Sunday 02/07/16 A good nights sleep is NEVER overrated. It surely helped me enjoy our day even more.My last and only previous visit to Graceland was around Christmas time in 1978. My mom and dad were visiting me, when I lived in Millington TN. (a military gig). That was 3 years before the mansion was opened to the public, so only the memory garden was available to visit. As we were walking down the driveway on that, Vernon (Elvis’s dad was driving up to the mansion and he waved at us all, but specifically to my nine month old daughter who was riding on my dad’s shoulders.
Of course a trip to Graceland to visit Elvis’s grave was a must for my mom and I.
During my teenage years I was only allowed to stay up late on a school night if there was an Elvis movie on TV, and my mom and I would cuddle up to watch it. Those nights were beyond special, and even more so now looking back. The day Elvis passed away I was driving home from work when I heard the news and did not even wait to get home, but immediately pulled over to a pay phone booth to call my mom. This was obviously long before mobile phones and internet. My Mom had already heard the news and was crying, so I stood on the side of the road in a phone booth crying with my mother, mourning the passing of “our” Elvis.
When we arrived at Graceland this time I was amazed at the changes of the surrounding area, as no more slouchy souvenir shops and sleepy restaurants lined the road. Now Elvis Presley Boulevard is an Ode to the King. Everything is so organized, clean and yes Disney like.
We parked and as we got into the ticket line, a young lady in her 20’s approached us and asked us if we were going to Graceland and if we would like two free tickets. She had a hand full of them and she quickly explained that she and her friends purchased them in advance but would not be using them since most of her friends were too hungover from the night before. She was amazingly sweet to make a specific trip to the ticket building and offer these out as gifts to others. We truly felt honored that she singled us out and we told her so. I wish I had asked her name but honestly I was a little flustered and excited. Admission tickets range from $38 – $50 depending on the program you wish to purchase. We had everything included in these tickets except for a visit to Elvis’ two jet airplanes.
We went out to the buses that now carry you up to the mansion and received our iPads for our self guided tour. It is all very high-tech now.
I loved every second of the tour. They don’t tell you on the tour that the moment you walk in the house, you are immediately underneath the area where Elvis was found and I am thankful I did not know this until afterwards.
Our last stop before exiting the tour was the Memory Garden where he is laid to rest along with his family. I really tried my best not to cry, but the lump in my throat just became too big and I quietly cried in my own little world with memories of my mom, myself and Elvis, while terribly missing my mama. For just a few moments I felt her close by and it was comforting.
We strolled around the shops for a little while afterwards and I bought some postcards. I had wanted some earrings, but frankly there was little to no choice.
Then we headed over The Blues Hall of Fame Museum. Han is a huge fan of the blues and he can tell you more about it here because I was busy looking at my postcards and texting my youngest daughter who is also an Elvis fan due to me.Han’s note: The Blues Hall of Fame is definitely worth the $10 admission. It was not until the late spring of 2015 that the organization finally could open a permanent exhibit for America’s Most deeply rooted musical expression THE BLUES. It’s amazing how much money goes to entertainers and performers that all make their prosperity from the blues. This exhibit is however very high tech, very informative, with lots of props that made the blues famous and some guitars that I would give my right ear for. The website is http://www.blues.org/hall-of-fame/
Beale Street was next because we were hungry. We had a late lunch at BB Kings Blues Club. I have to admit that even though it’s a touristy area, the food was very good and our platters were full of fried catfish and ribs.
We tried the Gibson Guitar plant for a tour that afternoon, but considering that it was Super Bowl Sunday, there was little interest in touring the plant. Next time maybe….Because one thing is sure, Memphis deserves more than one of two days.
We were back at the hotel by 6:00pm, to relax and rest up before our drive to New Orleans tomorrow. The place was almost deserted.
Graceland Slideshow
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