Memphis Tennessee

Wednesday May 16, 2018

We get on the road shortly after 10. We didn't need gas so we hop right on I270 which takes us to I55 South, a direct line to Memphis. We're headed to Graceland. I think my masters are also planning to take in some live Blues music tonight. Memphis is the place for Blues; Beale Street, BB King Boulevard, Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Rock'n'Soul Museum, the list goes on.

We are generally following the route of the Mississippi River but we can't see it from the interstate. Like Route 6, the road follows the path made by nature. Now it is a really big creek that charts our course. I don't see any sign of a railroad. On Route 6 we had all 3; river, railroad, and road together much of the way.

The Mississippi has many twists and turns. It would be fun to take a boat trip on this river. My master has always wanted to take a trip on the Delta Queen. Unfortunately, it is not running now, just used as a floating hotel. It was purchased by a company interested in restoring her and returning her to the mighty Mississippi. Maybe my masters will go someday if that happens. Sure hope they take dogs.

The terrain is hillier than my master remembers. It is pretty. I like the look of hewn rock and green trees together. I think we are all glad to be back where it is green. There is some haze in the distance which doesn't help the picture quality of the distance shots. The terrain flattens out shortly after we pass Benton, Missouri. We stop at Arby's in Sikeston, Missouri. My master has been craving their roast beef sandwich. He said it hit the spot. Karen sees there is a Walmart nearby. She is running out of coffees so we go there next; success on both coffee and lunch for her. 

Back on I55 South, we make our closest approach to the Mississippi in the area of New Madrid and Howardville. It is there that we spy railroad tracks. Turns out, the railroad has been taking a similar path but too far away for us to see it. We haven't seen any wind farms. We cross into Arkansas, because I55 runs along the west side of the Mississippi, hence why we are in Arkansas instead of Tennessee. We see more farming and irrigation equipment but no wind farms. When I see this tanker truck I can't help but think my master should have one follow her around as much coffee as she drinks.

It sprinkles off and on as we near Memphis. We exit I55 onto I40.mm We are heading due east again, for a short time anyway. My master tries to get some pictures of the mighty Mississippi River as we pass over it into Tennessee. Unfortunately none come out. She did get a few of the bridge, Memphis skyline and this Bass Pro Shop.

We arrive at the hotel around 3:30. My masters decide on a change of plans. They are only up for dinner, no live Blues tonight. Tomorrow they will go to Graceland then head for Beale Street to look around and catch some Blues music. They had planned on going to my master's mother's grave tomorrow morning but now they will stop there on the way to Montgomery, Alabama. 

Bob suggested southern fried chicken for dinner. Yelp suggested Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken. They confirmed their choice by a Google search for "best southern fried chicken in Memphis". They asked me if I wanted to go, when I declined they headed out. They ordered green fried tomatoes as an appetizer in addition to the chicken and sides. The green tomatoes were crunchy sweet on the outside and sour inside, delicious. The chicken was wonderful, maybe the best they ever had. The staff T shirts say "If you haven't eaten at Gus's, you haven't had fried chicken". My masters agree. The skin was spicy and so crispy. The meat was juicy and full of good chicken flavor. Boy would they eat there all the time if we lived here. I had to smell their chicken breath all night.