Memphis and Graceland (TN part 3)

After Little Rock we headed to Memphis for church and a tour of Beale Street. We also did the full tour of Graceland and I have a new respect for Elvis. Unfortunately, the RV started giving us problems and we had to cut it short. But Graceland was a good choice for a tour. And of course we had to have BBQ!

Highlights by Mom:

• Getting to know Elvis
• A welcoming church in Memphis
• Listening so that I pulled over instead of driving through 50 mph gusts on the road
• Another Walmart parking lot haven - with a Redbox!
• Deciding to head straight to St Louis to have RV repaired - and they said it was really a miracle that I had made it this far.
• Gerri Caldwell - instant rescuer for misplaced homeless travelers

Little Rock, AR

We didnt spend a ton of time in Arkansas, but we did stop by Central High School where the Little Rock Nine broke through stereotypes and stagnation of thought. It is a beautiful high school and was pleased to learn it is still in use today. Plus it was near to camp right on the Mighty Mississippi and watch barges go by.

Highlight  by Mom:

• Exposing kids to groundbreaking thoughts
• Seeing the Mississippi flow by our site

Mississippi was quick

We literally drove into Mississippi, but only along the edge to Vicksburg to see another 

Civil War Battle sight, much to Hannah's delight.

Highlights by Mom:

• Learning  more about the Civil War
• Seeing tiny signs of spring start to appear

Louisiana and beignets!

Making it to New Orleans and weather above 40 degrees was wonderful, but the food and sights of NOLA made it excellent. We toured the city (though O and H were totally not going into the cemeteries!), ate beignets every chance we got, tried all sorts of local food (etoufee, jamalaya, red beans and rice, crawfish, cumbo, fried pickles and much more) and took in the jazzy culture of it all.

Highlights by Mom:

• Food, glorious food - beignets, cajun cooking, fried pickles.
• Boudreau and Thibodeau jokes.
• Hearing jazz, though it was cool enough that not many street musicians were out.
• Staying on NAS JRB NOLA - awesome base.
• Having a rental car to drive around in and being able to attend Wed night church.
• Seeing bayou and cypress knees.