Memphis, TN

After our refreshing swim/bath in the Mississippi, we trucked into Memphis in search of legendary barbeque and Elvis Presley. We found Elvis first, and proceeded to park in Graceland's RV lot. We were soon disappointed at the King's now over-commercialized home.

Just as Via Dollorosa-- the road that Jesus was made to walk as he carried the cross en route to his crucifiction-- is now overpopulated with merchants peddling rosaries, bibles, pocket-sized crucifixes, and other trivial souveniers to passing tourists, Graceland is nothing but an endless array of elvis statuettes, bobbleheads, posters, and T-shirts. For a modest $35, a visitor can tour Elvis' home. For $48, one not only tours the house, but gets access to Elvis' custom plane, Lisa Marie. $69 buys you the premium package: tours of the ranch, planes, viewing of an Elvis movie of your choice, and entry to the exclusive "Elvis VIP tour".

I wonder if when Jesus was making miracles and Elvis was making music either man could have imagined his legacy as the commercial juggernaut it is today...

Our next stop was Central BBQ. We arrived hungry and left happy- the Memphis BBQ truly lives up to its reputation.

Arkansas here we come