day 6 memphis/nashville/pigeon forge - got a lot of livin'

Wowza!  Today we said goodbye to Elvis, tried to say hello to MLK, revisited some old friends and rolled into neonworld.  

Today was one of our only "unstructured" days on the trip and it allowed us to just take it as it came to us.  We began the day with another thrilling hotel continental breakfast.  And if anyone can overnight us some decent coffee, we'd be much obliged.  We then said goodbye to the Heartbreak Hotel and to Graceland and joined the time honored tradition of signing the wall.  At first, we were hesitant, being law abiding citizens, this whole defacing of property, on video, in broad daylight - well, it just seemed wrong.  But we had a sharpie so there was no turning back.  We signed and we're glad we did.  It was more touching that we had anticipated to see this anonymous outpouring of emotion.  We signed and rolled on to the sweet tunes of "Always on my Mind."

We then went into Memphis to see Beale St. and the Civil Rights Museum.  Beale St. during the day just didn't cut it so we wondered a bit and then set down 2nd street towards the museum.  We had heard that it was one of the most underappreciated museums in the country and we can understand why - there was very little signage and it was off the beaten path.  Unfortunately, due to some oddly worded hours, we were unable to actually see the museum as it was closed.  But, we were able to walk the grounds and to pay our respects to the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 40 years ago.  The Lorraine Hotel was saved for destruction and the actual balcony where he fell is still there.  It was intense and emotional in a way that caught us off guard.  We had expected to be moved by the museum but I think we were surprised how much we gained just from being there.  (This is Renee here.  I got really choked up at this one.  And even do right now.  I was just so angry that this unifier, this man of inspiration and hope and dreams and promise was taken so carelessly.  The simple indicator of his death, combined with the bright blue sky and incredible company was just a really poignant moment.  If nothing else, I am most grateful for that moment, it lit something in me that had been dormant for a long time.  Thanks for indulging, I just didn't want to speak for all... and now back to our regulary scheduled program.)

We then decided that Memphis was done with us and we were done with Memphis.  We boarded Dolly and headed to Pigeon Forge, which conveniently brought us through Nashville.  We decided a brief jaunt was necessary and we had a lovely time down by the River, picked up some belt buckles, hats and appropriately cheezy postcards!  We had damn fine fried chicken with our new buds - Josh and Elizabeth - and then hit the road once more stuffed to the gills!

We had a good ole drive to Pigeon Forge - singing Dolly, wearing funny hats and playing our favorite theater game - hodgy podgy.  It's certainly day 6 as the jokes just keep getting worse (think firecrackers and bodily functions.  yes, a joke of that caliber had us crying with laughter.  Punchy?  You could say so.).  We rolled into Dolly country around 11pm and were a little flabbergasted with the utter scale of it all.  Neon everywhere, LCD billboards, Christian Theaters, Upside houses and more!  Our hotel room had a Bible out and open to Ecclesiastes and for 3 northerners who aren't necessarily avid church goers, it caught us a bit off guard.  But the people are sweet and the hot tub was hot, so for now, Dollywood - you're just what we needed.