Random Thoughts

This was a trip that we planned for over a year.  This celebrated our 25th anniversary and we did have a wonderful time and saw so much of this beautiful country.  Would I do it again?  Probably not!!!  We drove 4735 miles in 2 1/2 weeks.  That was a lot of driving on most days and we both came home pretty exhausted.

The time we spent in the Black Hills was wonderful.  The presidents looked down on us from Mt. Rushmore, we checked out Crazy Horse, drove the wildlife loop at Custer State Park,  drove Iron Mountain Road..truly spectacular!!, drove Needles Highway and checked out Wild Bill’s grave in Deadwood.  We were very lucky with weather and most places were not very crowded.

Yellowstone was spectacular.  We saw so many Bison that I stopped even taking their pictures.  Unfortunately, we did not see much else in the way of wildlife.  The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was spectacular.  I was more impressed with it than the Grand Canyon of Arizona.  What can you say about Old Faithful….it is something every one should see.  Should be on everyone’s “Bucket List”  There is so much to see in Yellowstone and I’m sure if we ever get back there will be many things we missed.

Those two places were the focal points of our trip.  We enjoyed everything…OK, maybe not Branson…… have many fond memories.  We have been home for about a week…still tired but happily preparing for our next adventure…stayed tune!!!!

Graceland

 

Wednesday, June 22nd

This morning we headed for Graceland.  In my younger days, I was an Elvis fan.  As I will always remember where I was the day Kennedy was shot and where I was when the planes went in to the World Trade Center….I also remember where I was when I heard Elvis died.

Graceland was purchased in 1957 for $100,000 as a home for Elvis and his parents.  For as much of a superstar that Elvis was, Graceland is not as elaborate or overdone as I had expected.  I could really see him living there.  It was a little tacky in some rooms but that could be in any of our houses.

 

The second floor of Graceland is not open to the public.  Apparently, it remains as it was the day Elvis died in his bathroom on August 16, 1977 allegedly of a heart attack.  However, there are conflicting reports  as to the cause of his death.

After Elvis purchased Graceland he carried out extensive renovations among them a racquetball court  that now houses a display of Elvis’ sequined jumpsuits. on entering the racquetball court the area is reminiscent of a old country club.  There is also a upright piano which Elvis played the night before he died.

The Trophy Room was originally a sidewalk that Elvis enclosed to display his many awards.  Today its many walls display records, movie posters, old time memorabilia,  the three Grammys Elvis won and the famous hall of Elvis’ gold records.

Last area on the tour of Graceland is the Meditation Garden which is one of Elvis’ better known modifications.  This is where Elvis, his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and grandmother are buried.  A small stone memorializes Elvis’ twin brother Jesse Garon who died at birth.

 

Across from Graceland, at the Visitor’s Center is a building housing Elvis’ car collection including his mother’s favorite pink Cadillac.

 

That’s it for Graceland…..now for the long drive home…..

Memphis

 

Tuesday, June 21st

Another long day traveling from Branson to Memphis.  Maybe, I’m just getting tired of being on the road.  I know I will be happy to get home tomorrow night.

Charlie was not too excited about coming to Memphis but it is something I wanted to see.  The city is really pretty dirty and Beale Street is only a few blocks long.  I did get to see the Mississippi River for the first time.

It was fun walking Beale Street and we had ribs at BB King’s Restaurant and they were wonderful.

Tomorrow morning we are going to Graceland to see if we can find Elvis!!!!  Then we will be on our way home.  Will be glad to sleep in my own bed…

Branson

 

Monday, June 20th

This morning we just rode around to check out the place.  We found ourselves in an area down by Lake Taneycomo called Branson Landing. Much more upscale!!!  There is a Bass Pro Shop and the White River Fish House.  We plan to come back for dinner between shows.  The traffic around Branson is just terrible… even worse than I have seen in Gatlinburg!

Our first show was “Comedy Jamboree”.  It was pretty corny but we enjoyed it.

 

Back to Branson Landing to spend some $$$$$s at Bass Pro Shop and then on to the Fish House for dinner.  I had trout and Charlie had Chicken Fried Steak…

The evening show was Legends in Concert.  Tributes were to The Blues Brothers, Martina McBride, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and Elvis.  It really was a very good show and we enjoyed it even though it was past our bedtime!!

 

Lincoln to Branson

 

Sunday, June 19th

First stop today was at the Strategic Air & Space Museum.  Charlie enjoyed the planes and relived some of his days around a B36.

Then it was on to Branson.  This was again…a very long day made even longer by closures on I 26 due to flooding of the Missouri River.  First look at Branson reminds me of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg……wonder why I wanted to come here!!  it is also 94 degrees!!!  Hopefully, with a good nights sleep things will look better tomorrow.  I think I am ready to come home….

Working our way home

 

Friday, June 17th

Today was a long day….drive was around 8 hours…Jackson Hole to Cheyenne.  Most of the drive was pretty boring.  The red rock hills were reminiscent of Red Rock Canyon in Arizona…otherwise, I read my Kindle or did Suduko.

 

We overnighted at the Historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne.  It was very old but was a real neat place.

Across the street from the hotel was was “Friday night on the Plaza” with beer tents and bands.  Unfortunately, the windows of our “historic” hotel, did not provide any soundproofing so it was quite noisy.

Saturday, June 17th

Nothing much of interest today.  500 miles on interstate from Cheyenne to Lincoln, Nebraska.  Tomorrow morning we are going to go to the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Omaha.  Another stop on Charlie’s “bucket” list.  Then we have made a slight change, we are going to stop in Branson and see what's there.

Jackson Hole

Thursday, June 16th

This morning was cold and rainy.  We took a ride out to Teton Village but it was too cloudy and cold to take the cable car to the top.  Instead, we checked out the town a little and came back to our cabin so Charlie could watch Fox News and I could work on my blog. Our cabin was beautiful and the included breakfast was the best I have ever had.

This afternoon we were really crazy or just dumb!!!!!  We took a Snake River Float trip.  It really didn’t turn out too bad. The scenery was beautiful. The weather was cold and overcast and but we only had a very small shower.  Again, Charlie enjoyed it more than I did.  We saw a moose and her baby when we walked on a island in the river.  We also saw a group of pelicans huddled together in the cold wind.  Another crisis…thought I lost my cell phone….thank God I found it!!!