Saturday, May 26, 2007

From Nashville to Memphis





After the excitement of the Grand Ole Opry yesterday you might think we would have a hard time following that with another great day, but we did!

We left the Opry Hotel this morning and made our way to the nearby home of President Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage (www.thehermitage.com). We've been to a lot of historical sites over the years but this place is simply wonderful! We took the tour of the home and walked a bit of the grounds and then came back and watched a film about the General's life and times. Charles even got to meet the General!! We also enjoyed some yummy pie and fruit-flavored tea at their excellent cafe'.

Following a quick stop at the Tulip Grove Chapel (built by Jackson), we headed southwest to Memphis, that marvelous city on the Mississippi River. We got here in enough time for Charles to take in one more museum, the Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum (www.memphisrocknsoul.org/home.htm). This wonderful collection of cultural and musical items chronicles the birth of rock music and the growth of R&B from the cradle that was Memphis in the 20th Century.

After that, it was off to supper with Belinda on Beale Street, one of the most electrifying urban streets in the country! There was music, people, and terrific food everywhere!!! We met a delightful couple from Huntsville, Alabama, Bob and Linda while waiting to get into the Blues City Cafe', so we ended up sharing a table with them. A lot of fun sharing the wonderful apmosphere with them, and the food, wow!

Belinda had managed to get tickets to the city's Memphis in May music fest. We actually got to hear the Temptations (along with a whole bunch of other friendly folks!) and savor the fresh breeze coming in off the river.

We ended up back in our room just as the fireworks were getting going down at the festival and we oohed and ahhed for a long time! There were even bursts that were square and heart-shaped! Wow, what a great way to end the day!

Tomorrw, we see a bit more of Memphis and then head north!

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