Monday, September 17, 2018

Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee


September 13

Graceland was pretty amazing. We had a VIP tour (not the ultimate VIP tour) which gave us some perks like not having to stand in a line to enter the Mansion and we could return at any time through the day to visit it again. (they said late in the day less people are there and a much nicer visit) and special access to a VIP room where we could relax and see some exhibits that aren’t for regular admissions.

 taking care of business in a flash logo



We had reservations for the 10:00 tour and had about 15 minutes to wait after we got checked in. We were taken to a van for the short drive to tour the mansion. Skipping the line was great. (though this is the off season and I can only imagine how long the line would be in the high season) Inside the mansion it was congested mainly because people naturally form a line and they seemed to want us all to just move in as a cluster. The most awkward thing was that the audio tour was on an iPad that you wore around your neck with large headphones that really didn’t fit me. Fiddling with the huge iPad (encased in larger rubber guard) when you are already carrying your purse and a camera was awkward. Other people had backpacks or large camera bags to deal with as well. That aside it was a great tour with some great stories of life in the mansion.
 Graceland




It really is a snapshot in time. Décor in the 60’s and 70’s just looks outdated more than how fancy it was for the time. It was furnished to have lots of friends and family around all the time.

The entry hall leads to the living room on the right and then down the hall was his mother’s bedroom.




 Gladys' bedroom
closeup of the poodle wallpaper in her bathroom

We passed the stairs leading up to the rooms on the second floor that aren’t part of the tour. We saw the dining room and the kitchen before heading downstairs to the TV room and the Pool room.
 the upstairs is off limits to visitors
 dining room

 the kitchen - it also wraps around the corner with extra refrigerator etc.
 the TV room

 bar off the TV room

 the pool room has fabric on the walls & ceiling


Then back upstairs to see the Jungle Room. 



From there we go outside through the carport to Vernon’s office & smokehouse. 

 model of Elvis' birthplace - a 2 room "shotgun house"
 this room was used to smoke meats & target practice
From there we saw Lisa Marie’s swing set and the horse pastures and then on to the Trophy Room. 

 back of the mansion
 the long wing at the back is the Trophy room
horse pastures - 4 horses live there today
 young Elvis with mother & father
 wedding tux & Pricilla's dress

 Lisa Marie's crib
From there you go out into the backyard with the pool and another building that has his Racquetball court and lounge area.


 lounge area next to the racquetball court



From there the tour continues to the Meditation garden which is where the family is buried. His twin brother has a stone there, but is still buried in Tupelo. His father & mother and then Elvis and then his grandmother. (who outlived them all)
 wishing well



 His twin brother Jessie died at birth and is buried in Tupelo, but has a stone here
 his mother Gladys
 his father Vernon
 Elvis
 Elvis
 Elvis

grandmother - Minnie Mae





Here is where I’m glad we went back in the late afternoon as the lighting was terrible in the morning and all of the photos had our shadows in them (and the crowd of people in line). In the afternoon with very few people there we could see things better and got photos without the shadows. It was still impossible to the outside of the mansion without at least a few people in the picture, but it was much better.

We took our VIP van back to the museum areas and we started with Presley Motors Automobile Museum which featured many of his favorite cars. 

 1956 Cadillac Eldorado

 1969 Mercedes 280 SL Roadster - gift to Priscilla
 1969 Mercedes-Benz limo
 1973 Stutz Blackhawk
 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood


 1975 Ferrari Dino
 1956 Continental Mark l l

 1975 Lincoln Maark lV

he had his logo put on the seats
 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

 1960 MG
From there the museum continues to the next area the Presley Cycles Exhibit. It was a collection of many of his grownup toys. 










from his farm
We took a lunch break and chose Vernon’s Smokehouse. We ordered a combo platter to split and it was horrible. The small piece of sausage was tasty. The one rib had 1 dried up piece of meat on the bone. The chicken was good, but it was a tiny leg. The pulled pork and brisket were OK at best and very small portion. For $22 you kind of think 1 person could eat it and be full. Normally we can split something that included that much stuff. The peach cobbler was extremely good. In hindsight we should have gone to Gladys and tried his peanut butter and banana sandwich. I don’t think Elvis’ daddy would have been proud of that meal. 
all 4 of the meats are on the small oblong plate 

After our disappointing meal we continued on with the Private Presley Exhibit which had some video that had never been on TV while he was in the service.




 Elvis The Entertainer Career Museum has hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in his life, extensive Graceland Archives, including Elvis’ amazing collection of gold and platinum records, his stunning jumpsuits, and other clothing, memorabilia from his movies, and more.









From there we took a break to go see his planes. 





 gold plated sinks in both bathrooms




 gold plated seat belts throughout






 Elvis' bed (with obligatory seat belt)
 his smaller plane

On the way back from the planes we saw a cute raccoon in the stream as we crossed the bridge back to the museums. 


Stopped at Minnie Mae's Sweets for some ice cream that was very good. They have a peanut butter and banana flavor made just for them. YUM!

Elvis Discovery Exhibits showcases Elvis’ influences, important facets of his life, and his role in launching a music and pop culture revolution. Elvis Discovery Exhibits include:

Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit - (didn't take any photos in there, but lots of great exhibits)
 the VIP room






Mystery Train: Celebrating Sam Phillips Exhibit 
 set of a TV series about his life




 
Hollywood Backlot
 set used in the Christmas at Graceland special with Kellie Pickler


his 2 room birth house in Elvis’ Tupelo Exhibit

Hillbilly Rock: The Marty Stuart Collection - no photos taken

Archives Experience - no photos taken

Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley Exhibit


Graceland Soundstage A - they show his movies all day long
When we were at the mansion while we were waiting to take the photo of the Mansion we watched this proud squirrel with his 3 large nuts - systematically pealing away each layer.








We stopped for dinner on the way home at Soul Fish Café. Their specialty is blackened catfish and Greg had that and I had the shrimp po’boy. Both were very good. 






Here is where the end of our day went “south”. We were almost home when we came to a long line of cars, truckers and RVs backed up by a stopped train on the tracks.

We waited an hour which included bailing on the line and driving to a second option for crossing the tracks only to run into the same situation. It was stopped, but at one point it moved a bit and then stopped again. There was a sign that said trains have a maximum of 10 minutes to clear the intersection. If you experience a longer wait time or the arm is down and there is no train call the police at this number. Greg called and they confirmed they were aware, but the train people were not being cooperative. Greg got on Google maps and found yet a third possibility to cross the tracks and we drove there. Success! It came out just past where the issue was. We didn’t hear the train blow it’s horn until another hour or two. (you can hear it from the coach) There were at least 2 RVs in the line up waiting to cross the tracks to check in at the RV Park. Don’t know what the problem was, but I’m sure the railway incurred some huge fines. 

Tomorrow we have a city tour.

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