Our post today comes to you from historic New Harmony, home of the Harmonites, amongst others. Angel Gabriel himself once touched down here, intent on destroying the world. But he saw the loveliness around him, his heart softened, and doomsday was averted. He left his footprints behind, in a large stone that looks suspiciously like the cement outside the Chinese Theater. The stone is in a private yard, but, armed with a little bit of local knowledge, I was able to peek in and see them from afar.
Yesterday was not so good a day. I woke up, determined to head south, based on a somewhat fuzzy decision I had made late the night before. I set out early, cruised, hit a library, sat for a while, cruised some more, and then looked at a map. And realized I was hundreds of miles away from anything I actually wanted to see.
With time running out on me, this was not okay. I got fed up with myself, and super cranky. All this was fixed by a little truckstop dinner, and a couple of hours of bonding with my maps. I now have a serious itinerary, I mean road by road, town by town, from here to home.
I know, I have yelled loudly about the dangers of planning. My favorite way to drive is with no maps and no destination, taking whatever road looks good. That worked fine for the beginning of the trip. But my mind is needing some order now. Without a destination, my brain screams, "I wanna go home!" I say, "But look at that pretty-", it goes, "NOW!" So I humored it. And boy, does it feel good. I know exactly where I am going to be tomorrow. And I don't mind, because that place is Memphis.
That's right, baby, Graceland. In Memphis, Tennessee. I'm going to Graceland, Graceland. I think that is why I headed south. I knew, subconsciously, that I had to go to Graceland before coming home, so that's where my wheels took me. I can deal with that.
Besides Graceland, Memphis is home to the Pink Palace, a Piggly-Wiggly museum, and the Peabody Hotel duck parade every evening at 5. Oh yes, there is something to be said for planning. I do miss my old way of travel. Up until this point, I would completely turn a state inside out before I left, poking in every corner, until I was satisfied (except for Nevada, but we're not going to go there). Now I am zipping in and out of states, looping back, veering off... I think I've hit 5 states in the past week. My last shower was in Connecticut. How odd.
Looking forward to hearing about Graceland through your eyes... have always imagined it the ultimate questionable destination :) But I must admit I wanna hear all about it.. the shag carpet.. the line ups of quirky Elvis fans.. all of it!
Posted by: amy | June 13, 2004 at 07:41 PM
about Niagara Falls...people *have* survived going over, although maybe not in barrels. I know if two dudes who made it. the last guy who made it went over a few months back. he was not in a barrel. he was waaaaaaay drunk. I think he broke a leg or something but other than that he was okay, just all shook up.
oo woo hoo
hoo
yay yay
oo woo hoo, hoo, yay yay
- I'm all shook up -
that's what he said. love -me
Posted by: not_christy_but_christeeeeeeeeeeee | June 13, 2004 at 10:06 PM
my mom-in-law just came back from Graceland... she's a big Elvis fan. She took a bunch of pics, and it looks interesting, but rather commmercialized. She then went on an Elvis cruise... like I said, Elvis fan. (I think its great!)
Have a great time!
Posted by: melissa | June 14, 2004 at 07:46 AM
Oh, you must go to the duck parade! I went to the one at the Peabody in Little Rock and it's a very humorous site!
Posted by: sarah b. | June 14, 2004 at 11:35 AM
Oh, lady, try to find you a copy of Walkin' in Memphis as covered by Bruce Springsteen. The piano intro alone will raise the hair on the nape of your neck. it's a haunting, wonderful song. totally by synchronicity, i heard it on Saturday whilst riding down to Islamorada on the back of an awesome Harley. THE BIKE HAD A KILLER SOUNDSYSTEM... go figure... The only thing that could have been better would have been if I was driving and was coming down the road into Memphis....boldy go, chica.. and find that song!!
Posted by: caroline | June 14, 2004 at 05:33 PM
Oh crap, I was in MN when you were in NJ! Shhooooooooot. I totally woulda bummed a ride with you to Memphis--never been to Graceland. Not a huge Elvis P. fan, but Graceland I want to see. Can't wait for the report!
Posted by: Em | June 16, 2004 at 04:52 AM