Cross Country 2015: Linda: Memphis and more driving

July 6, 2015

Memphis, TN

Wow! Memphis is an amazing city! Arrived at Graceland around 9:30 and took the platinum tour which included his cars. We saw the bottom floor of his house, his basement, the carport, the back yard, stables, the trophy rooms, the racquetball court and the meditation garden and pool. The meditation garden is where his grave is. I admit I am not really an Elvis fan but it is hard not to be moved by the experience of walking through this man's house and seeing his grave.

After Graceland we had lunch and then walked through his car museum where I found my sister's dream car (see below)!

John and the girls then went on the airplane tour and then we left around 2.

After Graceland we went to the National Civil Rights Museum. We stayed until they closed at 6pm and there was just too much. I could have stayed another few hours to see and read everything and I learned SO much that I didn't know. The NCRM is in the Lorraine Motel, which is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was shot and killed. I highly recommend this museum for anyone that is interested in either him or civil rights in general. It was really a great museum!

After the NCRM, the family drove down to Beale Street. Beale Street is a street in downtown Memphis that starts at the Mississippi River and goes inland (east) for about 2 miles or so. Coyote Ugly is there along with a lot of other bars and restaurants. We ate at the Blues City Cafe and it was SO good! I was impressed with Emily as she tried the shrimp gumbo and said she loved it! After that we decided to go to the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid; which is a HUGE glass pyramid store! We took the elevator to the top and looked around. We had a beautiful view!

July 7, 2015

Pack up / Drive to Checotah, OK

Woke up around 6:30 and ran 3 miles. Today is my first day of marathon training! I signed up for the Outer Banks Marathon in November with my brother in law. Yes, I know I'm crazy!

Took the girls to the Memphis KOA pool while John was packing up (he told me to). We left the campground around 10:30 and drove to Little Rock, AK. This is where we stopped for lunch. I went to the William Clinton Presidential Library while John took the girls to MacArthur Park to play.

After lunch, we drove on to Checotah, Oklahoma (home to Carrie Underwood). We arrived around 9pm and set up camp. Tomorrow we are off to Oklahoma City and then on to Amarillo, TX.

Good night all!