Memphis

There are certain cities I've thought would be fun to go there and just see all the stuff they have. I've done that with Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Some cities are fairly big, but not very distinctive or interesting. Examples are, no offence to these fine cities, Portland, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City. Probably fine places to live, but not ones I would fly into just to see the city.

Here's an underrated destination - Memphis, Tennessee. I've thought that would be a cool place to go sometime. Instead of making a special trip there, though, it just happened to be on our way. What's there you ask? For starters how about Graceland, home of Elvis. You wouldn't have to be a big fan of his to find it pretty fascinating. I'll have to blog more about that next time. It deserves its own slot.

I had heard there was a civil rights museum there that is at the location of the former Lorraine Motel, where M.L.K. was assassinated. It turns out to be true. Its very well done and very interesting. I spent about three hours there and could have spent more. Across the street there are more exhibits including the location of where James Earl Ray shot. (I feel I should say "shot from", but I think that's dangling a participle or some such nonsense.)

While we're on this topic, how did the King family decide James Earl Ray was innocent of the shooting? They seem pretty bright, but they sure got that wrong. Anyone who likes history and/or detective stories should read "Hellhound on His Trail". Awesome book.

What else is in Memphis? There is a Nathan Bedford Forrest Park in the middle of the city. Nathan is buried there. They changed the name recently as Nate was a confederate general and was the first leader of the KKK. Oops.

Beale Street in Memphis is to the blues what Nashville is to Country Music. It's a little scarier, though. I felt a little out of place not having a beer in my hand. I was one of the 1% there that didn't have one. They block off the street and you just walk Beale Street, listening to blues music, drinking beer. It was fun, but I think I'm just not hip enough to enjoy it. Probably a sign that I'm not hip is that I still use the word hip. I assume there is a more current word that replaced it, but no idea what that would be.

Sun Records studio is there. Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, all did early recording there. It still looks like it did then, and it's still used as a recording studio. There is a big poster of them on the side of the building. I got a sweet selfie in front of it. Turns out I fit right in with that group.

Danny Thomas started St. Jude Hospital there and I've wanted to see it. I did, but I wanted to walk around. Nope. It's the most guarded hospital I've ever seen. It's guarded like it's Fort Knox. It has a fence all the way around and security at every gate. Still cool to see, though.