Tennessee-Part 1-Memphis

After seeing Elvis, and Diane being kissed by him in Branson, we decided to continue our Elvis experience by touring his home, Graceland, in Memphis. We stayed in a campground right across the street from Graceland and were able to walk next door to get tour tickets and explore other Elvis exhibits. The mansion and other Elvis attractions are very well maintained, although they are surrounded by a decaying neighborhood. Tourists are shuttled across the street to see the actual house and grounds. Everything was pretty pricey, including the tour and the tons of souvenirs available. No wonder we heard Elvis is the 4th richest "dead" person in the world!

Graceland was built by a physician in 1939 and named after his wife. Elvis had promised his parents that when he was able, he would buy them a nice "house", since the family had struggled financially when he was growing up. The mansion was purchased in 1957 by Elvis and he lived there until he passed away. His parents and grandmother also resided at the home with him. Graceland is now a national historic landmark.

The mansion had all the actual furnishings that were there when Elvis was alive. We got to see the living room, kitchen, pool room, and famous jungle room. No one is allowed to go upstairs out of respect for Elvis and his family. After the house tour, we were allowed to tour the grounds. There is a building that Elvis used for racquetball which now houses the hundreds of gold records and awards that he won. It also had many of the jumpsuits that he wore for his performances. The grounds were very pretty and there still are horses grazing there. Two surprises for Art and I were that Elvis is buried at the mansion in a family plot, along with his mother, father, and grandmother, and also, Elvis had a twin brother who was stillborn.

Across the street from Graceland were other Elvis exhibits, which were included in the tour. We saw Elvis and the movies, GI Elvis, and the Elvis automobile museum. There is also an area that has the two private jets that Elvis owned, the Lisa Marie, and the Hound Dog.

After a day of touring, which we enjoyed, I decided to do some laundry back at the campground. To my surprise, while I was waiting for the wash to be done, Elvis walked into the laundry room and began to wash his clothes! I was alone and didn't know what to say. I called Art to bring over the camera and we later found out this gentleman was an Elvis impersonator, and had just been in Nashville for the country music awards. He said he was also visiting Graceland for the first time. We were able to get a picture of Elvis and I washing clothes together. What a riot!!!!!!!