The King and I

Earlier this summer, the man had a pool tournament in Tunica, Mississippi. If the growing number of trophies that have taken over the top of our book shelf in the bonus room (aka Dan-o-mite's Billiards Practice Facility) are any indication, he likes to compete and he is quite good at it. Since pool tournaments are generally not family friendly outings, the kids and I usually stay at home. He was able to entice me to come along this time when he mentioned that Tunica is a mere 30 miles away from Memphis, Tennessee. 

I am a barbecue fan, but that is not the reason I wanted to go to Memphis. Not a lot of people know this about me, but I am an absolutely raging (albeit closeted) Elvis fan. If you were to ride in my truck, you might notice the radio presets are all the usual rock, pop, and alternative stations, but if you click on cd, The King will burst forth and my secret would be revealed.  At home, the XM is usually tuned to channel 19, Elvis Radio, coming direct to you from the Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. 

I have wanted to visit the home of The King for a very long time. I have seen pictures before of the stained glass peacock windows leading to the music room, and of course the well known jungle room, but I wanted to experience it myself and walk in his footsteps. So without hesitation, I agreed to go on the nine hour road trip, and believe me, I hate the monotony of road trips. 

First, a word about Tunica. If you have never been or never heard of it, allow me to educate you. It is near the Mississippi River, yet out in the middle of nowhere. There are several large casinos in the area, and pretty much nothing else. Seriously. As in I heard a woman ask the concierge where the nearest Target or Walmart was, and she was told about 25 miles away. Although we saw plenty of kids in the hotel, there really is not much for families to do in and around Tunica. (However, at least one of the casinos, Harrahs, has an onsite daycare with an arcade and indoor jungle gym should you want to ditch the kids and gamble away their college funds.)

If you do go, you must, must, must, forgo the casino restaurants for breakfast and head about 20 minutes down the road to Tunica proper. There you will find the historic Blue and White Restaurant. Ignore the deep fried lunch buffet and get yourself a menu. Now you might have a bit of a wait for your food, but a good Southern scratch made breakfast is worth it. You have never, nor will you ever in your whole entire life have grits as light and fluffy and buttery as theirs. Why not start the day with a breakfast fit for The King?

We planned to visit Graceland on Saturday morning. Dan really wanted to come, but he had a match later that day, so he was not able to join us. I drove to Elvis Presley Boulevard, which was renamed that during his lifetime. When Elvis bought the mansion in 1957, it was out in the country. Over the years, businesses have cropped up, and now unsavory looking strip malls and fast food joints line the highway. Graceland is set back from the street, and still looks majestic and serene, despite the seedy surroundings.  

Directly across the highway from the mansion, are an assortment of Elvis themed gift shops, restaurants, a museum dedicated to his cars, his two jet planes, and the parking lot, which is $10 to enter. Do not come to Graceland with a light wallet.  I am not saying in any way, shape, or form that it is not worth it. It is. It really is, but the experience is going to cost you. 

Upon buying your tickets, you are given a vague timeline as to when your shuttle will leave.  In the meantime, you are free to visit the lovely gift shops, tour the planes, and any of the exhibits on that side of the street. We had about an hour wait to board our shuttle, plenty of time to drop some cash in the gift shops and see the planes. The Lisa Marie jet was incredible with its living room, board room with conference table, and private bedroom with attached bathroom featuring a golden sink. 

Once on the shuttle, we crossed the street and drove through the famous guitar gates and up the long circular driveway. Before boarding, we were given headsets, and instructed to turn them on to hear a narration of what we were seeing from that point on. I must say that while in the house, I didn't feel like I really got to experience it the way I would like. The narration, although very well done and interspersed with Elvis music and actual audio clips, removed me from the experience. I felt like I was watching a TV show as opposed to actually being there. I was on the narrator's time line, not my own. 

This a pic I snapped from the foyer looking into the living room and music room.

I was surprised at how homey the house felt, despite it being a museum. At the front of the house, it looked very formal, but the rear and basement looked like a very comfortable and inviting home, that just happened to be stuck in a 1970's time capsule. This is most apparent in the dark paneled kitchen with carpeting, the dark green shag of the jungle room, the mirrored walls and ceiling along the staircase to the basement, and the fabric lined walls and ceiling of the billiard room.  

The kitchen at Graceland

The time in the mansion felt rushed, as if the docents were pushing us through. They really weren't, but as other tour groups filed into the narrow passage ways, it felt as though I didn't have a choice but continue to plow on. Once outside in the backyard and outbuildings, it was more relaxed. I took my headset off in the racquet ball court, which is where Elvis spent his last night before retiring to his bedroom for the last time. I really should have done that much sooner. Although I enjoyed the narration, I felt like I was finally experiencing Graceland with it off. If I were to go again, and I hope I do, I will do so with headset in hand. 

Visiting the home of Elvis Presley, The King of Rock, was a dream come true for me and a dream I hope to re-live someday. It was fascinating and made the legend seem more human. I highly recommend it.