Memphis Moments: Graceland, Family, and a Hurricane
Tuesday: Rolling into Memphis
We made the run into Memphis early Tuesday morning. It’s always interesting to see who you’re sharing the road with—and this trip was no exception. We passed several Amish buggies and even a vegan butcher, which definitely caught our attention.
Pulling into T.O. Fuller State Park Campground felt a little shady at first. The surrounding neighborhood didn’t seem like the kind of place you’d want to walk around after dark. But the site itself was comfortable, and we were excited to visit Graceland and meet Jodi’s newly discovered half-sister.
Wednesday: Graceland and Family Connections
After breakfast, we kept an eye on the weather back home as a hurricane made landfall. We checked in with the girls to make sure they were safe, then loaded up the bike to head out. Unfortunately, our streak of bad luck continued—the bike wouldn’t start.
Thinking I’d forgotten to put it in travel mode, I tried to jump it. When that failed, I figured the battery box was too weak. I put it on the charger, but even after an hour, it still wouldn’t start. With our Graceland tickets timed, we were getting anxious. Frustrated, I pulled the seat off the bike and discovered a loose wire on the battery. Once tightened, the bike started right up—no jump box needed.
We headed off to Graceland, the home of the King. Elvis Presley bought the estate for his mother after hitting it big. After her passing, he continued living there. The home reflects Elvis’ personality while retaining its original charm. Elvis, his parents, grandmother, only daughter, and grandson are all buried at Graceland, where thousands come each year to pay their respects.
After our visit, we met Jodi’s half-sister for the first time in person. She and her husband joined us at Texas Roadhouse for a long, joyful get-together. It was heartwarming to see Jodi so happy. Before we left, the sisters made plans for dinner the next night at her sister’s house.
Thursday: Exploring Memphis
We spent Thursday exploring Memphis, starting with the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid on the Mississippi River. This wasn’t your average outdoor store—it had at least three restaurants, a hotel, and an observation deck overlooking the river and city.
After leaving the store, we wanted to explore more of the city. I had hoped to visit Bourbon Street, but it appeared to be closed, and we didn’t feel like walking that far. So we returned to the RV, checked the weather again, and headed to Jodi’s sister’s house for dinner. Dinner was fantastic, and we got back to the RV late that evening.
Friday: Storms and Stillness
Friday brought stormy weather from the hurricane that had hit earlier. We hunkered down in Memphis, spending the day relaxing and working inside the RV.
Saturday: Heading Home
On Saturday, it was time to hit the road again, heading toward home with a planned overnight at the Florida Welcome Center.
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