The walking trail had lots of information posted about the battle. It was very hard fought and the Confederates were winning, the Union was about to raise the white flag when a second Union Brigade arrived to save the day.
Re-enactments are staged in this beautiful field.
Old cannons
Split rail fences mark some of the key areas
Markers also describe key sights.
We were amazed at the range of the Civil War artillery!
Of course, the spring flowers (these are Buttercups) are everywhere.
Our first "King" in Memphis is, of course, Elvis. We went to Graceland to see his last home.
Elvis lived in numerous houses in Memphis with Vernon & Gladys, but when he became famous they needed to find a home where the constant attention of fans and media wouldn't be such a hassle for them and their neighbors.
Elvis gave Vernon & Gladys a $100,000 budget! He paid $102,500 for Graceland which is on 13.8 acres of land that a that time was outside of Memphis.
It is quite small by today's standards as far as celebrity mansions are concerned. Unfortunately, I don't have any interior photos because of my iPhone dilemma, but it is fun to see - a reminder of the décor of the 60's & 70's. I also got a kick out of reading the scathing reviews of the décor by professional decorators.
Elvis added on a racquetball court and viewing area that is now a display of his awards, movie costumes, props, etc. I didn't realize that he won all of his Grammy's for his Gospel albums. He also had a stable and horses (there are still horses there).
Behind the pool area is Elvis's meditation garden. This is where Elvis, Vernon, Gladys & Elvis's grandmother are buried. There is also a memorial plaque for Elvis's brother, Jessie.
The Spanish stained glass windows were beautiful - circa 1800's.
Elvis's grave
The grounds in the front of Graceland
The "musical" gate
We didn't tour the planes (too expensive), but I had to have a photo of the signature Elvis lightening bolt and TCB - "Taking Care of Business in a Flash".
Our next stop to visit the kings of Memphis was Beale Street, for BB and the other kings of the blues.
First, we stopped to see the famous Peabody ducks.
The story is that a couple of the patrons of the Peabody had had a few Tennessee whiskeys and thought it would be funny to put some ducks in the fountain of the ultra chic Peabody Hotel.
Today's ducks live in a duck penthouse on the roof. Each morning at 11:00 they ride the elevator down, walk the red carpet to the fountain & jump in. At 5:00, they ride the elevator back up to the penthouse. It is quite and event!
The Peabody is a beautiful hotel.
Loved this sculpture of greyhounds (?)
On to Beale Street - birth of the blues and instrumental in the Civil Rights movement.
The weekend we were there was the weekend of the Beale Street Music Festival. It had a huge lineup! (Including Minnesota's own, Jonny Lang)
Many of the businesses on Beale Street were owned by black men & women -
I thought it was interesting how they preserved the old front of this building with steel supports. There is a beautiful outdoor beer garden behind it.
More old signs
Up the street from Beale is the Rendezvous BBQ Restaurant - considered one of the best in the country !
The Memphis Pyramid. It was built by the city as an homage to their Egyptian name to house music and basketball. Unfortunately, the acoustics sucked! Bass Pro stepped in and bought it to be another of their over-the-top stores, hotel, museum for Ducks Unlimited and a unique restaurant/bar/observation deck at the top.
The cypress swamp
complete with alligators
and pontoon boats!
The 35 story free standing elevator to the observation deck & restaurant/bar.
The muddy Mississippi to the south
and to the north.
downtown Memphis
The bar had these fantastic aquatic creations out of gears & parts - very fun.
From here - we're heading North! Be back in Minnesota by the end of May.
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