Sun Records, Beale Street and Graceland

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We left our hotel early in the morning and headed to Memphis. My dad had just watched a show on Beale street and Sun Studios the night before, and said if we missed it, that would be ok. We were interested in making up time and weren't that impressed with Nashville, figuring it would be the same (sorry Nashville! - just not a country music fan!).

Not that I'm the biggest Elvis fan. My uncle was an Elvis impersonator so I feel like I've met the real thing, or close enough. Once we got into Memphis and parked close to Beale street, we felt like some other vibe took over us, the rock and roll kind. Beale street was sleepy and cold but the street signs were loud and colorful, giving us a glimpse of what the nightlife is like - electrifying. We window shopped and took a million photos and vowed to come back again to get a drink in one of the Juke Joints and hear great blues.

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Then we headed to Sun Studios, which opens at 10am. We got there a little after 10 and the cashier said that we just missed a tour, but could join it late if we wanted. We hesitated for a few mins and then my dad said "Do you think we have time?" and I said sure. The gift shop was just a tease anyway. The tour was one of the best I've ever been on, alongside wine tasting tours and chocolate tasting tours. I now long to be a rock star and am afraid I've missed my calling. Johnny Cash, of course Elvis and many others were discovered and recorded hits here. It has that 1950's feel to it still, even though it was closed for about 20 years and became a scuba diving shop. Which is funny since the tour guide said, "We don't scuba." The tour guide played the orginial recordings and was very entertaining himself. He even said "Bob Dylan came in here, kissed the floor and left." Turned to my dad and said "Ok kiss the floor." Of course, my dad, being Bob Dylan's #1 fan, did. Very funny. The tour guide said "No one's ever done that before." I'm sure he is kidden. Who wouldn't kiss the same floor Bob Dylan did? I was even entralled by the doorway and got chills every time the tour guide said who walked through the door.

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Then we headed to Graceland which is around $20 to get in. They are usually closed on Tuesday but since his birthday is coming up, they are open everyday. You need to get a ticket from across the street and take a bus over to get in, but we just crossed the street ourselves to take pictures from the outside. That was neat enough. Then we left Memphis and headed toward OK City. Great Rock and Roll kind of day and one of my favorite from the trip. Deeply recommend.