Tennessee No. 31 of 50*

Tennessee, our neighbor!  Oh, what connections we have!  I don't even know where to start???  

We went to the Peabody Hotel in Memphis before there was ever one in Little Rock.  (I love the Duck Parade; aren't we lucky to have them parade in Arkansas).  We made the two-hour car trip to the Memphis Cook Convention Center to see the Ramses the Great exhibit in 1987; Splendors of the Ottoman Sultans (and The Etruscan exhibit at the Pink Palace) in 1992; and Catherine the Great in 2004.

Lt to Rt: Chuck, Me,
and awesome cousins visiting
First Tee at Williams Creek
!

I have cousins in Knoxville.  

First Tee of Knoxville
at Williams Creek

Coming from SC into TN
into Gatlinburg

Chuck and I visited them and the First Tee in Knoxville when we were coming from South Carolina through Gatlinburg heading to Little Rock.

We stopped to eat, but didn't linger as we had already been there on our way back to Little Rock from Myrtle Beach, SC.  

We have been through Memphis on the way to Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.  I am not counting the times we have flown through Memphis on the way to points West and East.  There is no easy way to get anywhere from Little Rock, Arkansas!

The Hermitage,
Nashville...
When you looked from the
2nd floor balcony,
the lawn was shaped
like a guitar.

 In my first lifetime I went to the Grand Ole Opry in the Ryman Auditorium and at Opryland, the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Hermitage at Nashville, Andrew Jackson's Home.

Elvis' Limo?

Gates into Graceland

Oops...how did I forget???  1970...  Graceland!!!  

Entrance to Home at Graceland

I actually walked up the drive and looked into this Limo... There were no tours because he lived at Graceland.  In hindsight, this was an awesome experience...and I was not an Elvis Fan.  I have come to appreciate his music more as I look back!


Fond memories of Tennessee!

*For "new to my blog" friends...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.

 I can now say that I have been in, to or through all 50 United States.

 I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of

 the 50 States. 

We've been to Margaritaville...

Looking for our lost shaker of salt!!!  









We didn't have to go far-just 
across the Arkansas River to
North Little Rock to the Verizon Arena.  







Jimmy Buffett and his entourage hit town Thursday.  The actual show didn't start until 8pm, but the festivities started the day before when the RVers started arriving.  We got there about 5pm on Concert day...just strolled around and watched all of the Parrotheads getting crazy. And, yes

there is a Parrothead Club in Little Rock.




The doors opened at 6:30pm and we made it in by 7pm; had our chicken fingers and beer; and headed for our seats.  We were lucky to get them.  The concert was sold out in 90 minutes.  Chuck stood in line for a couple of hours at the Arena Box Office.  By the time he got to the window the floor and the next tier of seats were sold.  

We actually had pretty good seats.  We were on the west side,up high, but not the "nose-bleed" seats.  We left before the finale to beat the crush and to give our ears and feet a rest.  It was really loud and definitely foot-stomping/hand-clapping music. 

Margaritaville, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I am going to download one of his albums from I-Tunes so I can hear the words to some of his less played songs.  Margaritaville was about it for me...we have actually been to Margaritaville in Jamaica. We can say we've been there, but don't need to go to another one...too touristy.  

Great show...if you ever get a chance-GO!as early in the day as you can.  All of the "fun" is part of the appeal...and if weather permits, wear your craziest beach clothes and flip-flops.  You won't be disappointed. 

Nibblin on sponge cake

Watchin the sun bake

All of those tourists covered with oil

Strummin my six-string

On my front porch swing

Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil

Chorus:

Wastin away again in margaritaville

Searching for my lost shaker of salt

Some people claim that there's a woman to blame

But I know it's nobody's fault

I don't know the reason

I stayed here all season

Nothin to show but this brand new tattoo

But it's a real beauty

A Mexican cutie

How it got here I haven't a clue

I blew out my flip-flop

Stepped on a pop-top

Cut my heel had to cruise on back home

But there's booze in the blender

And soon it will render

That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

Chorus:

Wastin away again in Margaritaville

Searching for my lost shaker of salt

Some people claim that there's a woman to blame

But I know it's my own damn fault

Yes and some people claim that there's a woman to blame

And I know it's my own damn fault

Lyrics | Jimmy Buffett lyrics - Margaritaville lyricsn>