Random road memories

There is no shortage of beautiful cars. Some are in good shape, some are rusting away in junkyards.

It is always nice to see vintage cars on the road (even more so when they are yellow).

The 70's interior of the Top's Bar-B-Q diner hurts the eye.

Why am I not surprised: pick-up trucks in front of a gun store.

Nobody there? Guns scare me. Why? I might make use of them if I had one. So, weapons are better not for me.

A pretty but abandoned school. So many empty buildings, empty roads and ghost towns. The Midwest appears abandoned.

The open road. I probably could have taken the interstate, but I like these byways better.

Enjoying the sun set at Lake Norfolk.

Leaving the flat lands of Tennessee behind, and entering the rolling hills of the Ozarks.

As it seems a perfect area for motorcycling, but I haven't seen one bike. One day I'd like to return and ride the hills. Of course the Ozarks are not only a fantastic area for the outdoors, with lots of parks, rivers, lakes and hot springs, caves and waterfalls. Known as the highlands of Central America it is also of special geological interest (for me that is...)

This sign reminds me oddly of some Stephen King novel. And the shop looked a bit eerie, too.

But the most eeriest things I discovered in Branson, Missouri. It started really harmless with this wonderful 50's Diner, were I had my lunch.

And half a block away there suddenly was a stranded Titanic plus the iceberg.

Another shock while driving down the street: King Kong and Hollywood icons carved in a concrete wall!

It was a memorable road-trip, and bonus: all paid for by the company, which makes the overtime that comes with traveling (and subsequent late night online sessions) bearable.

The King

When in Memphis, I did what everybody does. Visit Graceland. Instead of paying the parking fee, the rental was tactically parked in front of the close by Harley Davidson Store.

They had some nice bling going, but also a lot of Elvis related kitsch, only HD branded.

The Front end of the King's home. Pretty humble, considering the big bucks he was making.

There is no accounting for taste. The living room.

 The center of disturbed taste: the so called Jungle Room.

Walls full of golden records, cabinets full of weird clothing, and buckets full of jewelery,

yet the house looks quite normal.

It is obvious where the money has been spent on: cars, bikes and planes...

Elvis. Certainly one of the most popular pop icons of the 20th century, and here at Graceland they are doing their best to keep the legacy of the King alive. Fans are still lining up to visit is home and grave and many are coming for repeat visits. It was a nice experience, so when in Memphis, follow the crowd and do as every tourist does.

Memphis by day

I had plenty of time...not. But the weather was too good. So, before I hit the road I had a quick walk through downtown Memphis, because I wanted to see the Mississippi River, Beale Street at daylight, and some of the historic quarters. At this time of the day the city was pretty deserted. I was impressed by the cleanliness. There was no garbage, no graffiti and no panhandling either. I wonder how they do that. Some other cities could learn from it.

 Muddy Waters

The Fire Museum

Walking on Beale Street

Fedex Forum - Home of the Memphis Grizzlies

The Gibson Guitar Factory

 The Orpheum Theater

I took so many pictures of historic buildings, and have a hard time sorting them all out. The buildings are in good condition and well maintained, but often deserted. Memphis needs business...

The city is well worth a second visit. If you can, stay over the long weekend. There are lots of things to do.

Walking in Memphis

It was raining hard, when I arrived in Memphis. Outside of the Courtyard Marriot in Downtown I found one lonely Beemer, in fact one of the very few motorcycles I encountered during my road trip.

And then there was that song in my head...

I didn't have blue suede shoes to put on

so I boarded the plane in sneakers

touched down in the land of the Delta Blues

in the middle of the pouring rain

W.C. Handy

won't you look down over me

I got an economy class ticket

since the company paid for me

Then I'm walking in Memphis

Was walking with my feet, ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel

They've got barbecued ribs with beans and fries on the table

 They've got gospel in the air

(and live music at B.B. King's Blues Club)

 When you haven't got a prayer

Girl, you got a prayer in Memphis

Saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue

Followed him up to the gates of Graceland

Then I watched him walk right through

When I was walking in Memphis

I was walking with my feet, ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel

And that just song got stuck in my head

Excerpts taken from one of my all-time favourite songs: Marc Cohn's 'Walking in Memphis'

More to come: The City and the Legend