Today was the first day of our cross country road trip from South Carolina to Las Vegas. We got up at 4 a.m. because we had Graceland tickets at 4:45 and wanted to give ourselves a little bit of wiggle room. Things started out great. There was very little traffic and we were making great time.
We stopped at the Alabama welcome center for a photo op.
However, shortly after crossing the border, disaster struck. Our car just stopped moving and then the engine cut out. We were stuck. We called Geico for a tow.
We then called the Dodge dealer only to be told they wouldn't even look at the car until tomorrow. And the girl sighed several times. (Have I mentioned that we will never buy a Dodge again??) We then found a local shop called Friendship Automotive. They were amazing! They took David to Walmart for a new battery, found an alternator, and got us back on the road for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, it wasn't in time to make Graceland on time. Fortunately, they changed our tickets free of charge so we're going tomorrow.
We saw the Talladega Speedway. It was massive and impressive.
We made it to Mississippi!
Southern rest stops are so beautiful. The Utah stops are embarrassing in comparison.
I took this picture for my dad.
We got to our hotel in Southaven and got checked in and unloaded. We then headed to Memphis.
We knew the Civil Rights Museum was closed because of COVID - it opens a week from tomorrow. But we still wanted to go. I had no idea that we would still be able to see the Lorraine Motel up close. The Lorraine was a motel where black people knew they would be allowed to stay.
This wreath marks the spot where Martin Luther King was assassinated. It is a sacred spot and there is a palpable spirit there.
James Earl Ray shot King from this boarding house across the street.
There were only 4 or 5 other people there. It was nice to have it almost to ourselves.
Jalen is very sensitive and it was an emotional experience for him. He was teary eyed and somber.
Jacqueline Smith was the last resident of the motel and had to be forcibly removed. From that time, she has protested across the street. She is still there 30 years later!
From there we went to Sun Records - a place with happier memories.
The list of legends that have recorded there is
extensive. But of course, it's most famous for being the place where Elvis Presley got his start.
Next we headed to Beale Street. It was almost deserted because of Covid. It has also been under tight surveillance because of protests. We had it almost to ourselves.
David and I were excited at the prospect of eating with live music, but Jalen didn't want to. He is sensitive to loud noises so we gave in. (We ended up eating at a Cracker Barrel - sigh.)
After dinner, we came back to the hotel and crashed. After 17 hours traveling, everyone was beat. (I'm the only one awake.) Tomorrow we'll do Graceland and then head to Missouri. It's a 7 1/2 hour drive so not quite as brutal as today and hopefully everything will go smoothly this time.
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