Monday 16/05/2011
Very chilly this morning in Memphis - 50F Bbrrrrrrrrr! Bit of a change from the 90 F in the Smokies a few days ago! Back on with the jeans, jacket and scarf!
President Obama is visiting the city today so using H240, the most direct route, wasn't an option to get to Graceland because of road blocks for his cavalcade from Memphis Airport. Mr President is attending a High School Graduation - I can imagine how excited and nervous the students who are speaking at the function must feel, but what an honour!
Thanks to locals, who gave us the low down on the back roads to use, we arrived at suburban 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis without any holdups and having enjoyed the tour through the local residential neighbourhoods.
Graceland! What a beautiful family home Elvis made it! It's called a mansion - and it certainly is impressive to look at but not enormous like I imagined, and while decorated beautifully and strikingly (Elvis and Priscilla's young tastes), you can feel the warmth and love that existed there. Set back from the road on an acreage, Elvis, his family and friends enjoyed his beloved home - and you can understand why! He had everything he loved there- and lots of toys! Elvis loved to have fun!
Elvis came from a poor, but loving family and grew up in Tupelo. He was the first family member to graduate from High School, of which they were all very proud of. On leaving school he worked as a delivery truck driver and as we know made that career launching trip to Sun Studios. Even if you aren't an Elvis fan you would enjoy a visit to Graceland, so come on.
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| The entrance gate from the street |
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The front yard as you drive up from the street
Lisa Marie remembers many a game here, and driving around
in carts and snowmobiles. Elvis only called her Lisa if he was mad with her,
otherwise it was Yisa, Buttonhead, Sweetcheeks or Injun. |
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| The front of the beautiful house |
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| Living Room |
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| His favourite piano room |
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| Photo of his mum and dad on the side table |
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| His mum and dad's bedroom |
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| The dining room |
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| The kitchen |
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| The bar |
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| The TV Room |
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The Pool Room
Lined with fabric |
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| The Jungle Room |
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| The Office-this was in a separate building in the back yard off the carport |
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| Paddocks at the back of the house for the horses |
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| Lisa's play set near the office |
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| Backyard |
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| Swimming pool |
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| Racquetball Building |
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From this.........
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| To this........Elvis bought Graceland at 22 years of age |
While at Graceland you can also see his car collection, his costumes, his awards, his recording hits, his aeroplanes and all sorts of other memorabilia. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Just a few more glimpses of The Kings life.....but you really must visit there to feel the real vibes and enjoy the history!
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| Click to enlarge |
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| Elvis's toys |
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| One of his well known cars |
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| Click to enlarge |
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His aeroplanes
One trip was to Colorado so Lisa Marie could see snow - they
played in the snow for a few hours and flew back home |
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Elvis's fashion
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| Just a few of his costumes that are on display |
What an amazing career.........
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1968, an enormous year in History and a pivotal year in Elvis's life....................
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| Click to enlarge |
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His song "If I Can Dream"
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Elvis's symbol created by himself and Priscilla.
Taking care of business and the lightning bolt.
He was so proud and excited about his design that
he had a necklace ordered the same night he designed his symbol -
the jeweller was woken at midnight! |
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| Click to enlarge |
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Elvis's dad's grave - of course he was very proud of Elvis.
Elvis had a twin brother , Jesse Garon, who died at birth. |
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