GREAT SOUTHERN LAND
After Vegas, we fanged it across our beloved Route 66 and found our way through Texas and onto Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We stayed the night with a young local couple, Zach and Lane – sooo lovely and accommodating! We all walked down their lovely tree studded street to a Jazz festival where we met up with their awesome pals. After that, they cooked us a delicious FRESH dinner, knowing that we’d been on the road which basically wreaked of dirty burgers and fried chicken! Late that night/morning, after much protest on our part, they graciously gave us their scrumptious bed for the night whilst they dossed on the fold out sofa (I know, that’s just how lovely they are!)… In the morning, we rose afresh and devoured some delicious home made pancakes, chatted for a couple of hours and got back onto the road, still bound for Memphis. The breadth of the US is enormous so we decided to take our time to get to Memphis, which made way for a relaxing dip in a stunning river on the way. Bearing in mind it was 45 degrees in the very centre of the US of A, we found a shady spot to have our picnic of local fresh produce and frolicked like teenagers in the surprisingly cooling river. Amazing. We eventually found ourselves in Memphis, home of the Blues and birthplace of rock’n’roll. We were stinging for some famous southern style grub so we headed for Beale Street and tucked into a few beers, accompanied with some locally caught catfish, bourbon carrots and FRIED GREEN TOMATOES! Lisa, I immediately thought of you with this one! It was moorish and comforting and so was the service. Later that night, we hit Beale Street again with a solid intention of ‘immersing ourselves’ in the atmosphere. This saw a lot of beers devoured, friendly and toothless locals and INCREDIBLE, gritty blues. Seriously, some of the best live music I’ve ever heard. Had a total blast in Memphis, some tourists whinge about the grittiness but we BOTH felt emotional with the rawness and talent of this time warped hamlet. We also checked out Elvis’s home, Graceland. And might we say, MAJOR highlight of the whole trip thus far. Never expected to feel as emotional as we did, we walked in the King’s lounge room, kitchen, dining room and all the rest (except the sleeping quarters, scene of the crime). It was mind blowing to stand by the very piano he played the morning he passed, to see and smell his home… Everything left as it were since his tragic ending. We hopped onto his Lear jet, with gold basins and his sky bedroom… still untouched. Neither of us have ever been fans of Elvis, until now. After selling 1 billion albums and still going, I’m thinking he’s earned his stripes for us to commit to fan status.
WIN:
Beale Street rocks my musical world! I’ve only had BB King on my iPod for 2 years now and I’m thinking Elvis us about to make his debut as well. I officially welcome myself to the Hall of Lame.
FAIL:
My own ignorance. I had no idea how many Elvis originals I knew thanks to the plethora of covers pop stars make millions from these days. Glory thieves!
theflightclub 