California or Bust, Part V :: I'm Going to Graceland, Graceland...

Memphis, Tennessee. I'm going to Graceland. Poorboys and Pilgrims with families and we're all going to Graceland! Gotta love some Paul Simon! 

So our next stop on our way to Cali was....Memphis, Tenn.! Earlier, I gave you a history lesson of the Rakkasan Racing Team (RRT) (see post "Carwreck"). Well, we stopped to spend the night with Holly, another member of the RRT, and her husband Seth. They, along with their 3 big dogs, now live in Memphis where Holly is going through her first year of law school.

We had  a great time! It was a little crazy with 5 dogs running around there, but Amelia and Andy definitely needed some social interaction after traveling for a couple of days. The adults went out to eat at The Flying Saucer. Somehow I managed to never make it to the Nashville one. Not sure how that happened because I always heard it was fun. I'm glad I finally got to experience it in Memphis.

Also while in Memphis, I got to mark another item off of my "29" list: GRACELAND!

The next day, Seth went to work, Holly to school and Mike and me to Graceland! I've never been a big Elvis fan, but I've always wanted to see Graceland. Disappoint it did not!

It stays exactly as it was when Elvis lived there. It was splendidly decorated in tacky 70's decor, shag carpet and all! As a bonus, it was also decorated for Christmas!!!

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking:

Huge Sofa!

The Dining Room

 

His parent's bedroom. They lived there too!

 Kitchen

The Basement

The Famous Jungle Room

Back of the House

His Office

The Smoke Room, which he temporarily used as his target room

And so begins the shrine

Priscilla's wedding dress and Elvis' Tux

His racquetball room, which now houses his awards and some of his records

Elvis played on this piano the day he died. This is the room outside of his racquetball room.

Hall of Gold

 

And finally, his grave. Here he lies with his parents and a plaque in memory of his twin brother.

I did not lay any flowers or bears, nor did I shed a tear, but I did fall temporarily in love with Elvis after our visit to Graceland. We listened to a lot of Elvis Radio on Sirius that day (until I fell asleep which then Mike would change it).

Also, they don't let anyone upstairs to see Elvis' bedroom and private living quarters. Only Lisa Marie and Priscilla are allowed up there. Apparently they go to Graceland frequently. Of course they weren't there the day we went though. 

Graceland....check!