June, 2017 Mississippi, Tennessee- Day 2

Mile 365- Our first stop of the Day was The University of Mississippi. We walked around the beautiful historic campus.  It was important that we show the children The Grove. We want to make sure that they consider the tailgating options before they choose a college. We were walking by the school for manufacturing and I spotted one of Steve Penley’s paintings! We had to go in a check it out! Georgia artist represent! 

This Guy! 

Tiny ant children check out another SEC school

Future Rebs?

Mile 378- World’s Largest Cedar Bucket-This beauty was nestled in the parking lot of a now defunct cedar furniture company. Apparently, when the former World’s Largest Cedar Bucket (it was in Murpheesboro, TN) burned to the ground, this bucket gained the title. The incident in Murpheesboro was ruled to be arson and the perp was never caught. (All eyes looking at you, WLCB Oxford, MS) The parking lot was littered with fallen limbs and leaves, but we couldn’t be deterred and stopped for a quick photo.

If  Miss World's Largest Cedar Bucket is unable to complete her reign, the crown will be passed on to the first runner up.

Mile 380-Now we are rolling down the road listening to Elvis Radio. We're going to Graceland!

Mile 435- GRACELAND! Now, I am not claiming to be a life-long Elvis fan, but friends, let me tell you it is easy to get caught up in the hoopla. I don’t know where to throw the credit, but someone has done a stellar job preserving and telling his story.  We’ve toured a ton of historic homes, but nothing from mid-century. It was so cool to see a home from that time period that is perfectly preserved. Every piece of Naugahyde and every fiber of shag rug was perfectly placed! Mirrors on the ceiling, they got that. Phones with cords, that too!  And. The Jungle Room. RAWER! Shag carpet on the floor AND the ceiling! You have arrived, E! We sprung for the extended tour that included his car collection and the outfits. This included a multitude of glittery full-body bell bottomed onesies with and with out coordinating capes. The costume collection included several exhibits from artists whose style was  influenced by Elvis. Including…KISS. Say What?  I just don't see it. 

I can't think of anything a 7 year old boy would rather be doing.

Welcome to the Jungle

If my friend Jennifer Brett had a Tab dispenser, she'd never leave home. 

Eau de Sweat and Barbiturates

Mile 445- We checked into our hotel.  And, headed to Beale Street

Mile 445.5- A. Schwabs- I’ve heard that if this place doesn’t have what you are looking for, then it ain’t worth having! It houses a wide range of wares from rock candy to tarot cards and just about everything in between. Since our lunch consisted of snacks in the car, we were glad they had a soda fountain and we delighted in the banana and peanut butter milkshake, Salud to our homie, EP!

Just my size!

Mile 446- The Peabody Hotel- For almost 90 years the Peabody Ducks have been traipsing in and out of the hotel lobby via the elevator. There is quite a bit of pageantry that surrounds this tradition and we joined the throngs of tourists to see these five little ducks hop out of the fountain and waddle down the red carpet and into the elevator and back up to their roof top penthouse. It is a Memphis tradition and we were tickled to be a part of it!

 

Mile 447- Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous Restaurant- This fixture of Memphis barbecue has been around for 60 years and it did not disappoint. I especially loved the feel of this place. It feels real old. Mr. Vergo, aside from being the BBQ king, was also a collector of “treasure” and has it lovingly displayed on every square inch of this fine establishment.

 

Collection of arrowheads which Mr. Know-it-all told me all about

Mr. Know-it-all had less to impart about this collection of Hummel Figurines

If it's good enough for Rick Dees, it's good enough for us!

Mile 450- Pyramid- After we returned to our hotel after dinner we quickly discovered that the children weren’t quite ready to go to bed. To put it mildly, they were bouncing off the walls and we knew that some energy needed to be expended. Also, we were trying to save their precious necks from a good wringing. There is this odd building in Memphis that we noticed on the way in. It is a pyramid. Like the kind you’d see in Egypt, only made of steel and housing a Bass Pro Shop. Just like the one in Cairo! We’d never been to a Bass Pro Shop inside a big ol' pyramid, so we set off on a nice long evening walk along the banks of the Mississippi. We learned upon entry that the pyramid houses the World’s Tallest Free Standing Elevator! And you can ride it! And, step out on a glass floor 350 feet above the earth! Gulp. Mr. Bullington and the girls were up for the adventure, whilst Master Thomas and I stayed with our feet firmly planted. Which gave us a chance to see a live alligator and touch every toy gun that they offered for sale.

Really tall faux trees

 

Top O' Bass Pro

Mile 454- We made it back to the hotel just in time for a nightcap on the rooftop bar. They had snacks for the kids and some live music. There are worse ways to end a day.