2007 Cross Country RV

July 7, 2007

We spent the Fourth of July in Memphis, TN.  The town was alive with lots of activities culminating in a AAA Minor League game later in the evening (of course followed by Fireworks).  We began by touring the Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island.  The Museum features a reconstructed full scale model of a Mississippi River Boat and a scale model of the Mississippi River (30" = 1 mile).  The Mississippi River model is 5 blocks long!  There is a very cool tram ride across the Mississippi onto Mud Island. 

After the island, we took a trolly downtown to the Peabody Hotel for the time-honored tradition of marching the ducks from the fountain in the lobby to their evening roost on the roof of the hotel.  The ducks march right along a red carpet from the fountain to the elevator where the duck caretaker leads them to their roost.  It was a lot of fun to watch.

We closed out our day in Memphis with a delicious rib dinner on Beale Street.  Beale Street is reminded me a lot of Bourbon Street in New Orleans except...  1) its smaller scale (really only 3 blocks long) and 2) you get ribs instead of gumbo.

We camped that night in Meeman-Shelby State Park (TN).  The park lies along the Mississippi River but we didn't get to see the river 'cause the campsite was pretty far away; we didn't get there til late evening; and the mosquitos were out in force!

On July 5th, we visited Graceland and took the tour of Elvis's home.  It was fascinating, but a little smaller than I had expected.  It was cool to watch the girls reaction to the home.  They never realized Elvis was such a superstar in his day.  Graceland is a wonderful museum of Early 1970's opulence.  We camped that evening at Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The 6th of July was a travel day to Dallas, TX where we are spending the weekend with Lisa's Brother and his family (wife Marni and daughters Natalie and Abbie).  We have missed them a lot since they moved from NJ in December.

Today, the girls are taking in a movie and the mall this afternoon.  Brian and Mark are taking in a Orioles/Rangers game tonight.  We have travelled over 1500 miles.