 On
the return trip from Texas to Michigan, we stopped for a day in
Memphis, TN. Our first inclination was to visit Graceland and
visit all the Elvis exhibits, but the cost park the car, tour the
mansion and the other exhibits was outrageously expensive. We
chose instead to leaf through the books at the visitor center and then
spend the day touring downtown and Beale Street.
This was our first view of the famous street. We returned later for a magnificent lunch. |
 We
needed to hydrate on this particularly warm day so our first stop was
the Blues City Cafe right across the street from B.B. King's.
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 Beale Street is famous for its music and dozens of great restaurants and cafes, many of them specializing in barbecue.
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 Brass notes embedded into the sidewalks commemorate famous musicians who have performed in the city.
Elvis Presley... |
 ...Jerry Lee Lewis.
These are but two of I don't know how many street notes there are on the sidewalks up and down Beale Street. |
 There
were many horse-drawn carriages, which in themselves aren't so unusual,
but I don't recall seeing so many in any other city except New York.
|
 This
is the window display at a tourist shop called "Tater Red's." The
A. Schwartz store across the street was equally fascinating. They
look as if they have been there since the founding of the city.
|
 Vicki
modeled this feathered hat complete with rastafarian braids. I
wouldn't have been able to talk her into wearing it if we hadn't first
stopped at...
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 ...Wet Willies bar for a couple very potent libations.
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 Memphis
is a city of diverse and very interesting people. When we crossed
the street this gentleman approached and began to explain that he was
trying to get to Atlanta and asked for our help. I politely
interrupted to explain that quite coincidentally we too were travellers
on the way to Montague, Michigan and told him that with the price of
fuel being what it is we were hoping he might help us out with a couple
hundred bucks to fill our fuel tanks.
|
 Before
leaving Beale Street we returnted ot B.B. King's for a late lunch at
the sidewalk cafe. The very well liked waiter (note lipstick on
his cheek) served us the most delicious barbecue sandwich I've ever had.
|
 This
gentleman was sitting at a table next to us wearing a tie similar to
one that I always wore to important business meetings - Looney Tunes.
He graciously agreed to pose for a picture.
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 After lunch we went for a ride on the Main Street Trolley. It was a nice tour of downtown Memphis.
I liked the ornate design of the trolley stations. |
 The Main Street Trolley car.
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 Notice the beautifully finished woodwork and antique looking incandescent light bulb.
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 Memphis is a beautiful city with interesting architecture and people.
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 This was a grab-shot of the fountain at the Civic Center.
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 Toward the end of our day in Memphis we rode past these very elegant sidewalk cafe's on Main Street.
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