Last day in Nashville & Memphis 2014

September 8, 2014

View from Peabody Hotel

Les Paul Guitars made by Gibson

Headed out around 8:30, wanted to get to Mud Island and have enough time to look around before our 11:15 tour of Gibson Guitars.   Low and behold, Mud Island is closed on Mondays!!!!   So disappointing.

Now we have to waste time before our tour, so we head to Beale street.   On weekdays, they close Beale street to traffic at 5:00 PM but there was very little on it today.   You are allowed to walk up and down the street with a dink in hand if you so desire!!!

We looked in several of the shops, looking in the oldest store in Memphis, A. Schwab.  This store is famous for saying if they don't have it, you don't need it!!!

Orpheum Theater

Clyde Hopkins, godfather of the blues

The Peabody Hotel is just up the street, so we headed there.   This hotel is famous for the ducks that live on the rooftop.  Every day they are lead down the elevator, to the fountain in the main lobby at 11:00 AM, where they spend the day until they're lead back to their home on the rooftop at 5:00 PM.  We did not get to see them in action as we had the tour coming up, but did get to see them on the roof.  There is on male and 4 female mallard ducks.  The head duckmasteir "Doug" was on the roof, and gave us a history lesson about Memphis.   We had a tremendous view of the city from this roof top.  Even though we did not get to see the ducks in action, the view was well worth it.

Gibson Guitars is about 3 blocks from the Peabody.  Once we arrived, we looked inside the store, you can buy a variety of Gibson Guitars.  The most famous on is the Les Paul.  We then took the guide lead tour.   Interesting how they make them....I loved all the colors they offer!   Yellow, black, red, purple, white!  Surprisingly most of the employees are not musically inclined!

Next we headed back to Beale street to find some lunch.  Ate at BB Kings, had BBQ, very good.  While walking to BB Kings, we met Clyde Hopkins, godfather of the blues.  I say he was in his late 80's.   He was standing beside his name on the sidewalk.  Obviously he a famous blues player, I just did not know him.

We then walked down and looked at the muddy Mississippi!  It is big and might, just like they say.

Walked back to car and headed for home.   By now we are hot & tired and just want air conditioning.  Later we so swimming, so nice to cool off in the pool.  Tomorrow we leave Tenn and head into Arkansas.



September 7, 2014

Graceland Entrance

Front of the Graceland

Graceland is just steps away from us so today we toured the entire facility. We arrived at 9, in hopes of
beating the crowds, which we did.  Got seats on the 1st tour bus.  Even though we are at Graceland, the mansion is directly across the street but instead of walking, the bus you to the front door.

Prior to boarding the bus, the gave each of us an ipad, which is actually your tour guide.  Once you arrive at the front door, it starts describing each room, giving you the details plus allows you to view videos, listen to short stories, etc about Elvis and his life.

Living Room

Lisa Marie & Priscilla

It's amazing how much stuff they have at Graceland,  Think they said they have over 10 million items, of which only 10% are displayed.  Besides the furnishings, you see his albums, outfits, the stables, billiards room and the cemetery.     It's nothing what I anticipated, I thought it would be a huge mansion with many rooms, even though it's two stories, it's more like a ranch home.  I guess for the 60's, it was elaborate.   I must say, the colors (very bold) were beautiful just not something I would/could live with!!!

Once we finished the tour of the house, we returned to the other side of the street where you get to see more articles, movies, videos, his car collection, etc. on Elvis' life.   Best part for me, you hear his music everywhere!   You'd better be an Elvis lover, otherwise you'd get tired of hearing his songs.

In the Record Room..you can see the ipad on Bobby

Elvis & the hounddog

On these grounds you get to see Lisa Marie Airplane along with a jet he used to travel across the country.   The Lisa Marie has a queen size bed and the seat belts are gold!!!

You can buy anything form records, clothes, nicknacks, etc. at this facility....Elvis fans go nuts here!!

The entire tour took us about 4 hrs, so afterwards we came home, had lunch and then went swimming.  In the pool, you hear Elvis music.   It's kind of cool swimming to Elvis!!!

September 6, 2014


Left Nashville around 8:00 AM and headed west....getting closer to home!   I-40 is a horrible road on this section, lots of pot holes!   Surprised we did not break some dishes.

Arrived at Graceland RV park at around noon, it's supposed to rain heavy, so we' elected to stay in.   I did walk over to Graceland, it's next door, about 2 blocks away.  You can see it if we step outside and look around the back of the coach.   They have lots of stores to look thru, so we'll do that tomorrow while taking our tour.   I did go into the Heart Break Hotel...nothing special and the Rock-n-roll cafe, again, nothing special.   Excited however to tour Graceland tomorrow.

Came back to the coach, watching the Oregon game....go Ducks!!


September 5, 2014

Last day in Nashville so we decided we'd do laundry so this will be our last trip to the laundromat for this trip.   We should be home around the 15th.

After the laundry, we decided to head to the Opry Mills Mall, where we saw the movie "the November Man".   It's very action packed, good movie, would recommend it!

We decided to waste time walking around the mall before we had to be at 7 PM.   I bought a pair of shorts and a top at IZOD.   Had a $10 coupon so my total purchase cost me $12....great deal!!!

Arrived at the Opry at about 6:45, found our seats, great seats.   We were in section 13, rows, seats 3 & 4.  Had an unobstructed view of the stage, we were in the first row of this sections.   The rows are a little tight, if someone wanted to get in or out, it was difficult, even if you stood up.   Otherwise, they were perfect!

I loved hearing all the old musicians, Jim Ed Brown, Whispering Bill Anderson, John Connelly, Restless Heart, these were just a few of the artists that appeared.  They have 4 sessions, each having 3 artists.   The Opry is a live radio show, so in between sessions, you hear the radio announcer talking about the sponsors.

We'd certainly come back again.   Note: drinks at the Opry are very expensive...beer was $6.25 and call drink, $10.