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just looks outdated more than how fancy it was for the time.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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