Day 22 - Mud Island River Museum, Memphis

By:  Dave and Hazel Crowder - Adventure 5

It’s our last day at Graceland (pronounced “Gracelin”) RV Park, so we wind up our tour of Memphis, Tennessee with a wonderful “omelet in a bag” breakfast prepared by the staff.  Long before breakfast, the “laundry queen”, Bev, was first to the laundry room today.  Lucky for Bev, her campsite was directly next to the laundry facilities, so she could visit the laundry to her heart’s content. 

the"Laundry Queen", Beverly

While the men walked the dogs, Madi and Spence, Ken and Carole prepared our feast.

Ira walking Zoe, Erv walking Holly

Carol squishing her eggs

All the trimmings

The group enjoying breakfast

After breakfast, we had time to catch up on chores before heading back downtown to Mud Island River Museum.  The red tram took us from our parking to the island museum.  There we had ample time to enjoy the spacious building and grounds of this amazing interpretive, interactive display.

Jim and Lela Grime 

Carl and Jo Ann Phillips, Sandy Wenger,
Linda Marshall and Trecia Attebury 

Carl Wenger, Madi Schaaf, Lee
and Laurie Swanson, and Dave Crowder

The red tram to the River Walk

The inside display told the story of the River’s historic importance to America.  During the Civil War, the river was crucial to both the North and South.  In 1892 the first bridge to be built across the lower Mississippi River was the Frisco Bridge.  It was built to serve the railroad.  Today, there are over 30 bridges that cross the lower Mississippi. 

 Memphis was the origin of the “Blues.”  This music was an expression of the human condition, set to music.  Work songs and field songs became true American art forms.  Spirituals became an expression of the soul’s desire for something better than life as they knew it.  Music was an expression of the hardships and poverty of the people of the Mississippi Delta.  As times changed, music became more jubilant, expressed in Ragtime and Jazz, and then Rock ‘n Roll, with hometown boy, Elvis Presley, becoming a legend in his own time.

The courtyard of the museum had a meandering miniature replica of the river which you were free to wade in, or cross over the small bridges.  The incredible views of the river and skyline were breathtaking from this wonderful spot!

Sandy Childs and Carol Gosline 

Since we traveled in carpools, we were free to plan our afternoon and evening on our own.  Beale Street was a popular destination for many of us, with Ira and Jeff choosing to visit the Gibson Guitar Museum.  Dinner at Marlowe’s Famous BBQ Restaurant, complete with Pink Cadillac limo ride to and from the restaurant was the choice for over half the group.

Ira and Beverly board the limo

Now, it’s time to bid farewell to Memphis and travel to Vicksburg tomorrow.