The Land Beyond Graceland

June 2

We left out of ATL about 6:30 and drove to Alabama. North of Birmingham we encountered a string of Bingo Parlors that stretches for miles. Each had a large crowd at 7:30 AM. Odd.

We stopped nearby at Jack's, a hamburger chain that makes great biscuits. A customer asked MarKay if she was Christian. She was carrying a little doll that looked like Lance Bass, which she occasionally kissed. Odd.

Mississippi had a nice welcome center with free drinks and the first of many Elvis attractions advertised. We hit Memphis, TN with some time to spare, so we stopped at the river front and took Sean to Mud Island to wade in the miniature Mississippi River. Giant Elvis and BB King statues adorned the visitor's center.



We're collecting water from our trip for the Fall water service at church (it's a Unitarian thing.) We'll collect water from places we visit, so the Mississippi was our first sample.

We were soon back on the road, taking I-40 into an Arkansas thunderstorm that blew us over potholes held together with a little pavement. We arrived in Little Rock in time for dinner with cousin Jan and her husband Lindsey. They have a lovely house on a secluded lot. How secluded was it ? The guest bathrooms had picture windows in the showers for looking out on the backyard. Deer were advertised, but none were in evidence. We had a great time at talking and enjoying steaks from the grill. Sean enjoyed the pool in the garden. Much family history, old memories, Steiff puppets and sail boats discussed. I learned a few things about my family I didn't know. Jan's father, Winston K Shorey and his contribution to the University of Arkansas Medical School was discussed, as well as old feuds of our parents generation. Elvis never came up.

Off to bed...