Day 6 - January 6th: Memphis, TN - Little Rock, AR
A day of mixed emotions –
ranging from joy and nostalgia, to a reverential awe.
Before explaining that
comment, we are pleased to say that it was great to finally get rid of our
boots and exchange them for shoes! At last, we’re clear of the snow and ice –
but the temperature here in Little Rock, AK, and Memphis today reached a high of
-13C – but with a biting wind that was every bit as cold as our first day in
Sault Ste. Marie! It’s supposed to be changing tomorrow, but we’re not holding
our breath!!
Our chilly day started with
a trip down Elvis Presley Blvd. to Graceland. The tour was really well
organized with personal headphones so that you could make your own way through
the exhibits at your own pace.
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| Graceland |
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| One of the hundreds of gold discs - 'Can't Help Falling in Love' |
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| Elvis played two songs on this piano on the morning of his last day on Earth |
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| The famous Pink Cadillac |
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| I've always loved these old gas pumps from the movies |
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| His customized jet plane, named after his daughter |
Walking through the rooms,
gardens, and exhibit halls with various artifacts, really did bring him alive
again in a way which took me by surprise.
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| The famous Jungle Room |
I was especially impressed with the fact that tourists are not allowed upstairs in the house, as the wish was to
preserve and honour his request for privacy – even in his absence.
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| Elvis' last resting place |
His final resting place was
tastefully preserved in a peaceful and pleasant setting, near to his meditation
centre – a fitting quietness pervading the area.
From there, we crossed to
the other side of Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum cleverly
and respectfully built around the site of the assassination of Martin Luther
King Jr. Although parts of the museum were closed for renovations, it was very
moving to be able to stand on the balcony where he stood on that fateful day,
as well as to visit the room where James Earl Ray stood with his weapon through
the window overlooking the hotel.
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| Lorraine Motel - Memphis, TN |
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| Martin Luther King's room in the motel |
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| The small window in the middle block - James Earl Ray stood there to take aim at King |
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| The movement for equal rights for all continues |
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| The spot where Martin Luther King fell to the ground |
I found myself in a state
of reverential awe as I stood on that balcony spot. Mark took a photo of me
there, but I couldn’t find it in myself to smile – it seemed to be more
appropriate to be more somber – not because I felt saddened, but because I felt
I was at the scene of the passing of someone whose life has had a profound
effect upon so many thousands of people , regardless of race, gender, creed,
sexual orientation, or economical background.
The Museum also paid homage
to various men and women across the globe who have contributed to the movement
of human liberation. It felt humbling to be in this place.
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| Beale Street - significant in the history of the Blues |
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| B.B. King's Place |
Finally, we moved on to
Beale Street, where we walked up and down the hallowed ground of this location
in the city, which is significant in the history of the Blues. Although there
were not many people venturing out in the cold, the various stores, clubs, and
restaurants allowed us to capture the ambience of the place, and we’ve vowed
that we will return there in warmer times!
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| Lunch Counter, Schwab's on Beale |
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| Mark - ready to eat at Sweet Polly's Soul Food Cafe, Beale Street |
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| Trolley Bus on Main Street |
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| Howling or Pouting? |
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| Fried Green Tomatoes (loved that movie!) |
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| The Mississippi River, with the Pyramid Arena in the background |
After taking a brief look
at the Mighty Mississippi River, we reluctantly took our leave of this city and
began our 2 hour drive to the next destination – Little Rock, Arkansas.
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