You aint nothin but a hound dog…..

and my fave tune....(pretty sure he's on those prescription drugs in this one!)

Memphis – mmmm a bit derelict – lots of empty buildings and no grounds being taken care of, dirty and a bit dodge in parts. I didn’t like it really. Maybe I missed something…..Suzy and Mike may think differently but I certainly thought it was overrated. According to the Lonely Planet the bible of travel it is bankrupt – I agree, it shows. But it does have some sights….and some good food.

Graceland – we stayed in the RV park next door – to pay Lisa Marie’s salary….The RV park played the Elvis radio station 24/7. Everywhere you go there are Elvis DVD’s playing, songs, movies – you name it. Actually Graceland is kind of interesting. His two planes are parked there, all his cars and toys, all his costumes (mike was desperate to get himself into those) and of course his house. Which is exactly and I mean exactly how he left it – green shagpile carpet and all…. Tight security as there are Elvis crazies everywhere!! People wearing t-shirts, Elvis attire, singing to his songs, carrying flowers…..he is buried at Graceland, I saw 2 ladies crying at his grave WHAT??? Apparently they still get fresh and artificial bouquets delivered to the mansion daily – from all over the world to be placed at his grave site….all a bit odd really…..he did have some good pelvis moves though. You have to do it – it is kind of moving in a weird kind of way.

Sun studio tour was amazing – highly recommend – where Elvis first recorded but so many other stars got their starts there – BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis (what's with him marrying his 13 year old cousin at 22???), Johnny Cash etc etc and because it became kind of a pilgrimage many modern day bands still go there to record – hoping for the big break or to soak up the vibes – U2 and BB King recorded 'When love comes to town there'…..even boy bands (they need all the help they can get I say) You can kiss and touch the microphone Elvis actually used – TRUE – sends the crazies wild!

Beale st – the home of the blues –security everywhere, homeless beggars – was ok but again a bit seedy I would say. Lots of buildings held up by scaffolding and steel beams and many empty lots. You can buy a house for $3000 but risk being shot according to one American guy. Some good live blues music playing in most bars.

Memphis has had record high temperatures all this week – today its about 100 degrees farenheit (I think knocking 40) – so going for a walk along the Mississippi was a little crazy but all good – headed to a local BBQ joint for dinner – yum they have the best pork ribs here ever.

My final stop was the National Civil Rights Museum (Suzy and Mike didn’t want to go)…this was awesome, it is housed in the exact hotel and spot where Martin Luther King Jr was shot – and you can also go across the street and stand where the sniper was. It tells the struggle of segregation and the Jim Crow law of ‘separate but equal’ – the museum is excellent (even if you struggle with history) and shoots straight from the hip – KKK stories, Rosa Banks, the fights for equal education, just amazing – if you like world history and want to try and understand the 'south' of the US, it’s a must see in my book -  so unbelievable really and not that long ago which is scary in itself.

Now at a casino (to make up for the museum I am sure) …. 30 miles south of Memphis in a place called Tunica – it was entirely flooded by the Mississippi last month but all good now – nice pool at the RV park…..

If you are still reading – thank you, thank you very much