Graceland and Downtown Memphis

Today we went to Graceland, home of Elvis Presley--a must when in Memphis!!  Actually, the tour of the mansion and grounds was very interesting and mostly focused on him as a person, rather than a star.  (Now the trophy building was another story!)  The rooms in the house remain decorated as they were when he lived there----so....the style is over-the-top 60s and 70s. 

Gates to the mansion



Graceland-the house

Living Room with music room in the distance.  The sofa is 15 ft. long and coffee table is 10 ft. long.

Dining Room set with Elvis and Priscilla's wedding china.  Lisa Marie eats in here when she is in town.

Media Room in basement.  Elvis installed 3 TVs when he heard about
former president L.B. Johnson's 3 TVs in the White House and watching all 3 networks at one time.

The Jungle Room or Den

Horse pasture on the property

Elvis' grave

The famous 1955 "Pink Cadillac" that he gave his mother.  Also known as "Gladys, car".

Later, we downtown to Beale Street--known for its history of the music style "blues".  There are many clubs, restaurants, and shops on the street.  And there were folks making music in several outdoor venues along the street.

Nothing says "blues" like Beale Street

Looking down Beale Street

Looking down Beale Street

Then we headed over to the Peabody Hotel where the famed "Peabody Ducks" live on the rooftop and swim in the lobby fountain daily.  We saw the "ceremony" where they leave the fountain at precisely 5:00 PM and get on the elevator back to the roof for the night.

The Peabody Hotel sign

The Peabody Hotel

Lobby of Peabody Hotel.  Note the mallards in the fountain.

Elevator taken out of service for the "duck march".

The ducks and their duckmaster on the red carpet march to the elevator.

After the Peabody Duck show, we had dinner at "The Rendezvous" for Memphis style barbecued ribs.  Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

The Rondezvous restaurant.  The entrance is in an alley--adding to the local ambience!