On the way into Memphis' downtown, we had to swing by Graceland and pay our respects to "the King". Pierce and I didn't go onto the grounds, but it was a lot of fun to check out the souvenir shops and all of the Elvis fans that were out and about. We had a great time taking pictures. We moved on fairly quickly and before you know it we were in downtown Memphis. I have to say, I was not that impressed with the parts of Memphis that we went through, it seemed a bit dingy and rather mellow for there being so many storefronts lining the streets. In Memphis' defense it was also daytime so every flaw was completely visible. Pierce and I did give ourselves enough time to check out the Lorraine Motel (where Martin Luther King Jr was shot), Sun Records, the Gibson Guitar factory, we made ourselves lunch and then scooted on our way.
The heat and humidity I think had finally caught up to us and we were both pooped. We were lucky enough to find a great place to camp for a couple of nights before heading up into Nashville.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Since we left New Orleans...
we have traveled to another 12 or 13 states. Pierce and I were told to travel up the Natchez Trace Parkway through Mississippi and we are so glad that we took that advice. We have been blessed with some amazing vistas and green landscapes, but this experience was a little more than some of the "regular" roads.
(from the national park website):
What Is The Natchez Trace Parkway?
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history. Used by American Indians, "Kaintucks", settlers, and future presidents, the Old Trace played an important role in American history. Today, visitors can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping.
Pierce and I took our time and followed the Trace from Natchez to Tupelo, before heading over toward Memphis. The drive brought us through green pastures, thick wooded forests and across the path of a few animals and trillions of bugs. In addition to all of the natural beauty around us were dozens of turnouts with trails and exhibits that described and showed the history of the Trace. We even spent the night at one of the campsites in the Parkway, which was great for we because it meant that I could wash my hair (this sometimes doesn't get to happen as often as I would like).
Although the Parkway continued up through Alabama and into Nashville, we deviated at Tupelo and went onto Memphis but not without visiting Elvis' boyhood home, the diner he would hangout at and the hardware shop that we got his first guitar.
(from the national park website):
What Is The Natchez Trace Parkway?
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history. Used by American Indians, "Kaintucks", settlers, and future presidents, the Old Trace played an important role in American history. Today, visitors can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping.
Pierce and I took our time and followed the Trace from Natchez to Tupelo, before heading over toward Memphis. The drive brought us through green pastures, thick wooded forests and across the path of a few animals and trillions of bugs. In addition to all of the natural beauty around us were dozens of turnouts with trails and exhibits that described and showed the history of the Trace. We even spent the night at one of the campsites in the Parkway, which was great for we because it meant that I could wash my hair (this sometimes doesn't get to happen as often as I would like).
Although the Parkway continued up through Alabama and into Nashville, we deviated at Tupelo and went onto Memphis but not without visiting Elvis' boyhood home, the diner he would hangout at and the hardware shop that we got his first guitar.
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