June 20: Beale Street

Yesterday, while sitting around camp (after doing laundry), Larry and I decided to walk the park trail. The trail starts right at our campground site and I thought would end at the visitor's center. However, about a third of the way there we came out on a paved road. The trail wasn't very clean - lots of spider webs and some sort of green leafed plant than made us itch at the time but didn't amount to much later. So we decided to take the paved road and head back to camp. Took Clorox rags and wiped us down to get rid of any residue from plants. Did the tic inspection (which is always fun) and showered to get rid of anything we missed. So far, I have one chigger bite - not too bad considering the ground we walked.

Today we went to Beale Street. Beale Street has been around since 1841. It was the headquarters for Grant during the Civil War in the western Tennessee engagements. It's heyday was in the 1920's when the area took on a carnival atmosphere and gambling, drinking, prostitution, murder and voodoo thrived alongside booming nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, stores, pawnshops and hot music. Memphis is the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock 'n roll and it all started here on Beale Street.


We arrived there around 2:00 and headed straight to The Rendezvous, a BBQ place that came highly recommended. We had to go down an alley and then go downstairs. A really neat place and I don't think there was a waiter there under 40 - all black - all very friendly. The food was really good but I still like Hog Wild best.







I expected to find at least a couple of good music stores on Beale St. Pretty much all that's there are blues bars. There was one music store but the selection of music books was pretty much narrowed down to blues - go figure. We did go to one general store call A. Schwab that has been there since 1876. They had a little bit of everything - from bras to candy - it was pretty interesting. Since we were there late afternoon, there really wasn't much happening. Most of the music doesn't start until around 8:30 or 9. Hard Rock said their band didn't start until 10:00.


We were really thirsty so we dropped into Hard Rock Cafe and sat at the bar. I had a beer (just to keep up appearances) and Larry had a Pepsi. Got a glass of water too and used the restrooms and we were on our way again. We went to the Pepsi Park, on Beale St, and found a place to enjoy an outdoor group. I had a short video but it wouldn't upload. I don't know if it didn't like the format or it was my weak signal. Maybe when I get closer to a town and can upload it.

Memphis also has trolleys so we rode one. These are the original trolleys from early Memphis that have been refurbished.







This weekend we expect to sit around camp and head out for Nashville Monday morning.