August 13, 2005
Every week is Elvis week in Memphis
Got up this morning and headed for Graceland. Doug wanted to get a picture in front of the mansion, but we were not able to pull that off with security. So, we did the next best thing. We parked in the tour bus alcove with the mansion directly behind us and got a guy to take the pictures from median. The pictures turned out great. Hope they look as good on the internet. After we were through, we went by an Elvis store. I had no idea how much stuff there was available. When we were done there, we headed out for New Orleans. We got there about 8:30, got a room, and headed for Bourbon St. It was such a sea of humanity and so much was going on it was impossible to keep track of everything around you. For me anyway, it was both fascinating and scary at the same time. Just one long 6 block party. Dan showed me around for a couple of hours then went back to our rooms and get some sleep.
-Jim, August 2, 2005
Today we went to Graceland and after a short stay there we left Memphis on our way to New Orleans. This was a long day of riding. We checked in to the Spring Hill Suites, the best place yet. Tomorrow we are on our way to Corpus Christi.
-Ken, August 13, 2005
Yesterday we started out in Memphis. We had to make the stop at Graceland (turns out Carol thinks it's Mecca). I was a fan of Elvis but just to the extent that I thought he recorded some good songs and enjoyed the fluff movies the same way I enjoyed the beach blanket movies.
Graceland has more interest for me because of Paul Simon’s album of the same name (does anyone else think Paul should have just stopped after that?). The words of that song have something to do with this trip.
Turns out this is Elvis Week (isn't every week Elvis week in Memphis?) Thousands of impersonators, candlelight vigil, and on and on. It's the anniversary of his death, so security is even higher and NO CHANCE to get the bikes on the drive in front so plan B. Swoop in the front park in front outside the wall, take the pictures and get out before the cops or security gets there.
Plan works fine and we get a guy who is there to work on the 10k run to take the pictures for us. (Does it strike anyone that there is an Elvis 10k?)
Out to 55 South for what turns out to be our longest day so far, just over 400 miles. From Beal St to Graceland to Bourbon St in just one day!
It is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well at least it's humid. Great road, few trucks and just the beginning of the "OH MY GOD! BUGS" section of the trip.
The hills are gone as we move through Mississippi and Louisiana, it's flat but wonderfully green and the lakes, rivers and swamps are a wonderful change (even if that's where the bugs hang out).
Almost drove off the bridge on Lake Pontchartrain when I saw the FOR SALE sign on a lot in the swamp. Shacks that look so picturesque from the freeway and must have been so wonderful to look at pictures of before the freeway went in. (I can’t imagine the amount of sunscreen and Off! it would take for me to survive there!)
A lot of butt time but we are in the Big Easy. Just tired, sore, and a bit sunburned.
Shower and change, then Jim, Dan, and I stroll for the Quarter. It’s the end of a long day for us and the Q is just waking up and stretching. I have no interest in "dining." I want street food and to stroll among this seething, sweaty mass of people that have traveled for blocks to thousands of miles just so they can give themselves permission to do things they wouldn’t if their parents, children, or neighbors could see. Seems like a lot of energy and money too piggyback on such a grand old tradition that has led to "EVERYDAY IS FAT TUESDAY".
More later.
-Doug, August 13, 2005
Off to Graceland, did you know the King is still alive? It is Elvis Week in Memphis. So now we are off to New Orleans. 400 miles later we are in the French Quarter. Funny thing happened, today we parked 3 of the bikes and had room for the other one for photos and a Harley pulled in! I took the photo anyway. I think Jim went into shock when he saw some of the things that went on in the French Quarter. Tomorrow we will be heading out for Corpus Christi.
-Dan, August 13, 2005
