Two cups of coffee in the Memphis Marriott Courtyard lobby and I was good to go.
Emily & Elvis - Sun Studios, Memphis, TN
We thought we’d go to Graceland but opted instead to visit Sun Studio on Union Street, the “birthplace of rock and roll.” This is where Elvis cut his first demo record and the atmosphere and tour were top notch. Lots of memorabilia.
The building itself is very small with a small soda fountain, upstairs room filled with memorabilia, very tiny front office still in its original condition, and the recording room and sound booth.
The best part of the tour was that they played little snippets of music throughout, including one of Elvis laughing and trying to record a song while Carl Perkins was making faces at him through the window – a very relaxed, personal recording that was played as you stood in the studio were it was made. If you closed your eyes, you felt like you were right there.
I’m glad we visited Sun Sudios instead of Graceland as we got to experience Elivs at the beginning of his life and career, full of hope and dreams and talent, in a small intimate setting that made me feel like I got to meet him. Highly recommended if you’re ever in Memphis. Before leaving I grabbed a “diner” cup of coffee and bought Em her first Moon Pie.
As soon as we got on the road Em declared she was hungry. Hey we’re in Memphis, how about ribs? She quickly looked up a good ribs restaurant on TVFoodMaps.com that lists all the featured restaurants on the Food Network’s programs. We chose Marlowe’s Ribs over near Graceland and it did not disappoint. If I could have taken a bucket of their corn fritters and deep fried pickles I would have – yum!
Em’ declaration as we headed out the door of Marlowe’s, “We ride!” Indeed we do.
We headed out of Memphis via Elvis Presley Blvd. and listened to Elvis music via XM Satellite radio for the first hour on the road.
Passed the Williams-Sonoma distribution center in Memphis. Who knew?
Lots of traffic in Birmingham and a few photo ops as we crossed into Mississippi and Alabama, including one run for a rock and one “leaning out the car door” rock gathering episode.
Red Lobster closes at 11 p.m. but we managed to pull in there in Atlanta at 10:45 pm. Once filled with cheese biscuits and crab linguini alfredo, it was apparent we had better get to the hotel before we passed out.
Mixed feelings about the cross-country part of our trip coming to an end – it’s a long trip but it has been a joy. If you’re going to drive 2,900 miles, I recommend going with someone who makes you laugh yourself silly! – Ann
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