We left Columbus-Belmont a week early since Kimberly had 10 days off and we were getting cold. We were reserved at Tom Sawyer RV park for 2 weeks but they were able to find us a spot for the early week. After one week in site 112, we moved about 50ft. away to site 101; right on the Mississippi. This place is awesome.
Tom Sawyer RV park is in West Memphis, AK but we could see Memphis, TN from our spot here on the river. We were less than 30 minutes from all the highlights which was perfect for sunsets, sunrises, and barge watching. This RV park has treehouses throughout the park. I did not even know that when I booked it but what an awesome surprise! I love treehouses and Kimberly sort of loves them?
We started being tourists almost immediately upon arrival. We went to Graceland…yes we did. Graceland was certainly interesting in a music history sort of way. I learned a lot about Elvis, who was never a favorite entertainer of mine but Kimberly got to pick that days events so we did a lot of Elvis. Graceland is actually in a run down area of Memphis so imagine $10 parking and $75 per person tickets. We did hit the famous Central BBQ for amazing ribs.
The next day we spent at The Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Motel, where MLK was assassinated. Another completely historical account of the Civil Rights movement. Being raised in Atlanta, I saw so many familiar faces of Atlanta’s history.
We did a 90 minute musical Mojo tour on a bus through Memphis. The docent, along with her guitar, sang songs pertaining to what we were seeing out the window of the bus. It was an awesome way to see some hidden treasures that we most definitely wouldn’t have found. She sang everything from Johnny Cash, to Elvis, to Jerry Lee Lewis and many more. It was a fun way to see Memphis while highlighting some key facts about the history of rock and roll and the Blues.
Speaking of the Blues, we went to BB Kings Blues and BBQ. We listened to live Blues music and ate great food and cold beers and sang and clapped and carried on. What a blast!
Beale Street is the heart of Memphis so we spent one day just roaming around Beale Street. We ended up eating Soul Food that day at Blues City for catfish, hush puppies, collard greens, and ribs. Whew! Good thing it’s been nice walking and bike riding weather or I, for one, would weigh 300 pounds.
So I still haven’t even mentioned the absolutely hands down best part about being in Memphis for 3 weeks. I got to see and visit and laugh and catch up with my very best friend from high school TWICE. Ellen and I were inseparable in high school and in many ways, Ellen saved my life. (She says I saved hers too but ?…)I could write an entire book on Ellen and I. My Dad loved Ellen and Ellen’s Dad loved me so all of our mischief was under the watchful eyes of our Dads. The thing I enjoy the most about my visits with Ellen are all the memories we share and all the laughs we have are absolutely happy and funny events that happened when we were together. We were two inseparable teenagers that were happy together being happy together. We weren’t trouble, we were kind and mentored those under our wings on our sports teams.
We even sang onstage at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, at our high school graduation. That is the same auditorium that I saw The Partridge Family and The Jackson Five in and the same auditorium that hosted Friday Night Wrestling…you know, the fake kind. The two of us stood up on that stage with our guitars and sang our graduation song, that I had written, to the packed house of classmates, parents, teachers and guests. For 5 minutes we were rock stars.
Memphis has been a pleasant surprise. Kimberly thinks this has been one of her favorite stops out of 16 stops so far and that’s saying a lot. I think we like being within 30 minutes of a fairly populated area with sites to see and great food and music. Our next stop is New Orleans after a one night stay off of I-55 for shorter drive days. Catch you on the flip side of NOLA!
CoBro + 1 with Yolo and the TOAD 
I can’t catch up with you guys! I’m a good week behind. So great you’re seeing new cities/places and having such a blast. Living vicariously through your blog. You guys have probably spent too much time at St Park campgrounds if Memphis looks good! I’m sure it has its redeeming qualities BUT $75 for the Elvis house tour??? Guess maintenance ain’t cheap. Travel safe
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