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Peabody ducks and farewell Memphis

Our last day in Memphis brought us once again to downtown, as we went to see the legendary Peabody ducks. After a yummy breakfast in the hotel, we assembled with a flock of other duck fans and crowded around the red carpet, awaiting their 11:00am arrival. There are five ducks and a full-time (human) Duck Master who trains the ducks to make their daily trek from their penthouse suite down the elevator to the lobby, where they parade down the carpet to the lobby fountain. Actually, “parade” isn’t really quite right. I was expecting a majestic, leisurely stroll down the aisle, nodding to the serfs, waving to the wings … but their trip to the fountain could more accurately be described as a race. Within seconds, the team had sped by and up the steps into their fountain home.

We also wanted to stop in to see Mud Island, which is a scale model of the Mississippi river, but they are unfortunately closed at this time of year. We’ll have to see it next time we’re in Memphis.

Some scenes as we leave Memphis behind: the true meaning of convenience, a nifty manhole cover, and in the plane, newly acquired knitting gloves of doom…

Posted by bpod at Sunday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Hail to the King, baby

First thing in the morning, we embarked on our pilgrimage to Graceland. If you want to avoid the crowds, wintertime is a good choice. Ted had me take a photo of the parking lot, which was nearly empty (this for anyone who has been to Graceland at peak season). We waltzed in about half an hour after opening, purchased our tickets, and left on the tram about 10 minutes later. The only sour point was that apparently my camera is too advanced and was banned from the premises. The only photos I took were of a new Elvis bowling ball in the ticket pavilion lobby, and a photo of our little post-tour snack: a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich (yum).

Although the mansion itself is fascinating trip to the 70’s, they’ve unfortunately switched to an electronic audio guide instead of the traditional human tour guide format. The result is somewhat strange and isolating. Although the audio was informative and interesting, it was eerie to be part of these shuffling, silent groups wandering from room to room–the silence punctuated by occasional “what number do I press?” and “how do I pause this?” and “where are we now?” Ted had taken the tour a couple times before, and sorely missed the human guides, who were enthusiastic, informative, and funny–and their absence made Ted sad.

Afterwards, on the way down Elvis Presley Blvd, we were flagged down by the driver next to us, who wanted to take a picture of me taking a picture of him taking a picture of me. Must be a regional thing. We also snapped a few shots of the local scenery…

Our next stop on our day’s excursion was a visit to Sun Studios. Started by the talented Mr. Sam Phillips, this is arguably the studio which produced the first rock’n’roll record, and the place where such greats as Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, BB King, Johnny Cash, and many others got their start.

This was sort of the flip side of the Graceland experience. Basically, the tour consists of two rooms: an upstairs gallery of various displays covering the history of the studio, and the one-room studio itself. However, our tour guide stretched those two rooms out into a fascinating and entertaining 45-minute tour. Ted managed to make her blush by inquiring about propriety of flinging panties at our tour guide.

We later had a meal at Huey’s downtown, a place well known for their burgers and their customer-penned graffiti (which covers most surfaces in the place). They actually had a pretty exceptional vegetarian burger, for those on veg-watch through the south out there. The second photo doesn’t show it well, but in addition to the graffiti, the ceiling is skewered with thousands of toothpicks (also presumably fired by patrons after eating).

We ended the evening on Beale Street, a couple of blocks lined with blues clubs and cafes. Some of the neon signs here are really cool, especially the older ones. There were many notable ones I didn’t have a chance to shoot out of our moving car, but here are some interesting ones I did manage to capture.

Posted by bpod at Saturday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Don’t have any crayons?

For the more visually inclined, we’ve added a quick trip map, courtesy of the Great Circle Mapper, which sez: This information may not be accurate or current and is not valid for navigation or flight planning. No warranty of fitness for any purpose is made or implied. The link is right under the now updated trip meter, above right…

Posted by bpod at Saturday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you…

Before we move on, here’s a view as we cross the mighty Mississippi…

Decided to make a preliminary trip to Graceland Mansion, (former home to Elvis Presley), to scope it out, and took pictures of the blue Christmas tree across the street, as well as some blurry shots of the Graceland mansion from the street. The Estate continues to uphold the traditions set by Elvis, who displayed decorative Christmas scenes starting the day after Thanksgiving through his birthday, January 8.

Then on to downtown Memphis for a little dinner. We ended up at the Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous, a charcoal ribs place located in a small alley in the heart of the city. Ted had dined there twice before (nyaa nyaa, Bill Manning), and says that the ribs are beyond words. And what would a vegetarian like me have to eat at a ribs joint? Meatless red beans and rice, which were fabulous. They started out kind of sweet, then started to burn, with each bite ending up with an almost flowery note in the nose.

On our way downtown, we saw a bumper sticker that a few folks at the Getty might appreciate:

Which reads: Something Great Starts in SNOWDEN.

Posted by bpod at Friday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

It’s chilly

Posted by bpod at Friday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

If you’re keeping score at home…

…we’re in Texas now, but our entries haven’t yet caught up with us. The red line on your maps needs to be extended from Prescott, AZ through Santa Fe, NM (making that left turn at Albuquerque), then in to Amarillo, TX for the night.

Ted wanted his mom to know we made it here safely

more later.

Posted by bpod at Friday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Benefits of general aviation

If I were flying any commercial airline, do you think they’d let me bring along THIS in my carry-on?

Posted by bpod at Thursday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

1st stop: lunch in Arizona

Welcome to Prescott, AZ - our first fuel and food stop.

This place certainly has the feel of a small town airport. The single FBO is housed in a little prefab trailer, replete with pleather recliners and faux wood panelling. The tiny airport cafe has an aviation-themed decorative motif (natch): model airplanes hang from the ceiling and posters and other paraphernalia are everywhere else. The effect is dizzying and combined with the rows of formica tables and booths, the effect somewhat claustrophobic. But like many of the airports we visit, the people are incredibly friendly and the food hearty.

Odd sighting: woman exiting the terminal as we arrive was wearing a pair of athletic-looking shoes, the heels of which were attached to the rest of the shoe solely by way of what could only be described as an old-fashioned bed spring. If only I had the camera out and ready…

Posted by bpod at Thursday ~ December 12, 2003 | 1 Comment

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

Out cold

Only snapped a few photos on our way to Prescott, AZ; between little sleep the night before and the higher altitudes we were flying, I was pretty much passed out for this leg. With any luck, Ted will fill us all in on what he saw.

Fortunately, I woke up in time to see Granite Mountain, just outside of Prescott. Although its name is technically accurate, it doesn’t capture the mountain’s beauty or drama (nor do these photos do it justice). The way the light plays off the crags and crevices is really spectacular.

Posted by bpod at Thursday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

Breakfast of champions

Time for onigiri!

Posted by bpod at Thursday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel, yum