Thanksgiving in Memphis

The 8-hour long train ride from New Orleans to Memphis was long, but fun with Natalie as company. My energy picked up and although I was still lacking money, I didn’t feel so burdened like I had in New Orleans. What was it about New Orleans? The city itself? Or just a funk that happened to take place while I was there? Anyway, the first night in Memphis, we mostly got settled into the hotel. The next day was Thanksgiving. Natalie, Mama Izzy (Natalie’s mom), and myself brought Starbucks to Natalie’s Granny in the nursing home. It was nice to finally meet Nat’s grandmother; I had heard so much about her over the years. Thanksgiving day was spent drinking wine, chatting, cooking and eating.
The next day, Natalie and I visited Granny before heading to Graceland. We didn’t go inside since one, it would take forever and two, it’s kind of pricey. The house was a little underwhelming, but it was still cool to be there. What I truly enjoyed was the tour of the famous Sun Studio. You could feel the music history in the walls.
Afterward, Natalie and I went to Café Eclectic for coffee and a snack. I love the vibe of that place. We met up with Mama Izzy before going to Imagine – a vegan restaurant. It was a cute hippy place with a very nice staff and great quotes on the walls, plenty from John Lennon, of course.
The next day, we went to the Peabody Hotel to see their famous ducks march into the fountain, which was adorable! I was just as excited as all of the kids that were there. Of course I had to see the ducks’ rooftop penthouse to make sure their living quarters were up to par. It was great! The Peabody also had some memorabilia, like Elvis’ RCA contract, which was signed there.
We went to lunch at Arcade, the oldest restaurant in Memphis. I, of course, had a peanut butter and banana sandwich in true Elvis fashion, but it wasn’t like I don’t eat those a couple of times a week as it is! Haha. I found Memphis to be cleaner, friendlier, and more spread out than I expected. I would definitely go back for a visit!

Me and Natalie on Thanksgiving.

Me and Natalie on Thanksgiving.

Starbucks wrote "NYC Elvis Fan" on my cup.

Starbucks wrote “NYC Elvis Fan” on my cup.

Reminds me of Little House On The Prairie.

Reminds me of Little House On The Prairie.

Elvis' plane.

Elvis’ plane.

Graceland.

Graceland.

The wall outside the gates of Graceland.

The wall outside the gates of Graceland.

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Me outside the gate to Graceland.

Me outside the gate to Graceland.

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Dennis Quaid and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Dennis Quaid and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash.

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Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips

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Christmas display at the Peabody Hotel.

Christmas display at the Peabody Hotel.

Mama Izzy and Natalie

Mama Izzy and Natalie

The fountain with the Peabody Ducks.

The fountain with the Peabody Ducks.

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Me with the Peabody Hotel Duckmaster.

Me with the Peabody Hotel Duckmaster.

The rooftop duck penthouse.

The rooftop duck penthouse.

I guess they alternate ducks who go into the fountain.

I guess they alternate ducks who go into the fountain.

Creepy cardboard girls in the window of the duck penthouse!

Creepy cardboard girls in the window of the duck penthouse!

The Peabody Duck Penthouse.

The Peabody Duck Penthouse.

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No duck on the menu! :)

No duck on the menu! 🙂

Elvis' recording contract with RCA.

Elvis’ recording contract with RCA.

PB & Banana, Elvis' and my favorite!

PB & Banana, Elvis’ and my favorite!