Day Fifty - Monday, Oct. 22

We followed the GPS to Graceland today. Elvis purchased Graceland in early 1957 for approximately $100,000. The grounds are just under 14 acres. It was his home and he died at the estate on August 16, 1977. Elvis, his parents Gladys and Vernon Presley, and his grandmother, are buried there in what is called the Meditation Gardens.

We paid $6.00 for parking and then paid $27.00 each for the tour. We got $3.00 off each tour with coupons we printed out from an on-line site. After boarding a shuttle bus we took a short ride across Elvis Presley Blvd. to the Graceland grounds. We were let off at the front door where we entered the mansion.

Inside we listened to a audio tour and walked through the home. It is a two story American "colonial" style mansion with a basement. We did not tour the second floor. We did see the kitchen, dining room, living room, pool room and other areas. Outside we saw the grounds where Elvis kept horses. Some of the detached buildings included a racquetball court, smokehouse (that Elvis used as a shooting range) and an office used by his father. He also had a swimming pool and the Meditation Gardens.

Our last stop on the mansion tour was the Meditation Gardens where Elvis, his mother, father and grandmother are buried.

Back across the street, we saw Elvis' car collection and many of the jumpsuits he wore during performances. We also toured his private jets. One jet, the one he travelled in, he purchased in the mid-seventies for $250,000 and spent $800,000 to refurbish it to his tastes.

After touring Graceland we headed to Beale Street for a late lunch. Beale Street is where BB Kings and other Cajun restaurants are located. We had a recommendation from a couple on the tour that we should try Kings Palace Cafe. We had one of the best restaurant meals we've ever had!!! We decided on a dish called Cajun Feast for two. At $23.95 it had everything we wanted to try. On one plate we had Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee, Gumbo, Blackened Catfish on Rice, Voodoo Potatoes, Voodoo Chicken and Fried Green Tomatoes. Everything was great! I love Catfish and Ann fell in love with the Fried Green Tomatoes. Ann also had a Hurricane to drink. A Hurricane has Rum, Pineapple juice, Orange Juice, Grenadine and Bacardi 151 Rum floater.

We STRONGLY recommend this restaurant to anyone coming to Memphis.

Despite the rainy weather, we didn't get too wet. The rain cooperated for the most part and stopped when we were outside. By the time we got back to the coach, it was raining. We stayed in and played a game of Scrabble before watching Dancing with the Stars.

The first picture shows Ann standing at the grave of Elvis Presley. Second picture is the front of Kings Palace Cafe on Beale Street, Memphis.