Here is my post about the land of the Blues and Elvis; Memphis, Tennessee. We got into town Wednesday May 21 and stayed at Graceland RV Park and Campground. I will have a separate post about downtown Memphis.
And there really is a Heartbreak Hotel:
The hotel and campground are right here at Graceland. The mansion is situated across the road and the visitors center and ticketing window are on this side of Elvis Presley Blvd. Our trailer abuts the main parking lot to the rear.
It is very convenient to be able to walk to the attraction. Once again we are located in the city just like in New Orleans but this campground is much nicer. We are a short drive into the city too.
We got tickets for Graceland on Friday. If you are planning a trip go online and look for a coupon. We found one for $3 off but don't buy them online; there is a $4.95 convenience fee; go to the ticket window instead. There are three ticket levels: Mansion only, platinum, and VIP. Platinum is the best deal. You get the mansion and all the other exhibits for $37 minus the coupon. The VIP is $72 but from what I saw all it gets you is front of the line access, so if you are not going to be there on Elvis' birthday or some other busy day its not worth it. These prices are sure to go up soon because a major expansion and development of the area is in the works. The goal is to put Graceland on a scale of Disney.
The mansion is the third most visited private residence in the country after the White House and Biltmore Estate and Elvis Presley Enterprises wants to triple the 600,000 visitors per year.
Okay back to the mansion. The mansion would not be impressive to any run of the mill rock star today but the thing to remember is that Elvis bought it back in 1957 when he was 22 years old. The tour starts with a short shuttle ride across the street and through the famous gates. Passengers are unloaded and each shuttle group waits their turn to enter the mansion.
So that is 16 people at a time. Security is very tight. No one is left out of line of sight supervision. Doreen was able to take her scooter in but when the tour enters the basement I was permitted to drive her scooter around the side and to the back but security was in radio communication with one another the whole time.
After entering the front doors you can see the living room and music room to the right:
Down the hall is a guest bedroom:
Off to the left is the dining room:
Where a portrait of Priscilla and Lisa Marie are prominently displayed:
Then it through the kitchen:
The house is preserved as it looked on the last day of Elvis' life on August 16, 1977 so it like a look back into time.
The tour then goes downstairs to the TV room:
Even though had a TV in every room including the kitchen he liked to come down here so he could watch all three networks (at the time) at once. The room is painted black and yellow, his favorite colors (and mine too!) and also serve as the colors for his TCB, Takin' Care of Business logo. Also even though he didn't drink booze there is always a bar in the room.
Next is the pool room:
After the pool room it is back up the stairs and past the famous "jungle room".
After that the tour leaves the mansion and goes out to the grounds past his dad Vernon's office then to the trophy room. As the name implies it houses all of Elvis' gold records and other awards:
After that is the racketball court that Elvis had built in the early 70's. Elvis was an avid rackettball player and an 8'th degree black belt in Karate. Did not know that.
Another bar:
The lounge overlooking the court is where Elvis spent the last hours of his life on August 16 singing and playing the piano:
The court is now a shrine with much Elvis memorabilia:
After the racquetball court the tour is coming to a close and the last stop is the memorial garden. Elvis had it built as a place to meditate and reflect. It is now he and his parents and grandmother's final resting place. His mother Gladys predeceased him in 1958 and was interred in Forest Lawn Cemetery down the street. Elvis was interred there also but was eventually moved to Graceland a few weeks later. The garden is a serene calm setting but sad also. One can only think what Elvis might have accomplished had he not passed at such a young age.
Your emotions can definitely get the best of you as you observe people of all backgrounds and age groups young and old, black and white, American and foreign, Elvis fanatics or casual fan pay their respects to the King. I myself was never a huge Elvis fan but had to fight back the tears as I passed by Elvis' grave and eternal flame.
The original marker from the family plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery:
Elvis is flanked by his parents and paternal grandmother:
The shuttle then takes you back across Elvis Presley Blvd. Our next stop was The Elvis Automobile Museum after eating a late lunch at the Chrome Grille:
There are many cars on display including the famous pink Cadillac. That car was actually his mother's Gladys.
Elvis owned many cars over his lifetime including several Rolls Royce. Almost invariably he had them all customized to his liking one way or another. He had the seats upholstered in purple leather in this Rolls:
Throughout the exhibit you will find video monitors showing home movies of Elvis and his family. One in particular shows Elvis having fun on the ranch as he referred to Graceland riding horses and every type of motorized vehicle including golf carts, super trykes, motorcycles, boats, and even snowmobiles fitted to ride on the lawns of Graceland.
After the auto museum we saw his two planes: the Lisa Marie and Houndog. My camera was dying so I don't have too many shots left:
After the planes were a few more exhibits: Elvis 68, Elvis Live from Vegas, Elvis Hawaii, Elvis Tupelo. Each one has a plethora of artifacts and memorabilia including his famous jumpsuits. I think they have everyone he ever wore.
Each exhibit runs concert video pertaining to that period. We watched in amazement at several older couples who were in the Elvis Hawaii exhibit reliving the days of their youth as they intently watched the video while holding hands or caressing one anothers shoulder. Elvis was apparently a big part of their youth.
I thoroughly enjoyed Graceland and I am not a big Elvis fan. The special feeling of what makes America great is on display here not just Elvis "stuff". No where else in the world can a dead man earn hundreds of millions of dollars, and I say that with the utmost respect. When you see families; men and women born after Elvis died, with their children, making the pilgrimage to see one of America's most beloved icons and perpetuating his memory for another generation makes you proud to be an American.
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