Life List #17 - C'mon Baby, Drive South

Drive South was one of many songs running through my mind as we headed out of town for Rob's business conference. This year we were bound for New Orleans and left a day early to break up the drive.

We spent the night in Memphis.

Rum Boogie Cafe is still our favorite. Gumbo, catfish, and live music - yum.

The next morning we set off for New Orleans. We stopped for gas before we got back on the interstate only to realize we were already in Mississippi; they're missing a 'Welcome to Mississippi' sign somewhere.

So - new state alert for the Life List! I thought it would be fun to stop for lunch in Jackson, all Johnny Cash-like, but had failed to research anything before we left. Instead we used restaurant finding apps, and after a little wandering around found George's Museum Cafe.

There's a sign in the cafe stating it's rumored that George Washington slept there.


If that cat could talk, what tales he'd tell...

But the cat was cool and he never said a mumbling word.

We walked through the museum courtyard to stretch our legs a little...and because Rob went a little crazy when he saw chicken fried steak and gravy on the lunch line...and I went a little crazy with a slice of pecan pie.

It's a nice little 'good old days' kind of place that probably sees a lot of school field trips, but that day it nicely served the purpose of adding another state to my list.

Dear Elvis,

Sorry, no flash photos allowed at Graceland.

Please explain the white monkeys.

Love,
Nancy

I Have Been To The Mountain Top

I Have Been To The Mountain Top sculpture - downtown Memphis

Now I Can Add Arkansas

To the map, that is.



create your own visited states map

We stopped at the only attraction labeled by a brown sign along I-55 on our drive through Arkansas. It led us to the Hampson Archaeological State Park.

In making this new map, I remembered visiting the Kansas side of Kansas City with Rob once, when we went to deliver (or pick up) something related to metal fabricating.

On this Love Thursday I dedicate our stop to my sister Amy, since our airport layover in Little Rock was my first-ever stop in Arkansas.

Dodging Housekeeping

As usual, when I'm traveling along with Rob on a trip I have to manage my free time around hotel housekeeping. This hotel doesn't have a 'do not disturb' sign that I can put on the door while I'm hanging out here in the room so I'm constantly on edge waiting for The Knock.

I try to be out of the room in the morning as I can, but I also want to sleep in a little bit since I don't have to get anyone off to school. However, yesterday it didn't matter - housekeeping didn't arrive until around 2pm. I'm fighting a possible head cold and am trying to rest a little bit each day (and my eyes are still bloodshot) which is kind of tricky when you're waiting for The Knock. One year, I don't recall what city we were in, The Knock came at 7:30am! Another year, back when E1 was a baby, I tried calling the front desk and asking to have our room cleaned because we were heading out for a walk - I wanted them gone by E1's nap time - and still, I was sitting in the room feeding E1 lunch when they finally arrived.

Last year in Destin, we were in a condo-type room and didn't have a housekeeper the entire time - unless we requested it. Sure, we had to keep things tidy ourselves, but it was worth it.

I was all set to upload some of the photos I've taken here in Memphis, but upon looking at the cable I tossed in the suitcase I realized it's not the one I need. I'm not actually sure what this cable is for...oh, heh, I just untangled it from the cell phone charger and it IS the cable for my camera. SO! I'll have to get on that after all.


Until then...what are the ways a hotel room creep you out? The girls I sometimes have a scrap booking weekend with all insist on folding the bedspread down and not using it because of some TV report that showed all the nastiness that can be contained there. On a past episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight (where they went to Disney), Kate wouldn't let the kids walk on the floor without shoes on because of possible nastiness.

What are your nastiness-prevention methods when staying in a hotel?

Walking In Memphis

We have a trip to Memphis coming up, and while our feet may wind up ten feet off of Beale, we're looking for recommendations for dining and things to do/see. Walking distance of downtown will be a plus.

We DO have a tentative jaunt to Graceland planned - it just feels like something that should be done when in Memphis.

Also, according to Google maps we'll be spending about 2 hours driving through Arkansas. I guess we'll have to see a site so I can make an official addition to my map.

In the meantime, throw out any suggestions you might have.