Day 11: Hi from Memphis!

Drove from St Louis down to Arkansas and then to Memphis today. Evan had to run a 2 hr conference call so I got to visit the Memphis Rock 'N Soul Museum by myself. It was a GREAT museum (put together by the Smithsonian) and focused on the music that developed in the Delta region (mainly blues, rock, and soul). Everyone got an audio tour so I was able to listen to lots of songs while going through the exhibits. It was so interesting that I barely made it through in the 2 hrs I had to kill while waiting for Evan. We had a true southern meal at a well-known local restaurant, The Cupboard. We both got a "meat and three sides." Evan had chicken friend chicken (isn't that redundant?) with fried green tomatoes, turnip greens, and squash. I had chicken with mac 'n cheese, baked sweet potato, and corn pudding. We both had sweet tea (They aren't lying. it's sweet!) We tried to see the National Civil Rights Museum (where they have preserved the Lorraine Motel just as it was when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was shot there), but some dignitaries were visiting and it was closed to the public. Poopy. So we went to Sun Studios (where Elvis recorded his first song). Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins all recorded there too. The tour was short but very informative. See Evan using the same mic that Elvis used! Next, we went to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (formerly Stax Records) where all the big soul artists (Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Al Green, Isaac Hayes) recorded. We rushed to the Peabody Hotel so we could see the ducks make their daily march back to the elevator. For 80 yrs, it has been a tradition to watch the ducks march to their fountain (from the elevator) at 11 am and then back to their home on the roof of the hotel at 5 pm. They even have a red carpet for them to walk on and a Duckmaster to usher the ducks along. I got upset at two huge old guys who barged in front of me and prevented me from seeing the ducks. How rude! Next, we were off on the Memphis Duck Ride. I've always wanted to go on one of those amphibious tours where you drive around the city and then plunge into the river. I finally got my wish today! It was totally cheesy but actually a lot of fun. Evan loved his "wacky quacker" noise maker and wouldn't put the damn thing down! While we were on the Mississippi River, two (yes, TWO) big fish JUMPED into our boat! Someone had to grab them and throw them back into the river. One fish hit a guy on the side of his face when it jumped in! It was hilarious!





That night, we went out on Beale Street. We had BBQ at Pig on Beale and then listened to live music at BB King's Blues Club.