French Toast, Ducks and the King / city of Memphis

Another state, another city and more attractions are crossed off the list. Christine and I headed on a 5 hour road trip through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to adventure through the river city of Memphis. We also popped over to Arkansas to grab a fridge magnet, I mean come on, it was just over the river in Memphis. 

While in Memphis we had the intention of exploring a handful of world famous attractions in the heart of the city. Little did we know that not much would go our way on this trip. But, not a drop of rain or a struck of lightening could ever stop us from exploring the world around us two.

Our first stop for a photo op was the house that Elvis Presley was born in at Tupelo, Mississippi.

The house has not been moved since Elvis was born and is situated in an ordinary neighbourhood. The house is as small as it looks!

Memphis was another city I’ve visited with surprising delicious food! We made a pit stop at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, it was a hole in the wall, but, oh boy did it live up to its name! Without a doubt it was some of the most mouthwatering, juiciest chicken that I’ve ever eaten! A little on the spicy side, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re passing through the city!

Our location for the night was The Peabody Hotel. The famous hotel that escorts ducks through the lobby twice a day for the guests amusement, it being a tradition since the 1930’s! A ‘duck master’ puts on a 15 or so minute presentation and marches a half a dozen ducks from the lobby fountain and up the elevator. The ducks are swimming in the fountain from 11am until 5pm everyday. World famous people have located here just to witness these ducks waddle along the red carpet! I was a lucky duck to have watched this! Yes, a lucky 'duck’…

On our morning of waking up in Memphis we had debated whether to have breakfast in bed with it being delivered to our room or search on TripAdvisor for a place to eat, just like we normally do! We took on our advice and searched for a place to eat, we had chosen The Arcade. An average sized diner hidden in the streets of the city. The breakfast was phenomenal, tasting the most exquisite french toast! It will definitely be hard to come across another plate of french toast as amazing as this one! We also had a side of bacon, hash brown and egg!

When we see an opportunity, we take it! It was a coincidence that a NBA game was being played on our night in Memphis. We purchased the tickets a couple of days before and went to the game! The Memphis Grizzlies were playing Utah Jazz and it’s most definitely one of the best sports I’ve watched!  The sound of sneakers squeaking against the court, the music in the background and the amazing players sure did put on an amazing show! I wasn’t the only Aussie in the stadium, Joe Ingles #2 for Utah Jazz was running up and down that court like no tomorrow!

I was the only spectator in the crowd sporting off a Utah Jazz jersey, but, I was supporting an Aussie and also a friend back home who adores the boys of Utah Jazz. 

Jazz - 97
Grizzlies - 91

Elvis’ grave site was situated on his property on the side of his house opposite the in-ground pool. Elvis is buried alongside his parents, grandmother and his stillborn twin brother. It was absolutely surreal to be in an atmosphere full of vibes from the most significant cultural icons in history. Not many people I know will get to say they’ve been by the King of Rock and Rolls grave site. Another lucky experience I have to cherish for years to come.