Memphis: History, Geography, Music and Food

We left Florida early last Friday morning and drove to Southaven, Mississippi, just outside of Memphis. We looked forward to our first visit to this city. We had done our research and were ready to see the city.

Our first stop on Saturday morning was at the Lorraine Motel. It just seemed fitting we go here before any place else. This is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 4, 1968, a day we both remember very vividly. The site now houses the National Civil Rights Museum.

I was not expecting to be so emotionally overwhelmed standing in this spot. It is preserved, just as it looked in 1968. We both remembered the television footage of him standing on the balcony.  It was a very sobering experience, to say the least.

Memphis is a river city and they have made excellent use of their Mississippi River front. Other cities should take lessons from Memphis.

We spent an entire afternoon at their Mud Island River Park and Museum. The river walk is a scale model of the entire Mississippi River. We walked the length of the walk and worked our way through the impressive museum as well.

Of course, we also walked the entire length of Beale Street, although we didn't venture out there at night, when the real action takes place.

And, of course, we paid a visit to Sun Studio,  the birthplace of Rock N' Roll where Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley and many others started their recording careers.

We also spent an afternoon at Graceland,

where Elvis lived,

was laid to rest,

and where his life story is on display. It is amazing.

An important part of our trip to Memphis was to experience some Memphis style barbeque. We sought advice from others and settled on two places. We were not disappointed.  Admittedly, we may have seemed like Jerry Seinfeld's parents (early birders), but we chose to be there at lunch time. There were no lines and we walked off our meal in the afternoon. Our first stop was Rendezvous.

Fantastic.

Our second Memphis barbeque experience was at Corky's. Again, superb.

We ordered ribs, pork shoulder and brisket at both places. Which did we prefer? We liked certain things at both places, but both were fantastic. We came away with questions for our judging class this Saturday in Kansas.

Memphis was wonderful. What a beautiful city. 

We got up early Monday morning and drove in heavy rain and are now in the Ozarks. We will talk to you soon.