscilla. And his first limo, that was something. Then we toured his planes, both a small craft and a big bruiser with lounges and a bedroom for him. That was pretty awesome. Then off to a gift shop where I was determined to buy something. I settled on a wallet with bling on one side and the TCB, (Taking Care Of Business), logo that Elvis had designed. It has Elvis Presley embroidered across the back. Now I have never spent thirty dollars on a purse in my life much less a wallet. But it cost that much and I bought it as a Christmas gift to myself. And I love it too. Very enjoyable day.

Then back to Tunica and to Harrahs again for supper. Paula Deens' buffet has some of the best fried shrimp I have ever eaten. So I had salad and shrimp and clams. Then some more shrimp topped off with more shrimp. Then a little of that wonderful bread pudding! I was stuffed needless to say. Then back to Resorts for a glass of wine and to watch the Griswold Family Christmas on TV. I have seen this movie several times and enjoy it every time I see it.

Next morning we left for home and took the fast track on I40 west. With me driving, and another first for me. I drove across the Mighty Mississippi without falling in or getting run over. We stopped in Arkansas for breakfast at McDees and changed drivers. Early that afternoon we changed again and I got to drive into Oklahoma and met rain. And more rain all the way through Tulsa where I stopped at a quick trip and took a little break. We changed drivers again and got here about 5:30 in the evening.We had supper at the Swinging Bridge. It was a grand trip and good to be home. The rest of the month will be told about another time.  The downside is that I gained five pounds! Wonder why? 

[Diane Amberg]

Thanks for taking me on that trip with you! You sure enjoyed it, huh? If I'd known you were going to Memphis, I'd have sent you to the Rendezvous for their dry rubbed baby back ribs... really special ,in a  little place downstairs, not too far from The Drake Hotel...not that you didn't already have lots of wonderful food! Thanks for sharing.

[Mom70x7]

What a lovely, wonderful trip. You're great with the descriptions! Memory-making! 

[sixdogsmom]

We had planned to go to Beal street hoping to hear some jazz but decided that we were too tired. The Graceland tour was enough for us old codgers after all. Maybe another time. Diane I will get instructions from you if we go back. I think I would enjoy Beal street more of it were a little warmer anyway. Kinda nippy that day! 

[greatguns]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.  Brings back many memories of when I went.

[Ms Bear]

Enjoyed the trip so much.  Have always wanted to go but haven't. 

[Ole Granny]

Enjoyed your trip, also!  Took my mother to Graceland many years ago.  We enjoyed it.  My picture was taken on the bench outside the mansion.  Mother always said it was her place since her name was Grace.  Looking forward to the rest of your trip!

[Diane Amberg]

I visited there too, many,many yeas ago.The memory garden with the pool was the only thing open then ,and it wasn't quite finished. The house and grounds weren't open yet either.I'd like to see it all now.