We have just about come full circle….

On December 6, 2015December 6, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized1 Comment

It seems we have almost come full circle in catching this part of the blog up – which will lead us back to Washington DC. The last blog post for Washington was seven months ago! It is almost incomprehensible that seven months have passed. The next few posts will bring everything together and it will tie up all lose ends.

Once we are all up to speed I will then work on catching up the blog to bring it to the present (December 2015). The name of my blog is also going to change during this time……just a little anyway xx

Beaufort Air Show

On December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized2 Comments

This was an incredible day out. A spectacular Air Show held at the Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort and trust me on this, no one does an air show quite like the yanks.

With over 100,000 people to entertain they pulled out all the stops. Vintage war planes, flybys, aerobatic displays by some of the best pilots around, the roar and smell of jet engines, smoke, The Blue Angels – the Navy’s flight demonstration team consisting of 6 F/A-18 hornets, parachutes, joy flights, demonstrations, air aces, aerial formations, thundering high speed low pass overs, rolls, classic cars, guns, war machines, food and beer – yes!! you can purchase beer at these amazing displays of might and power. As you can imagine, all this made for a very impressive day out. Entry was also free however for this experience, I would have very happily paid ten fold.

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Only in the US can you drink beer in front of a war machine…..God Bless America

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My survival tips for a day at an American Air Show:

EAR PROTECTION!!
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Wear sunscreen, have a hat, wear comfortable shoes and clothing because you will be doing a lot of walking, climbing stairs and also standing with your neck craned skyward
Keep well hydrated and eat often
Be patient (the lines can be long)
Work out where your toilets (restrooms) are….you will thank me for this tip
Have an open mind – you really are at one of the greatest shows on earth
And the most important tip…..have fun because you will never see anything like this again in your lifetime 🙂

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And the best part for me was that you could not wipe the smile of this face for the entire day (and long after). And when you think about it, there really is so much in life to smile about…. xx

Footnote: It’s that time of the year in America therefore ‘snow’ is falling on my blog x

Folly Island, Folly Beach and Bowens Island – South Carolina

On November 29, 2015November 30, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized12 Comments

It has taken a bit of work but I am happy to say I am catching the blog up at a rate of knots. Or, as they say here in the South – ‘I have been as busy as a one-legged cat in a sandbox’ . And trust me, said with a Southern accent, it is a wonderful expression to use.

Okay, onward and upward and on to Folly……

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River is Folly Island. This lovely 12 square mile barrier island is also known as the ‘Edge of America’. It is a laid-back and very friendly beach community which normally has a population of around 2,260 however that number swells considerably during the steamy southern summer months. This wonderful island has civil war, pirate and shipwreck history and it also has a 6 mile strip of sand on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island called Folly Beach.

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The 1,000 foot fishing pier on Folly Beach….

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There are some great bars and even better places to eat at on Folly Island and one we tried was the Folly Beach Shrimp Company. Fresh local caught shrimp done ‘101’ ways was low-country fare at its best. Teamed with local beer, sitting out in the patio area (beer-garden to Aussies) and listening to music made for an enjoyable lunch.

Bowens Island isn’t actually an island but just simply the end of a peninsular in low country ringed by marshes, creeks and wetlands. It is a beautiful but often overlooked area with abundant bird life, spertina grass species and these wonderful areas support the marine estuarine ecosystems…..and what could be better than that.

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The Bowens Island Restaurant is an icon of South Carolina. This cinderblock outpost serves up the best of local seafood in a dive atmosphere of graffiti covered walls, rickety old communal tables and chairs resemblant of Amish birthing stools! Passionately popular with locals and a favorite spot for oyster lovers.

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These oyster shell mounds, of which there are several, are as high and as wide as a bus…..

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Did I mention rustic chic…..

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And what better way to end the days in this little part of the world than seeing some of the most breathtaking of painted skies around. And I have never seen a sunset I didn’t like…… xx

Charleston – South Carolina

On November 26, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized8 Comments

Whimsical and beautiful Charleston. Impactful history, stunning architecture, beautiful mansions, City markets, the French Quarter and its Battery promenade, historic churches, its restaurants and its uber cool bars are just some of the things which attract tourists to this 1670 settled city. It is one of the most perfect places to explore on foot and there is nothing better than strolling its alluring and historic streets with the sound of the carriage horse hooves on cobblestone. Hearing that melodic sound makes for a pretty perfect day in the South.

The historic district has over 2,000 preserved and restored buildings with more than 70 of those from the pre-Revolutionary war era.

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Now interestingly, the pineapple is an historic symbol of Southern hospitality and you will see it almost everywhere in Charleston. You will discover pineapples as door knockers, jewelry, as a spectacular fountain, as finials on roof tops, as outdoor ornaments, trinkets, adornments and as wallpaper. I thought the poodle wallpaper at Graceland was wonderful until I saw the vintage baroque pineapple version.

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The stunning ‘Pineapple Fountain’ located at the Waterfront Park on Vendue Range Charleston…..

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I really am a girly girl as I do love pink. Especially on a building….

And how is this for a slightly ‘odd’ law in Charleston – when approaching an intersection in an automated vehicle the driver must stop 100 feet from the intersection and fire a gun or rifle to warn horse traffic!

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The timeless charm of a Charleston horse drawn carriage….

There are a lot of very cool bars including sophisticated roof-top bars in Charleston serving up a selection of great local craft beers and cocktails. We dropped in to a few places, one being Big Johns which is one of the oldest bars still standing in Charleston. It has everything you need for an evening of shenanigans – cheap local beer, atmosphere, pool tables, the odd Citadel cadet and bra’s (??) hanging randomly from the ceiling.

On Cumberland Street you will find Craftsman Kitchen and Tap house. Two very handsome bars filled with an array of craft beers.

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Another great place that I will very happily recommend is Holy City Brewing located 4155 Dorchester Road North Charleston. This great craft beer company brews what has now become my favorite beer ever! Bowens Island Oyster Stout – and, as the name suggests, it is actually brewed with oysters! Amazing stuff!!

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Holy City Brews and their chocolate dipped bacon which is to die for (literally), but don’t let your cardiologist know……

In South Carolina you will also find some of the oldest historic Plantations of the pre-Civil War era. One I visited was Boone Hall, founded in 1681, and it is still operating today. Boone Hall is set on 783 acres with original historic buildings including slave quarters which are still in tact. This is a fascinating place, where crops have been continually gown for well over 300 years, to spend a day.

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The beautiful entrance leading up to Boone Hall is 3/4 of a mile long and is constructed of two rows of evenly spaced live Oaks. It has taken almost two centuries for the moss draped branch’s to meet overhead to form this amazing natural corridor….

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It is so easy to fall in love with Charleston. It is colorful, vibrant and charming and there is beauty almost everywhere you look. And I don’t care if it takes me a life time but I am going everywhere…… xx

St Augustine Florida

On November 19, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized8 Comments

St Augustine, also known as the ‘ancient City’, is the nations oldest continually occupied settlement. Located in north-east Florida this city, with its stunning Spanish influenced architecture, brick-lined laneways and streets and its abundant history is the perfect place to explore on foot.

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History and architecture not your thing! Then do not fear because this town is host to some pretty impressive brew-masters, distillers and vintners who are equally matched by the fab restaurants which highlight the multitude of cultural influences from the area. And I do love that St Augustine is the patron Saint of brewers!

And just a small tip – the caffeine faithful will not be disappointed here either. There are some great indie coffee houses brewing some of the best ground beans around. You see, something for everyone.

This romantic and very pretty town is a popular tourist destination and we were very fortunate to have been able to spend two nights-three days there. There is an abundance of accommodation in St Augustine and while there, we stayed at the stunning 1888 built Moroccan inspired Casa Marco Hotel. Located in the historic district and with its fountains, ornate and elegant décor this hotel really was a stand out. Not to put too fine a point on it but I have stayed in an awful lot of places and I would have to say this is one of my favorites…..big call I know!

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St Augustine, founded in 1565, with its Spanish colonial-era buildings and its beautiful historic churches, its forts and the fact the city was also a key location for the civil rights movement will hold your interest long after you have departed.

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St Augustine, as well as being the oldest town, also has one of the narrowest streets in all of the US. At just 7 feet wide, Treasury Street, which connected the Royal Spanish Treasury to the ship docking area, was deliberately made narrow so that any would-be-thieves would find it near impossible to steal the chests of gold held there. Chests of gold! There is that romanticism and charm yet again of this amazing city…… although I did not see a pirate or any pieces of eight!

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Another feather in the cap of the town is that the oldest masonry fort in America is still there. Castillo De Sans Marco or Fort Marion as it is also known, was built in 1672. Very interestingly but sadly too, the fort was also used as a prison for captured American Indians. The mighty Indian nations such as the Comanche, Cheyenne, Apache and including Geronimo’s wives and children were held as prisoners of war here and the fort is also rumored to be one of the most haunted places in St Augustine.

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For all that we did and experienced on this journey one of my favorite memories was to watch a homeless man wash his socks, then his feet, then some small articles of clothing in the beautiful fountain outside of the very grand Ponce de Leon Hotel. After that, he seemed content to just sit for a while and enjoy. Sometimes it is the simplest of pleasure that bring the most joy to ones soul……xx

A different side to Savannah…..

On November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized9 Comments

Ethereal Savannah with its stunning Antebellum architecture and cobblestone laneways, magnolia blossom and live oaks all make for an unforgettable city. When FB and I first visited Savannah, it was in the very cold and wintery month of February 2014. The second time I saw Savannah was on a road trip with my mum and Rob who were visiting from Australia. That was in September 2014 and on both visits we stayed in the enchanting pedestrian friendly town center.

And my third sighting of Savannah. Well that was on a whim when we decided to hit the road once more. This time however, there would be no sweet tea, stately mansions or Spanish moss for us. This time we were in search of a different side to Savannah. We were looking for estuaries, tidal marshes and the beautiful wetland prairies. We were heading to an island or two just off the coast of Georgia and we were on the lookout for a fort.

Estuaries, marshes and wetlands are rich wildlife reserves and the most valuable of ecological landscapes. These around the outskirts of Savannah happen to be inhabited by fish, crustaceans, dolphins, otters, alligators and an abundance of bird life. I love these sorts of areas which are often called ‘the nurseries of the sea’. They are wonderfully serene places to find yourself in.

After a day of exploring and bird watching we headed for dinner at a great little place called Marker 107. This restaurant is located on Kilkenny Creek with views of St Catherine’s and Ossabaw Islands. This charming little place is way off the beaten track but it is definitely worth the trip and it is open Wednesday and Thursday night 5 – 9 and Friday and Saturday night 5 – 10. And do try the blackened scallops!!

The freshest and sweetest shrimp (prawns) all come courtesy of a working shrimp boat named the ‘Grey Ghost’ which is docked at the wharf, just a stones throw from the back door of the restaurant.

After a good nights sleep it was off to Fort Pulaski. This five-sided masonry fortification was built in the 19th century and it is a National Monument located on Cockspur Island. Originally built to defend Savannah against foreign attack, construction of the fort began in 1829 and it took almost 16 years to complete. The history of this fort is long, detailed and fascinating. It has been a confederate post, it has witnessed monumental battles including civil war bombardment and it has been a prisoner of war camp.

Set aside a good day to do this tour and the park is open daily from 9 – 5.

Tybee Island is also known as Savannah Beach and is located about 18 miles from Savannah. Believe it or not……and you have to believe this because it is true, Tybee Island is one of the few locations in the world where the U.S. Air Force accidently dropped an atomic bomb in a botched military exercise in 1958. Although the bomb did not detonate, the lost bomb has never been found. Interesting and down right bloody scary!

Tybee Island is a very, very popular spot with locals, tourists and holiday makers and in the holiday season the population of the island swells considerably. I do love my oceans passionately and I will pretty much take a dip wherever and whenever I can however FB thought my judgment clearly circumspect when I mentioned (very casually as I was stripping off to my underwear) that I was going in for a swim. He alluded to the fact that:

I did not have my togs with me (clearly not an issue though)
I would be wet and somewhat sandy for the long drive home, and
The clincher….he just pointed to the sign!

Now, I can honestly state that I am a very strong and experienced ocean swimmer however as I scanned the length of the beach as far as the eye could see (which was probably around 5 miles), I noted there were no another surfers or swimmers in sight. In fact, apart from the odd seabird, we were the only two people on the beach. Point taken!

No swim but a late lunch in a local Tybee café before heading home. This was not the Bundy Bear, but he was pretty familiar and it was nice to see.

Wanderlust is in my blood and that will never change. You can always travel the well worn path or search for something new but either way, the best part will be that you will return home to find yourself a little better a person just for having been there. Swim or no swim….. xx

‘The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival’ in Memphis

On November 9, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized2 Comments

The South is a place where legendary story tellers have created folktales which weave a beautiful and rich history and the Cajun story of how the crawfish came to be is no different. This account by the way is gospel, as indeed are most of the stories told in the South……….

‘The crawfish originally began life as lobsters but travelled on a very long journey south with the exiled people of French Acadia, an area known as Maritimes in Canada today. It was such a lengthy, arduous and treacherous journey that by the time the lobsters reached their final destination they were mere shadows of their former selves. They had lost so much weight and condition they transformed into crawfish’.

A beautiful warm sunny day in Memphis and the smell of steaming spiced crawfish lured us to the ‘Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival’. A one-day-only celebration of the humble crawfish held near the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

It is mesmerizing to watch the efficient brutality in which these little crustaceans are prepared and dispatched.

Now twenty bucks at this festival will buy you a three pound bucket of brick red, steaming crawfish. And the bonus, you don’t get potatoes or corn with that either. Just beautiful sweet crawfish. Don’t like crawfish! Then ten dollars will buy you a 1/4 bucket of shrimp. Don’t like shellfish of any kind!! That’s okay too because there are plenty of vendors who will happily serve up all kinds of Southern and Cajun classics.

So with a cold beer in hand, bums firmly planted on a curb, the heady waft of cooked shellfish in the air and a bucket or three of crawfish we settled in for some messy good fun. And the verdict on the crawfish……..just excellent!!

My two best tips for this festival:

Definitely go!
Definitely take cash!!

As it seems with all things cooked in the South, the Cajun food is no different. It is plentiful, well seasoned, rustic and cooked with much love. We were absolutely and very happily stuffed full so barely able to move, we slowly headed back toward Beale Street…….but that’s another story waiting to be told xx

Graceland, Memphis Tennessee

On November 5, 2015November 5, 2015 By oceangirl63In UncategorizedLeave a comment

Sometimes, you need to give yourself a gift and when you do, you need to take that gift without guilt or obligation……..

Which is exactly what I did when I purchased two ‘Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tour and Airplanes Tour’ tickets. Wohoo! I know, pinch me please and pinch me hard. I was headed to the home of THE KING and I was dragging the big guy along with me!!

This was amazing. It was a long held dream of mine to go to Graceland so as you can imagine, I was up at a sparrows on this particular morning.

Just after 9.00 am we pulled up in the car park and I leapt from my seat with an athleticism I surely do not possess, and we left…….okay, we were ushered out, at closing time which was 5.00 pm. Apparently it usually takes visitors about three to four hours to complete their tours however by my guesstimate, we took a little longer than that.

Graceland is set on a 13.8 acre estate and is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard. It is a charmingly pretty home which receives just over 620,000 visitors per year. It is a time capsule of sorts and a museum and it is exactly how Elvis left it on the day he died, August 16 1977. Graceland has also been placed on the ‘National Register of Historic Places’ and has been declared a ‘National Historic Landmark’.

Graceland has 23 rooms. Once through the front doors you step into the foyer and into another world. From here you can see Elvis’s living room, the music room complete with Baby Grand, Elvis’s mothers’ bedroom decorated with the sweetest of poodle wallpaper, the dining room and the stair case leading upstairs. The second floor is completely private and off limits to all and no one other than immediate family are permitted up there. This is where Elvis’s bedroom, dressing room and bathroom are located and although sealed, they are keep exactly as they were on the day he died.

From there, it was along the hallway to Elvis’s kitchen. A rather dark, wood paneled room where I think an awful lot of bacon and fried chicken was cooked.

After the kitchen tour, we followed the staircase down to the basement and arrived at the pool room. The pool room is completely encased in pleated printed fabric which covers all four walls and the ceiling plus the same fabric was used to cover the couches and the ‘scatter’ pillows on the couches. Quirky and interestingly intricate to say the least. It took three men ten days to complete the room and they used 400 yards of fabric to do so.

From there it is along to the TV room which holds three TV’s all of which Elvis apparently liked to watch simultaneously. He also loved to watch the telecasts of the NFL every Sunday. There is also a pull down movie screen, a jukebox, Elvis’s record collection and a personal collection of shells and nick knacks above the wet bar in this very cool room. My favorite touch was the lightening bolt with the letters TCB which means ‘taking care of business’ (in a flash). TCB was Elvis’s personal credo and words he lived by.

And now for one of my favorite rooms. The Jungle Room. The notoriety of the Jungle Room is not undeserved. And I don’t care what anyone says. That man had taste and it is no more prevalent than in the décor of this amazing space. The Jungle Room was designed by Elvis with Hawaii (his favorite vacation spot) in mind. Not to put a too fine a point on it but this super retro room has avocado green shag pile carpet from floor to ceiling and it is chock full of faux fur animal print, plants, a waterfall, intricately carved dark wood furnishings and tiki’s.

On the tour of Graceland you also have access to the grounds, the trophy room, the Meditation Garden which is Elvis’s final resting place along with other Presley family members and the racquetball building which now houses some of the iconic jumpsuits Elvis wore. And this was jumpsuit heaven!

My favorite Elvis impersonator looking cute with the iPad available for your use during your tour. It is narrated by John Stamos who walks you through the life and the home of Elvis room by room……

After the tour of Graceland we headed back across the road. As we had the VIP tickets we also had access to Elvis’s private car collection, tours of both of his private jets plus unlimited access to view private exhibits, archives and memorabilia.

And did I indulge in the favorite food of the King while on my pilgrimage to Graceland. Of course! The quintessential ‘Fried Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana Sandwich’. And dang, it was good! Actually, it was better than good, it was GREAT! So great in fact that it has become a breakfast staple of mine. If I had a conscience I would probably feel guilty about eating this sandwich on a weekly basis but luckily for me I don’t….have a conscience that is!

This really was a great day. It was fun, it was history, happiness and nostalgia soaked and it was a place that I had dreamed of visiting since I was a young girl. And I guess that’s just the way of dreams because if you dream a beautiful dream, sometimes you actually get to do it.

Elvis has left the building…..xx

Long-distance information get me Memphis Tennessee…….

On November 2, 2015November 5, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized10 Comments

I know, you are going to have that great Chuck Berry song running through your head now……..and by the way, you are most welcome.

I am feeling extraordinarily nostalgic in this post because joy of joy, we’ve hit Memphis. Now, I planned to do an awful lot on this trip so I have broken it down into a couple of sections and I will endeavor to post it all over a couple of blogs.

Memphis is amazing. It is all that I hoped for and so much more. It is home of the blues, the birthplace of rock and roll, it has GRACELAND!!, civil rights history, bars, Beale Street, Sun Studio and barbeque. Now eating in Memphis is not for the faint of heart……just ask Elvis! In this gut-busting town ‘barbeque’ reigns supreme. There is meat, meat and more meat. Eating here requires the stamina, the endurance and the will of a long distance runner. You will never go hungry as there is something for everyone……okay, not including vegetarians!

As this was another of Steve’s work trips that I very happily got to tag along on, I made the most of it. I walked for miles, explored this amazing city and its backstreets, marveled at the history, the beauty, the architecture and the life blood of this town. It was a wonderful experience.

Beale Street – this is the history and heart and soul of Memphis and it really comes into its own after dark. If you want to hear great music, see amazing bands, hang out in some fab old bars with the locals and soak up the atmosphere then this is the place to be. Beale Street runs from the Mississippi River to East Street and is just over 1.8 miles long. It can get a little over-crowded and noisy, especially at night, but my guess would be that it may just be a once in a lifetime experience so enjoy it for all that it is. We were so lucky to experience Beale Street with great friends and it doesn’t get better than that.

Sun Studio – located in downtown Memphis, Sun Studio helped launch the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and B. B. King to name a small few and the studio is still in use today. A fascinating place for any music lover.

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel – this was a true highlight for me. This is where Martin Luther King Jnr was assassinated on April 4th 1968. He was 39 years old. The exhibits trace the history of the civil rights movement in America from the 17th century until now and the museum is built around the hotel. This museum should be top on anyone’s list when in Memphis. It is heartbreakingly thought provoking, yet inspiring. It is located at 450 Mulberry Street Memphis and is open everyday except Tuesday.

After haunting the backstreets of Memphis I thought this city held no more secrets from me, then I discovered….. ‘Earnestine and Hazel’s’! This is a legendary, greasy juke joint and a former brothel. It has a haunted bar, hipsters, low life’s and now moi sitting at the bar. Now I don’t usually hang out in bars during daylight hours (oh, who am I kidding) but if I did, I would certainly be spending my days here. This wonderful place is as famous as hell to the locals and I loved it. When here, definitely have the famous ‘soul burger’ – a greasy little burger patty smashed flat on a hot grill. What can I say. It was delicious burger simplicity and a perfect partner to a cold PBR especially after a long day of exploring. Earnestine & Hazel’s is located at 531 South Main Street Memphis and bring cash!!

The famous Peabody Ducks – I love ducks. I actually love ducks almost as much as I love cats so the Peabody was a perfect haunt for me. The Peabody Hotel was constructed in 1869 and was reputed to be one of the finest hotels in the South….and I can’t argue with that! It is stunning. At 11am each day the resident ducks make their way down from their rooftop suite, along the red carpet and off to the Peabody Fountain located in the middle of the hotel. They spend their day splashing about, eating and being photogenic. At 5pm the ‘King Cotton March’ is played and the ducks hop out of the fountain and make their way back along the red carpet to the elevator where they are returned to their rooftop suite for the night. The duck parade has been going on since 1930 and its pretty wonderful. The Peabody is also the perfect place for a ‘ducking good’ cocktail so sit back and enjoy but do get there early to grab a comfy seat. What could be better.

The Gibson Guitar Factory – located on 145 Little George W Lee Avenue (and just around the corner from Beale Street) is where you will see true luthiers making these one of a kind guitars. Amazing skill and workmanship at its finest.

I managed to catch up with Steve one day when he finished work a little early and we grabbed a bite to eat at ‘Miss Polly’s Soul City Café’. This place is all about peace, love and fried chicken so as you can imagine I was feeling a little sancti-‘fried’. One great place to eat if you are ever in Memphis

Some other great places to see, do, go and eat at in Memphis are:

The Memphis Farmers Markets Saturday 7am till 1pm
The Historic South Main Street
The Memphis Botanic Gardens
Charles Vergos Rendezvous – great ribs grilled over charcoal (situated between Monroe and Union Avenues) where we once again enjoyed the company of great friends.

Gus’s World of Fried Chicken – just off Beale Street where every piece of chicken is freshly coated in buttermilk, cayenne pepper and paprika then fried in a vat of boiling peanut oil. Bloody beautiful!
The Cozy Corner – this place opened the day after Elvis died in 1977. Everything is cooked to order and damn near perfect. Their Cornish Game Hens are smoked whole. 745 N Parkway Street
Huey’s – head here for burgers. Also feel free to write on the walls and take your cellophane frilled toothpick and put it into your straw. You now have a blow dart!…..which you can shoot into the low slung ceiling tiles. How cool is that! Danger and meal all in one.

And of course my favorite vintage stores:

Flashback – 2304 Central Avenue
Red Velvet Lounge – 509 South Main Street
Garbo’s – (as in Greta not rubbish) 28s Idelwild ST
Hoot and Louise – 109 East GE Patterson Ave

What an experience but stay tuned, there is so much more to come. Again, we are so fortunate to be on this journey and one should never forget how blessed we, all of us, truly are xx

Some navigate by the stars……..

On October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 By oceangirl63In Uncategorized5 Comments

As I wrote in the blog I recently posted, I am going to try to catch my blog up after a hiatus of almost 4 months. If you read the previous blog it will give you an idea of how the blog will eventually run full circle and it will also help you understand why. So fasten your seat belts and acquaint yourselves with the exits because we are in for a bumpy ride……….

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Once again we have indulged in the great American pastime of road tripping. And this time I was on a road trip to true happiness. I was headed to Graceland in Memphis Tennessee! And a note of interest with regards to the state of Tennessee – a whale (apparently) is the only animal you are allowed to hunt from a moving vehicle!

I do love the Southern states of America. They have an indomitable and wonderful charm about them and the heat of a Southern afternoon is like wading through tissue paper. It is a place where the people are friendly because they have been raised to be polite, gracious and kind. The food is great (really great) and be assured you will get the best fried chicken and waffles around. Southerners love their confederate flag and their guns almost as much as they love the bible and they have a perversely wonderful vocabulary which is perfect for any linguiphile. The ‘expressions’ they use are at times mystifying yet rich and vivid. You cannot mistake the meaning of declarations from those in the South especially when little gems such as this are uttered ‘oh she’s busier than a cat buryin’ shit on a marble floor’. Sadly though, their ways, passion and spirit are often misunderstood and some label those from the South as ill-educated, red-necked and dumb which could not be further from the truth! I guess there will always be those in the world who live their lives in narrow mindedness and ignorance because finding fault in others no doubt makes their own shallow lives appear more interesting.

I do believe the plate is 100% fat free…….

Anyway, first stop along the way in this military precision planned trip was Tupelo. Birthplace of Elvis. The King!! Not only does Tupelo offer you The King and the home in which he was born (January 8th 1935…..I’m handy to have on your table at a trivia night), but also his childhood church, civil war history and a battlefield, an automobile museum, a buffalo park, handmade chocolates and the famous Tupelo honey.

Believe it or not, there are 150 restaurants in Tupelo for a population of just over 35,000. Who would have thought! Although we (okay, I was) on the hunt for one place and one place only. Johnnies Drive In. Apparently it was one of the places Elvis liked to hang out at and it is reputed to be the oldest restaurant in Tupelo. It was great fun and a bit of nostalgia never hurt any one. We also, very luckily, got to sit in the same booth that Elvis liked to occupy. After realizing we were Australians, the couple who were sitting in the booth when we arrived, gave it up for us to sit in. See, there’s that beautiful Southern hospitality once again.

Gene Simmons without ‘make-up’….apparently!!

I love that wherever I seem to go I always find a little bit of John Wayne and there he was on the wall of ‘Johnnies’…..and a Queensland number plate! What tha!

Steven’s face after my suggestion of perhaps a little fried chicken and waffles on the side to finish with…..after we had eaten cheeseburgers and fried onions! I reasoned, and I believed I had a very strong case, that we were after all in Tupelo and we may not pass this way again.

Fuelled with a rather full belly it was off to see the home where Elvis was born, the church he sang in, the family car and lots of Elvis history.

The ‘Elvis Presley Birthplace’ is a museum, an historic site and a memorial all rolled into one. It is a fascinating place to visit and it highlights the humble beginnings of one of the greatest cultural icons the world has ever seen. The grounds are beautifully tranquil and you can take as much time as you like just wandering about.

This small, neat little framed home in which Elvis was born, was built by his father Vernon Presley. It is the type of dwelling often referred to as ‘a shotgun house’ because it is a narrow rectangular residence where you can (if you feel the need) fire a shot from the front door to the back door.

Tupelo really was a highlight and although some navigate by the stars, our wanderlust is navigated via the odd, quirky or strange attractions and very often the numerous off beat food joints…..and there is nothing wrong with that xx

oceangirl – these are my stories

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