US/Canada July - September 2015

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 - Washington DC


Again up early, took the hotel shuttle to the Mall, and went for a walk around the Tidal Basin before my 9.15 Washington Monument visit.

Jefferson Memorial, too early for anything to be open.


Continued around, visited the Mason Monument, more snaps, then around to the Roosevelt Memorial.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 (cont)

More Roosevelt Memorial




Kept walking around to the MLK Memorial



Arrived at the Washington Monument around 15 minutes before my allocated time. Saw the Terrorism Security in action with an unclaimed paper bag on one of the benches near the waiting area for the memorial. Ranger asked if it was anyone's bag. No answer. Ranger went back inside, out came a Memorial Policeman, moved everyone away about 15 metres, gave the bag a prod with his finger, opened it up, then declared it's just rubbish, everyone come back.

Through the security inside the memorial, then to the waiting area for the lift to the top.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 (cont)

View from the top of the Washington Monument






Strange place for a footy oval

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 (cont)

After the visit to The Washington Memorial, decided to walk up to Arlington Cemetery

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 (cont)

Kennedy's and The JFK Eternal Flame



Curtis-Lee Mansion


View from the mansion

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 24 (cont)

Walked back down to the memorials area, grabbed a bight to eat, then off to the Holocaust Museum


Holocaust Museum is a not to be missed if in DC.




Had done a ton of walking, so headed back to the hotel and spent a while lounging by the pool, then another gourmet CVS meal.

 

[PLANT]

When did they reopen monument? It had cracks in it when I was there and closed for ongoing repairs!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 25 - Washington DC

Walked to The Capitol Building, unfortunately the Dome was undergoing restoration work.


Planned to walk to Georgetown, but after a while I just couldn't be coughd, so turned back, stopped for a coffee, another stroll through The Mall area, then lazed away the day at the hotel pool.


Early start the next morning, going to my favourite place in the states.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 26

Had booked a taxi for a 5.00am pick up to Reagan Airport for my connecting flight to Midway. Turned on the TV and was entranced by an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, have been hooked on that series ever since.
Arrived at the airport, and was disappointed that the South West Terminal was at the end of the airport building, and I wouldn't have time to get to and photograph the main hall.

In line, when an announcement is made, the following flights have been cancelled - included in these flights was my flight to Chicago. My first experience with South West wasn't looking to be a positive one. Get to thew counter,m gentleman behind does his work, will now be connecting in Houston, however flight doesn't leave until 11.00am, can't check your bags in until 9.00am. No dramas, bit of time to waste at the airport, and unfortunately will lose half a day at my target destination, out of my control, no stress.

Surfed the web for a while, then headed to the main hall, able to get photos of my favourite looking terminal, it really is stunning.




Another wander, found some rocking chairs with views of the runway, and soon enough checked in, in the C group, through security then on board for an 11.00am departure. Headed to the back of the plane, and bingo row of 3 to myself.


An uneventful flight, and soon enough arrived at Hobby. I liked Hobby, brought a couple of Rockets hats for gifts, had some Tex Mex for lunch, and a bit of a yarn with a good ole boy, who noticed my WAFC shirt, and wanted to chat about Oz.

Astrodome on descent

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 26 - Memphis




Gritty, grimey, sultry, sweaty, hint of unease, was in my favourite city - Memphis. Another uneventful flight, again with a spare seat next to me, and after about an hour from Houston, was in the nearly deserted Memphis airport.


Sudanese taxi driver had a sister living in Melbourne, don't know how that works, he ends up in Memphis, sister in Melbourne. @0 minutes and $35 later was at my downtown hotel.

Not this one


Directly across the road though, walking distance to Beale St, The Holiday Inn, stayed here on my Contiki trip a lifetime ago.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 26 - (cont)

Check in, shower, then it was off to the energy of Beale Street.


Visit to Lansky Brothers, then a stroll up and down Beale St, stopped and watched the Beale St flippers for a little while.




Time to get some south in my mouth, went to the Pig on Beale. Sat for a little while and no one showed much interest in serving me, so uprooted further up the street to the Blues City Cafe.



Spent the rest of the night bar hopping, a few beers, making sure I kept my wits about me. In bed just after midnight, having heard some great music, and looking forward to the next day.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - Memphis

Early Saturday morning stroll, not many people up and about.

Main Street


Hints of the city's former glory days


From The Firm fame

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

Strolled down to the waterfront, then headed south along the river, waterfront had been revitalized and there was the odd jogger about. Didn't want to wander too far, so soon headed back towards the hotel, and an early morning wander along Beale St.


Found the Elvis statue that for some reason I couldn't find my previous visit. Something to do with relying on reading directions from a Lonely Planet guide and walking down the wrong end of Beale. Internet has made things a hell of a lot easier for dullards like myself.


Beale Street the morning after the night before


While walking down Beale, was looking at some of the names on the Brass Notes Walk of Fame, when an older African American gentleman came up to me and started telling me about some of the performers on the walk. We had a yarn for 10 - 15 minutes, and was fascinating to listen to his recollections and stories.

A Schwab's, like stepping back in time.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

More Beale St

Wandered around the corner to the Fed Ex Arena, took a quick look in the Gibson Factory, and roamed the Rock N Soul Gift Shop. There was still about half an hour before the Graceland Shuttle was due to arrive, so went back to the hotel to have a shave and waste a bit of time. Stepped back out of the hotel 20 or so minutes later, and was greeted with it persisting down. Back up to the room to grab my jacket, then back around the corner to the Rock N Soul to grab the shuttle.

Rain was coming down harder when eventually got to Graceland, but still a little bit of a wait to get to the mansion.


Everyone was given an Ipad and headphones, however i didn't bother listening to it, much preferred to just look and move through at my own pace. One thing that had changed since I visited previously was that you were now permitted to take photos of the interior of Graceland. Upstairs were still off limits.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

Strolled through taking snaps, getting ideas for my renovations back home

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

 

[Dr Ralph]

Day 27 - (cont)

Strolled through taking snaps, getting ideas for my renovations back home
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Indeed, I'm sure the carpet room look is just about to come back into fashion again!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)



Was only a week or so after the anniversary of Elvis's death, so still a few remnants of the celebrations around.




Back over the road had a look through some of the different displays such as the airplanes, cars and the Hawaii exhibit. Of course had to have a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)



So ended my trip to Graceland, and I headed onto the Sun Studios Shuttle Bus. I had no intention of taking the Sun Studios Tour, the next available tour
wasn't till 4.30, and waiting round for 2 hours didn't appeal to me. Spoke to an Aussie couple on the bus, and they just wanted to get to Beale St, so gears ticked over in my head, and a taxi sharing arrangement from Sun Studios was looking like an option.
Got to Sun Studios, and felt a bit guilty for taking the free shuttle and not fulfilling my end of the bargain, and went into Sun. Quick lap of the bar area, and out I went. Aussie couple was standing on the street, and as a Saturday afternoon in Memphis, not much traffic around. Downtown wasn't far away, so suggested lets walk.

Pleasant 15 or so minute walk and chat to Beale St, where we went our separate ways, I ducked in to the Grizzlies team store to grab a couple of things for people back home.



Walked the couple of blocks back to the hotel, dropped off my gear, then headed off to sample the best fried chicken you could ever hope to put in your mouth.