Graceland 9-29-08

A fond farewell to Graceland, and to Tennessee!

Elvis' Cadillac 9-29-08

The Pink Cadillac- his favorite!

More costumes 9-29-08

You might notice that the basic design didn't vary much, color changed.

Graceland, 9-29-08

Here is Graceland from the front driveway. The pool, gravesite and Garden is behind the tree on the right. There is a lot of land in the back and one side. In the back is a garage, where Tom Parker ran his operation, and a racquetball court which cost Elvis $200,000 (more than the original cost of the house) when he built it- it now houses gold record/costume displays.

Elvis' Gravesite 9-29-08

Elvis is buried at Graceland, right next to the swimming pool, so no one in the family would be able to live in the house after he died. Priscilla and Lisa Marie had left already. He died August , 1977. He was 42.

Elvis' Costumes 9-29-08

Ahh the costumes!! He kinda reinvented himself- from a teeny bopper in slacks and a shirt, to a showman. No room for a tad of extra weight in these puppies. The later costumes are bigger, but for all the talk of all the weight he gained, doesn't look like that much- of course they could have altered them all!! I loved the costumes- imagine the time setting/sewing all the stones in that cape!!

Gold Record 9-29-08

One of the hundreds of gold records on display here, but really a cultural artifact, since it is an Lp, and there are lots of 45s, not an 8 track, or a cassette, or a CD , or an Ipod. Years from now will kids even recognize an LP???

Elvis's Family room 9-29-08

Elvis's family room is decorated in a jungle motif. He actually produced/taped a record in this room-don't know which one.

Elvis' living room 9-29-08

As much as anything, Graceland is a museum of the 60-70's, because most of the house is as he left it when he died. My overwhelming memory of the place when we were here 2 years ago was of green shag carpet, memorable since it was almost the same color and texture as that which graced my lovely home circa 1972-75. I heard one of the guides tell someone that this room was redone recently. You can bet a white sofa that was new in 1960, wouldn't look this good in 2008, so our boy did not put his bottom on these cushions, but his mother's room across the hall, still has her housedresses hanging in the closet.

Our boy Elvis 9-29-08

Here is our friend Maureen, and our boy Elvis! Graceland is a complex of Elvis memorabilia. While the house and grounds are on one side of the street, the plane, cars, the costumes , the restaurants, and the endless gift shops ( one for each restauraunt, car museum, etc. ) For my money, the costumes alone are worth the admission. A new addition is a museum on his Army career. That was kinda weird, since I remember seeing the interviews of when he got drafted and when he came home, when they happened.

Memphis, Tenn 9-29-08

After a few Balloon shots we are back to slowly plodding West! Welcome to beautiful Memphis, Tenn- and Elvis Presley Blvd.!

Gardener'sNotebook 9-25-08

To all of you Gardener's out there- here is a QUINCE tree! The fruit kinda grows around the branch!

Snaggletooth Balloon October 9, 2008

Lee and George crewed for Rick Schmidt's Snaggletooth Balloon on Thursday and Friday, and George got a ride. They had a wonderful time.
Unfortunately, one of the balloons had an accident on Friday. Although we did not see it, we were so glad to see George on land. the wind was really up that day and is up to 40mph today with all events cancelled.

Balloon Glow, October 9, 2008

When the balloons are light up at night, it is called a Glow. You can see that folks are on the field in the middle of all the balloons.

Balloon Fiesta October 9, 2008

I'm skipping some of our trip to Albuquerque to jump ahead and post a few pix of the Balloon Fiesta. The event is the most photographed event in the US or world, and I know why. It is spectacular, stupendous, wonderful!!

Carnton Plantation, Tenn. 9-08

This is Carnton Plantation, where the McGavocks lived and where the Battle of Franklin (1864) happened in her front yard!. the Confederates turned the house into their field hospital so the house is still riddled with blood stains. the first blog of this is floating out there in cyber space!!

Cotton, Tenn. 9-29-08

Amazing stuff, huh? Doesn't look much like a t shirt, does it?

Cotton Field Tennessee border 9-08

This is what it was all about in the South. This cotton field was next door to our campground, as we headed into Arkansas. You can see why slavery supported the South's economy. Imagine picking all this, then picking out the darn seeds. And you also see why the cotton gin was a popular item.

Carnton Plantation, Franklin, Tenn 9-28-08

Carrie McGavock was the hereoine of the "Widow of the South" detailing her nursing of the Confederate soldiers in her home. The 1400 who died in the Battle of Franklin, were dug up from their shallow, relatively unmarked graves, and reburied in the McGavock cemetery, at their expense. For years, families found heir loved ones here after the war.

Carnton Plantation 9-28-08

John and Carrie McGavock were the owners of Carnton, pictured here in their Social Security years. Carrie was a looker, who had her engagement picture painted in a black dress, semi scandalous in those days. After all, she was a Natchez Belle and he was her first cousin from Tenn, which in those days was 'camping'.

Natchez Trace 9-26-08

Here starts the Harrison Creek Loop. For starters, it was not a loop, also it ended for us with a slimey log over a pretty wide stream, but we had a good time. Believe it or not Lee Seabolt took the hike!

Natchez Trace, 9-28-08

The beautiful Natchez Trace- the path Bobbi and Lee, Davy Crocket, billions of animals, thousands of Indians, etc trod. The pathe ran from Nashville to Natchez.

Grand Ole Opry

Darryl Worley- singing his new single (forgot already) He did sing "my awful, beautiful life" Ever hear it?

Grand Ole Opry

Check out Little Jimmy Dickens, about 4 feet tall and 87 years old!1 He hosted a 30 minute segment!