I found outstanding deals for a quick weekend getaway to Memphis. We had never been and our gals are obsessed with Elvis so it was the perfect opportunity to get away.
Gwyneth is obsessed with these massage chairs. She is certain that we need four of them in our house. She may be on to something.
Memphis or bust!
The girls love Elvis and I wish I could claim it’s because of admirable parenting and our cultivating their musical tastes. No, it started from them watching Full House.
They like Uncle Jess and he loves Elvis. And then we introduced them to Elvis music when they asked. I guess we’re more a Beatles couple, but that seems like a pretty lame excuse when your kids learn about great music from Full House.
We did it up for them. All Elvis. All cheesy. All 1970’s gloriousness.
The phone in the lobby connects you right to
Marlowe’s restaurant which picks you up for dinner in a pink limo. Gwyneth picked up the phone in her sweet little voice and asked for a ride in the pink limo and then we waited for our sweet ride.
Velvet Lobby
Mental note to hit this place on the way back…
The girls were pleased. It’s a pink Cadillac. Come on. What’s not to flippin’ love?
The restaurant was doused in Elvis memorabilia and the ribs were tender and fell right off the bone.
When in Rome….or should I say Memphis…
The wine was fun and cheap and perfectly in tune with our mood to cheese it up tonight. Everyone was exhausted from a day of travel, but we had a delightful evening and a superb kick-off to our weekend.
My crew and the King of Cabernet.
We had a suite at the hotel and the girls had their own room. One very redeemable quality of the Heartbreak Hotel. We never mind squeezing in together to stay at nicer hotels, but when you don’t have to share a bed with a kicking 7 year old, you appreciate the values of a suite in Graceland.
We were up early and off to the show:
None of us had ever been and I have to admit I was so freakin’ excited. I’ve always wanted to see Graceland and it lived up to all my 1970’s gaudy, gorgeous dreams. I was probably the most excited to be there, even though I tried to play it off a bit. It was Elvis’ house. The King. It was fabulous.
Oh Elvis, you had me at “Peacock Room”
Right? Right????
Gwyneth loved all the chandeliers. Each room had one. She declared our house should too. I had to agree. When you are in Graceland that seems like a really good idea.
His parents bedroom:
The dining room:
The glasses and serving pieces all have Elvis’ monogram on them. Annabelle was quick to point out that Elvis and I have the same taste in entertaining. Thank you my dear, thank you.
The kitchen. Naturally, B was horrified but quickly noted it was uncharacteristic for the time to have a TV in the kitchen. (Please note that it’s uncharacteristic for our time as well, because he has always said NO, NO, NO to a TV in our kitchen). Annabelle announced it was “grody” to have carpet in the kitchen.
The basement was….well, it was something! This was the TV room. So bright. And that little monkey on the table is a bit creepy.
The pool table room was like a giant fan…even the ceiling.
The Jungle Room. Well, what’s not to love about a water fall and green carpet on the walls? Nothing I tell ya, nothing!
The girls wanted to read everything they could find about Lisa Marie. They are so intrigued by his daughter and I’ve tried to find as much info about her as I could. I shared her younger days with them…I tried to leave out as much of that Michael Jackson phase as I could…you know what I’m talking about. Creepy!
They loved her swing set in the backyard and that I had a similar one growing up. I use to stand on that little see-saw and get in big trouble from my mom. Oh how they love a good story about me getting in trouble when I was younger. Luckily I have a pretty full arsenal of them.
We toured through the museum that use to be his racquetball court and were amazed at all his gold records and awards.
I so enjoy a good love story and wedding. Priscilla’s dress was beautiful and I swore to myself that I would only buy one biography about her when I returned home.
Lisa Marie’s baby clothes — a hit with the girls
I don’t even know what to say about this…
His final resting place. I didn’t realize he was buried, along with his parents, on the actual property. I didn’t do a lot of research on Graceland but I feel I’m ready for a good trivia night after this visit.
Time for lunch. At the Rockabilly Cafe, naturally.
When your daughters are so cool that they need their own table. I don’t mind an adult table with the hubs, so let’s do this…
B was the only one who braved the peanut butter and banana sandwich. He did let me have a taste and it wasn’t bad, not bad at all.
Of course, if you’re going to visit Graceland you do it all. We went for the platinum package with the car tour and airplanes.
The girls know a thing or two about planes and let’s be clear, Elvis knew how to travel!
And off we go.
Graceland was a hit. It was such a blast from the past. This was a memorable trip.
Now off to downtown Memphis!
Meyered...With Children 