We all met up at the airport excited for our holiday to start. We soon flew to New York where we had a short break before our flight to Nashville. We met Kirstine in Nashville and picked our hire vehicle to take us to our hotel. We were all really tired and fell straight into bed.
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Thursday 2nd November
We are all really excited for our first day in Nashville. We went on a tour of the city so we could see it all! We went on a trolley bus and saw all the highlights of Nashville. The Johnny cash Museum (tomorrows visit!) we got off at the farmers market for lunch and a look around at all the different food before we continued on our tour taking us down Broadway to see all the Honky Tonk bars and hear the loud music. We drove up music row and saw all the recording studio’s Susan was most excited to see where Elvis would stay when he came to Nashville and the guitar shaped pool he swam in. Andrew enjoyed seeing where Johnny Cash recorded his music. We went by Manuels who was responsible for Jonny Cash becoming known as the man in Black by designing his black suits and Elvis Gold suit. That evening we were all so tired we fell into our beds.
Today we visited the Johnny Cash Museum, the museum had the largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia in the world. Everyone enjoyed the museum finding out about Johnny Cash’s life. Especially the wall from his house. Andrew particularly enjoyed the music as he is his favourite musician. After lunch in a diner we visited a boots and hat store to see all the cowboy boots and hats. We then looked round Goo goo's a delicious chocolate and marshmallow store. We finally had a look round a souvenir shop getting hats, t-shirts and pictures. It was another great day and we are all shattered again.
Today we visited the Grand Ole Opry, a country music concert hall. It broadcast live on the Radio and is the longest running radio broadcast in US History. Loads of country music legends have played there such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton to name a few. We also had a look around the Massive shopping Mall near by getting lots of gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia.
Today was our day to move to Memphis. After breakfast, we loaded up the bus and set off. We were going to Tupelo the birthplace of Elvis Presley on route to Memphis. We drove through Alabama and on to Mississippi passed the cotton fields until we finally arrived at Tupelo. We first went in the Church that Elvis would have visited as a child (it has been moved to the sight and restored) Then we visited his very small 2 roomed house and the outhouse (thank goodness we now have indoor toilets!) We all enjoyed the museum with lots of his memorabilia. We then got back on the bus for the final leg of our journey on to Memphis.
Today we were all very tired after our long journey yesterday so we have a relaxing morning. Later in the morning we visited Memphis Visitors centre to have a look round. Susan managed to get even more Elvis things! We then went to Baskin Robins for Ice cream. That evening we went to Rock n Roll café for dinner and had a great time choosing what to play on the juke box and David and Andrew enjoyed a bit of a dance.
Tuesday 7th November
This morning after breakfast some of us had postcards that we wanted to write. Today we had a tour of Memphis, we were picked up from our hotel and went firstly to Gracelands, we plan to have a look round tomorrow so not stopping today! We then went downtown to see Sun Studios where Elvis made his first record. We had a look at Beale Street and various landmarks about the city. Our tour finished with a trip to Peabodies hotel to see the march of the ducks. It was an enjoyable day.
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Today we visited Graceland. This was what Susan had been waiting for. Chris said he enjoyed today. Firstly we all were given headsets and ipads as our tour guides! We boarded the bus and took the short ride over to the mansion. It was fabulous, very elaborately decorated as it was in the 70’s. We toured the ground floor and the basement then the gardens. We paid our respects in the garden of meditation where Elvis, his parents and grandmother have all been laid to rest. We then looked round all the museum seeing all his cars, motorbikes and other vehicles. Various items of from the home that have been archived. Then we moved to Elvis in the army, icons, the entertainer museum, his fashions. We were shattered at the end of the day but had all really enjoyed ourselves.
Today we headed down to the Mississippi for a ride on a paddle steamer. It was a lovely sunny day we sat on the deck and enjoyed a drink as we were taken up the Mississippi with Tennessee on one side and Arkansas on the other bank. It was a lovely relaxing ride with our fabulous guide giving us all the history.
Friday 10th November
This morning we visited Sun Studio’s the birth place of Rock n Roll. Elvis recorded his first record here and we all had a go at singing on his mike. This is where the Million Dollar quartet played together for their first and only time, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry lee Lewis and Carl Perkins and made history with their famous Jam session. After a picnic lunch by the Mississippi we visited the glass pyramid of Bass Pro shop the biggest in America. Andrew, Chris and William all went up in the glass elevator to enjoy the view on the look out point… braving the glass floor! We are also all enjoying our meals in America.
Saturday 11th November
After breakfast it was time to say goodbye to Memphis as we headed back to Nashville to catch our flight back home.
We arrived back early this morning, said our goodbyes and can’t wait till our next holiday.
