We had breakfast in the Heartbreak Hotel early because we wanted to get the first shuttle bus in to downtown Memphis to see the Duck Parade at the Peabody Hotel.
This parade has gone on for over 70 years from what started as a practical joke. Ducks were left overnight in the fountain and it drew a crowd so it was felt that it would be good for business. A man volunteered to train the ducks to come down in the lift at 11am and walk along the red carpet to the fountain. The process is then reversed at 5pm when the ducks return on the carpet to the lift and up to the eleventh floor where they reside. The first Duck-master did this job for over 50 years before retiring but the tradition continues twice daily at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
John thought that I was ‘quackers’ for having any interest in the Peabody ducks.
It was extremely hot so we went in to Starbucks whilst waiting for the shuttle that would take us to Graceland.
We checked in for our tour and then we had to get a bus that would take us over the road to the Graceland Mansion which was Elvis’s home where he lived and died.
As you go i the front door, the first room on the right is the sitting room beautifully preserved in contemporary 60s style.
Elvis’s parents lived at Graceland and there was evidence of family photos displayed in the living area.
The bedroom of Elvis’s parents is on the ground floor. Visitors can only see the ground floor and the basement. Upstairs was always kept as Elvis’s private area.
The dining room was traditional in furniture. i think the kitchen was probably very modern for its day.
This is Elvis’s TV room – very 60s don’t you think ?
This is Elvis’s famous Jungle room where he chilled out.
Elvis enjoyed to play pool.
Elvis played on this piano on the morning that he died.
We walked through the Hall of Gold where hundreds of gold records and other tributes were displayed.
There were a number of showcases of Elvis’s outfits.
There was a special award that Elvis took everywhere with him. It meant a lot to him. It was the ‘Outstanding Young Men Award’ Elvis was extremely generous to his friends and to many charitable causes as well.
We walked outside to the Meditation Garden where Elvis is buried alongside his parents, grandmother and there is a small plaque devoted to his twin brother.
We left the Mansion to go back over the other side of the road where there are very interesting exhibits. We first went to Elvis’s automobile collection.
John has picked the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. I wonder if it was made in Crewe ?
This is the famous pink Cadillac.
Elvis had loads of cars and also motor bikes. There were lots of Harley Davidsons on display as well as the cars.
We went to see the two planes that Elvis owned. The larger of the two is called Lisa Marie after his daughter.
It was very luxurious inside with sleeping and dining facilities
We walked along the road to a restaurant and it was very hot so after we had eaten, we made our way back to Heartbreak Hotel. We very much enjoyed our tour of Graceland and we will be leaving Memphis in the morning with some great memories of Sun Studio, the Civil Rights Museum, the Peabody Hotel and not forgetting Elvis’s beautiful Graceland.
Hope everyone is well at home. We are fine here and looking forward to the next three days in New Orleans.
Lots and lots of love
from
Sally XX and John XX
sally's space 