Memphis is about everything American. It's history as a river port is depicted in the Riverwalk along the Mississippi showing how it flows from Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico. Again, a strong slave state, TN was a stronghold for the seperation of black and whites.
This carriage is drawn by Penney, crewed by Claudia and dog Macy. We pranced around downtown Memphis learning exactly how much this town is still racially divided but it's music is the heart and soul and the common denominator bringing folks together. After a wonderful dining experience at the world famous, Peabody Hotel, where the ducks are on parade twice a day, we journeyed to Beale St for a first hand look at the heart of the blues and the starting point of rock n roll. This section of Beale street is just 4 blocks long and baracaded like a maximum security prison to prevent any potential problems. Lots of booze and probably some drug use.
After the war, the KKK was born not far from here and there was a rather violent recontruction period. MLK was asassinated here in the 60's and this was a city where busing was part of the early civil rights, EEO movement.
This carriage is drawn by Penney, crewed by Claudia and dog Macy. We pranced around downtown Memphis learning exactly how much this town is still racially divided but it's music is the heart and soul and the common denominator bringing folks together. After a wonderful dining experience at the world famous, Peabody Hotel, where the ducks are on parade twice a day, we journeyed to Beale St for a first hand look at the heart of the blues and the starting point of rock n roll. This section of Beale street is just 4 blocks long and baracaded like a maximum security prison to prevent any potential problems. Lots of booze and probably some drug use. We stopped at Dyer's hamburger stand to get the obligatory walking margarita for the 
stroll to
listen to music drifting from every bar, court yard and watch acrobats doing back flips up and down the blocks. No need for a flash light here, neon lights do the job just fine. It's a miniature Las Vegas strip.
BB King is alive and well in Memphis. He celebrated his 85th birthday a few days after our visit and performed at his club. Beale St will never be the same.................and the journey continues
stroll tolisten to music drifting from every bar, court yard and watch acrobats doing back flips up and down the blocks. No need for a flash light here, neon lights do the job just fine. It's a miniature Las Vegas strip.
BB King is alive and well in Memphis. He celebrated his 85th birthday a few days after our visit and performed at his club. Beale St will never be the same.................and the journey continues
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