Dec 2-5 Nashville/Memphis

Made it!! We are goin' to Graceland, Graceland, 

Wednesday 5^th Dec 2012  ---- Off we go to Graceland, singing all the way. It did not disappoint… as cheesy as we expected, but very interesting. I had no idea that Elvis was a twin. His twin brother was still-born. His lifestyle was very opulent, but the ‘mansion’ is not as big as I expected. It was originally a country property, but is now surrounded by houses and is not in a very pleasant part of town.After we were Elvised-out, we were going to head downtown, but traffic and hunger changed our minds and we headed to a restaurant that a lady at the post office said we shouldn’t miss…. Always listen to the locals. We went to Dales Restaurant in Southaven, Mississippi for some home cooked southern food… catfish, chicken fried chicken, lima beans, corn bread, purple peas, candied yams… the list goes on. Needless to say our wimpy northern senior appetites, couldn’t take it and we ended up carrying most of it in containers back to camp.. enough for the next few days!!!!! They sure know how to eat down here.

Dales... good

For anyone heading to Memphis in an RV I would recommend Jellystone RV park. It is unbelievably clean. Large concrete pads with picnic tables on the patio area and a fire pit.  It is a city type RV park, so not secluded, but perfect for a trip to Memphis or for just an overnight passing through.

Back at camp I managed to attend my book club via Skype… that was great fun and quelled a little of the homesickness that is creeping up on me occasionally. I was surprised that Patt E made it there without my expert navigation (albeit at the wrong time!!) Well done girl!! Derek decided to put a wash-load in as the camp laundry is quite impressive (and so is he!!!).

Gold and platinum records .. everywhere

And everwhere

Lounge with Music room at the back.

Tourists in the Jungle room.

Red Wine? White Wine?

Private jet (he had 2)

At the head of the headstone

Eileen had some stories to tell..

His Mom's Pink Caddy   

Tuesday 4^th Rain … made packing up a little less relaxing. Headed down toward Memphis and took a longer route so we could drive about 30 Miles on the Natchez Trace which is an old Indian/trade route through the forest. The road runs parallel to it and we were fortunate to stop at a rest stop where the trace crosses the roadway. The terrain is beautiful, but not quite as awe-inspiring as parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway through Pennsylvania. To its credit though, there is very little commercialism and tourist traps to be found along the way, which is refreshing.

Back on I40 for the rest of the trip to Memphis, Tennessee. Actually camped across the State Line in Mississippi at Jellystone RV park… fabulous spot to drop by for a couple of days; clean, concrete and modern and only 7 miles from Graceland which is the main reason we are here. Hopped out for some groceries and wine and noted that Canadian Club Rye is only $10/bottle.. less than half the price that we pay in Canada. Bought some Mississippi-style Egg Nog as a festive treat… $8/bottle.. and holy moly it is fabulous!!!!
Monday 3^rd December really was a camp day… much needed rest and relaxation and one sorted cupboard. Lovely day to sit in the sun and read. As Derek said, it felt like the first real day of retirement. Missing house and family a little.



Sunday 2nd Dec 2012
 Spending the day gathering our senses and basking in the warm weather (70 degrees today)..  Went  to see the Grand Ole Opry complex.  While we are mostly drawn to mountains, rivers and lakes, I must say that the gargantuan Opry Hotel complex is impressive. It took us close to an hour to wander round, click a few photos, point, stare and generally act like the tourists that we are.

Bad asses I met in the Opry Hotel

Also, it is all decked out for Christmas, which brought the best out in me. The ‘condo’ has one, measly looking ‘Merry Christmas’ sign up, which was all we felt we had room for. I may be forced to buy something a little more festive over the next few days.  We took the obligatory photos at the Grand Ole Opry

Yes they are real poinsettias

getting in the Christmas spirit

No Derek... not yet!!!... HUGE TREE!!

Air Guitar at the Grand Ole Opry... a Star is born!!!

Holding up my end of the music

BOOTS BOOTS BOOTS!!!!!

Shoes in Opry Mills... my Friend Hillary would love this store

and headed back to the condo to grab some food before heading out to see The Who in concert at the Bridgestone Arena….. Cab driver from Somalia gave us a lesson in African politics, which was most enlightening. He said he would wait for us after the show. We loved the show… Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend were both great and obviously having fun together, as were we!!! Well worth the price of admission. It was packed and after the show our trusty cab driver was waiting outside, fending off dozens of people who were desperate for a ride… another lesson in international relations and loyalty won him a big tip.