Destin - 2016 Off to Graceland then heading south

This morning we were up fairly early.  Spent a little time looking over the normal things we look at everyday on our computers.  Shame on us but it does seem to be a part of our lives.  Ate breakfast at the Hampton Inn where we stayed.  A very typical Hampton breakfast but no extra expense for us. We then loaded up the car and headed to Memphis to visit Graceland.  On the way we were once again amazed at the amount of the truck traffic in Arkansas on I-40.  The traffic is just unbelievable. Saturday morning and there are more semis on the road than cars.  We left Little Rock about 8:30 and headed to Memphis.  There has been lots of rain in this area.  The closer we were to the Mississippi River more water was standing in the fields.  It is obvious that there has been flooding in the area. Everything is so green.  We visited with some Little Rock residents at Dizzy's last night, who said the drive to Memphis was going to be so boring.  Extremely flat.  Well, these people have no clue what flat is.  There were tons of gorgeous trees.  Yes, flat but the landscape was awesome.  They need to drive across western Kansas and eastern Colorado.  They would then understand what flat was.

We arrived at Graceland slightly before 10:45, the time we were expected to pick up our pre-purchased tickets for the 11 o'clock tour of the Graceland mansion.  We received our tickets quickly although those before us took forever.  Then we  lined up to take the tour bus on the short ride across the street to the mansion.  I am thinking it was 11:30 or 11:45 before we actually were on the bus heading over.  Everybody received headphones and an iPad for their tour of the manion. Actually, it was amazing how organized everything was.  But it felt like we were being herded thru the mansion like cattle.  I could not even get one video complete before I was being moved along to the next room.  I am glad we visited Graceland.  Elvis Presley was an extremely generous man.  He loved his family and made provisions for his mother and then his grandmother to live in the mansion.  For the 20 years this was Elvis's home, it had to have been a majestic place.  It still is.  As we all know, he died too young.  He, his parents, and his grandmother are all buried at the mansion in the meditation garden.  There was also a stone for his twin brother who is buried elsewhere.  The tour on the iPad was narrated by John Stamos with some items from Elvis, his wife Priscilla, and his daughter, Lisa.  It was very well done.  I just didn't have enough time to listen to all the information for each room while I was in that location.  I'm glad we went, but wish I hadn't felt so rushed.  This was probably a fairly quiet day for the tours. Here are a few photos of our day.

When we finished our tour, we caught a bus back to the ticket area.  We needed to visit the gift shop.  

We couldn't come home without a refrigerator magnet as well as a shot glass for the collection.  Then we headed south to Hattiesburg.

Once again, much flooding was seen as we were following the Mississippi River south.  When we moved away from the river, this was less noticeable.  Mississippi as Arkansas is just so green right now.  Yes, it was flat but tons of trees that were lining both sides of the road.  Actually, a beautiful drive.  We have been so lucky that the weather although cool has been sunny.  Yes, some wind but nothing like we have been having in Kansas.  We arrived in Hattiesburg about about 5:30.  Just in time for happy hour.  We now needed to go eat a delicious supper.  We asked the fellow at the desk when we checked in where we should eat.  He suggested Georgia Blue.  It was delicious.  

Georgia Blue

James had red beans and rice.  I enjoyed shrimp and grits.  I would certainly recommend this place to others.

Shrimp and Grits

 Red beans and rice

We couldn't eat everything due to large portion sizes.  Why do they do that?  We were also saving room for the honey bun cheese cake we brought back to the Hampton Inn.  Shame on us.  Good thing I'm not keeping track of my calories while we are away from home.