At 5:15 am on Sunday morning Alex and I hit the road for New Orleans. With a 15-hour drive ahead of us, we decided to make the trip a little more enjoyable by stopping by Graceland. (The original radio version of "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" on c.d. also helped). Chanting “Graceland or Bust” we made amazing time, pulling in to Memphis, Tennessee at 12:55pm.
We bought our tickets and first toured through the Graceland Mansion on a wonderful audio guided tour.
Just as interesting as the Elvis memorabilia was the fact that the house had been permanently frozen in the 70’s. While in the house we saw the living room
the dining room,
the room where Elvis’ parents lived (completed with poodle wallpaper),
the basement t.v. room,
the pool table room,
and the infamous Jungle Room.
Other highlights included the hallway of gold records,
the “racquetball” court,
the museum of Elvis Presley owned cars (which Alex drooled over)
and a tour of Elvis’ private jets that included golden sinks and seatbelts.
We were also able to see all of the most famous costumes Elvis wore while performing, and while Alex disagrees, I think he would look quite fetching in any number of the rhinestone studded suits previously worn by the King.
Following our trip around Graceland we resumed our trip to New Orleans at 2:30. At around 8pm (after an hour and a half long dinner at the Cracker Barrell) we decided we’d spend the night at a cheap motel along the side of the road. At $39/night we thought we were getting a great bargain. The sign indicating that "no refunds are issued after the first 10 minutes in a room" should have been a major tip off. This was easily the filthiest room either of us has ever set foot in. After a couple minutes of inspecting, Alex declared that we were leaving. After returning the toilet paper (yes, they “checked out” toilet paper to us) we left and decided to drive on straight through to New Orleans. (Though we both felt "itchy" for the next hour).
Even though we pulled in at 10pm and were absolutely exhausted, we still thought it necessary to see what the city had to offer us. Our hotel, located 2 blocks from Bourbon street easily facilitated our little jaunt.
Alex found Bourbon street entertaining...
and after a traditional Hurricane drink...
that was WAY too strong....
we settled in at a great little bar with an amazing jazz band that played all night.
This morning we began our day with Beignets from Café Dumond.
After getting harassed by a would-be shoe-shinner that squirted Alex's shoes with some substance out of nowhere, insisting he get paid to rub it off, we strolled around the city stopping in to little shops. We both instantly fell in love with a painting and decided that it had to be purchased. Thankfully, I just had my birthday and Grammy, Grandma and Grandpa and David and Barry purchased the painting for me! (Thanks for the $$!!) I’m sure you’ll agree that this is an awesome painting that clearly belongs in the home of Alex and Tamara.
For lunch we strolled over to the Gumbo Shop for amazing Creole fair including gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice and shrimp creole.
That afternoon involved more walking, including a trip to Mardi Gras World to see previous floats
and the French Market to sample southern Pralines.
For dinner we had amazing southern comfort food. Lots of pork, etc., etc., etc.
