Martin Luther King Jr.

After eating we made our way over to the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Lorraine was one of the only a few hotels to which African American travelers could enjoy overnight accommodation while traveling during this segregated period leading up to the late 1960s in America.


















The museum chronicled key episodes of the American civil rights movement, which I found very interesting, if not a touch depressing.

Most fascinating was the inclusion of Room 306 at the Lorraine Hotel, that was worked into the museum as a glassed-in exhibit. Inside, it had been keep as it was on the evening of April 4, 1968. The 1959 Dodge and 1968 Cadillac under it are identical to the cars, in the same parking spaces, appearing in photographs taken moments after the shooting.

It is wonderful to have a greater understanding and appreciation of this movement.
















However we left feeling quite morbid , so it was time for one last hip shake in front of a bronzed Elvis before heading to the airport........thank you very much!

Arcade Cafe

On Monday we made our way to The Arcade, a diner that has the honor of being Memphis' oldest restaurant. It sits right in the mddle of the historic area and was like a trip back in time - complete with road trolleys!
















It is this old school and nostalgia has attracted photographers, artists, writers, and movie makers from around the world. Scenes from Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire, The Client, The Firm, 21 Grams, Elizabethtown, Walk the Line, and My Blueberry Nights, just to name a few!















However it is most famous for being Elvis's favorite diner, complete with his own booth!

His favorite meal was deep fried peanut butter sandwiches.............explains ALOT......
















............Hubba Hubba!















We settled for their famous sweet potato pancakes - yum!

Last Supper

Sunday night we enjoyed one last dinner together, Debbie & Susan were flying out early Monday and Patti & I were leaving late Monday afternoon.

We celebrated with dinner at Local Gastro Pub, located in the heart of downtown. I have to say all this was one of THE best pub experiences I have had in the US!

Going to a local pub is one of things I miss the most from home, and frankly America not only do you not understand the concept of the pub, you rarely pull it off.
















SO you can only imagine the joy of all the things I love at the same place at the same time! My favorite texan girls, good beer on tab, fab pub grub in the form of duck meets Mexican, good laughs and good times............what a way to end the weekend!

Gibson Guitars

After a long brunch, we headed to Gibson Guitars for a factory tour.

All of Gibson's bluegrass instruments, such as the banjo, mandolin and dobro are manufactured and made in Tennessee.



















Again, no one works an audio guide OR safety glasses like us!














It was fascinating to see the effort, skill and detail that goes into making each guitar. An odd choice for a tour seeing no one in the group plays the guitar.......?

Automatic Slims

What else to do in Memphis on a Sunday? Enjoy brunch, preferably with bacon and/or pork.

We hit Automatic Slims an uber cool fusion restaurant, that hosts fab fresh local food, infamous Popsicle martini's and a lively bar complete with blues music!



























Do we need more drinks at this point?














Seriously, where the hell is our bacon?

David Sedaris

Very late on Saturday night, we noticed David Sedaris walking thru the lobby.

Susan, a huge fan, rang after him and consequently ambushed him in the lift. I was instructed by Debbie to follow, by her claims " i am not drunk and too pregnant for this".

We asked for a photo, which he refused, so quick thinking alex snapped one from the waist down.............

.............with just enough time to exit the lift and avoid security.

Pig on Beale

Saturday night we headed to Beale Street, famous for its pork maisons, blues bands and drunken shenanigans.

We enjoyed dinner at the popular Pig on Beale.........




















........cosy in a booth...
















........with some drinks for the Susan and I.......
















.........and cold hard tap water for the pregnant ladies!

















We enjoyed wandering the streets, taking in the local sights .........





















............bars and guitars......

















........and generally just acting the fool y'all!





















It was then back to the Peabody for a night cap..........

















.........I was loving my Blue Suede Shoe Cocktail complete with rockin eye wear!