Started the day on a Memphis City Tour. First stop was St. Jude’s Hospital at the Danny Thomas Pavillion on the hospital grounds. Under the dome is a chronicle of the accomplishments of Danny Thomas and the success of the hospital. When he started the hospital, the cure rate for leukemia was 4% and today it’s 96%! Incredible! Next we watched the ducks who live on the rooftop of the Peabody Hotel, get in the elevator, come to the lo lobby and march onto the red carpet into the fountain. Big doings! There were 500 people in the lobby/mezzanine area waiting for this to happen., Next, we went to the Bass Pro Shop which looks like a giant glass pyramid. In addition to all the water, and fish displays, it has a glass elevator, a hotel, an outdoor observation deck near the top of the pyramid and a restaurant called “Uncle Buck’s”. Pops was definitely impressed. The Lorraine Hotel where Dr. King was shot, is now the National Civil Rights Museum. A wreath marks the spot on the balcony where he was killed and across the street , a glass enclosure marks where James E.Ray stood to shoot. A very moving scene. Lunch on Beale St. was fun at BB Kings. Beale Street itself needs a makeover! Not impressed at all! Couldn’t wait to leave! Ended the day at Graceland. Much more understated than I expected. Elvis’ own wife and daughter as well as his mom, dad and grandmother all lived in the house. Beautiful grounds! Elvis, his, parents, and grandmother are all buried in the back of the house next to the Meditation Garden as well as a memorial stone to Elvis’ twin brother who was stillborn. People still leave things on his grave. Must say I was very impressed with Graceland! Onto Lynchburg,TN tomorrow!
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