Woke up before the breakfast bar was setup. I’ve been getting up at 430 local time, 530 eastern–still dont want to change my watch.
Had all my errands ran by 1030. Laundry, grocery, pharmacy, hardware store. Had to run to the Home Depot because I lost my first item to the river yesterday. My bilge pumps extension hose popped off when I was a little careless putting back under a bungee and it didn’t waste any time diving down deep. Ive dropped my headlamp and gloves in as well, but was able to recover them both. But replacing this hose is a must bc it is what removes water that gets into the boat. If you look at the pic below the water goes in where my finger is and comes out the now pvc pipe. Without the pipe I’d be pumping water back into the boat.
But after errands and eating a bunch of fruit and veggies from kroger i pushed out into memphis again. I’ve gone to this coffee shop Qahwa (i think its spelled that way) both days. It has Turkish roots, tables in an old bank vault, and they do coffee/esspresso the way it should be done–realll goood. Skip starbux in memphis and check out qahwa. But after some coffee and Googling/texting friends for suggestions I decided first to visit the MLK assassination spot/civil rights museums. It was odd seeing the exact scene from those black and white reels I’ve seen in high school history. Fedex looked to be having a corporate thing and there was a large line to get in, so I did not view the museum.
After that I wanted to go to one of the famous studio museums Sun (country – elvis, johnny cash, more) or Stax (soul – otis, ray charles, al green, more). On a tip from my friend Greg, I chose to go to Stax and was very glad I did.
Isaac Hayes’ Cadillac from Shaft.
BB King’s Grammy
Otis Redding’s Grammy
After that I tried to check out Elmherst cemetery since it was close. But I tried 2 of the 3 entrances which were locked and barbed wire across the top and didnt want to walk around. So i bussed and walked back through some rougher areas in memphis. Not detroit rough, but dont go there if you don’t have to.
Ate some awesome bbq at Central BBQ and got a pork plate. I learned to ask for “extra bark”, the tougher outside pieces, as it adds some texture to everything. As good as their bbq is, i would go back just for the homemade banana pudding. It was the best dessert I’ve had in a long while. I hope they’re open before I leave tomorrow.
Central BBQ
But feeling full and pretty exhausted already I decided a dip in the pool and a nap sounded better than commuting all over town. So i relaxed a bit for the rest of the day save running out to Midtown for an hour to check out the Lamplighter, a chill hipster bar. Talked to some folks there for a bit then am back ready to get back out there again tomorrow. We are halfway distance-wise. Excited to see some Arkansas and Mississippi river banks.
Midtown graffiti
The Mall on Main I believe
Nana
Jul 25, 2014 -
Grandpa and I went to all those places the last time we were in Memphis. We stayed at the Peabody Hotel. A very old hotel close to Beale St. They have ducks that at a certain time of day, come down the elevator and march through the lobby to the pond in the middle. They jump in and swim around and have fun. At another certain time, they all jump out of the pond and file through the lobby to the elevator. They go up to the roof where they stay I think someone else pressed the buttons on the elevator. They’re pretty short. Google it. We had dinner on Beale St. Great trip!
We went to Stax and saw Pretty much all the same things you just described. Good memories. Enjoy!
Love you,
Nana
Zach
Jul 26, 2014 -
wish i’d have seen the ducks at peabody. but it was a lil too fancy for me, woulda cost me more than the trip to stay there two nights! But I’m glad you were at stax as well. I need to listen to so much more music is the biggest thing ive leanred from being in the middle south
David Mitchell
Jul 25, 2014 -
Helena is about 60 miles South of Memphis. Make sure you stock up on food and water there in Helena because I don’t see much after that for about 150 miles when you hit Vicksburg. Stay safe. Love you.
Zach
Jul 26, 2014 -
good call. I’m in helena now. got rosedale with a days paddle then greenville a day after that. food is never a problem, its water. i can only carry about 3 days worth–just drinking so much out in this heat.
kelsey hahn
Jul 25, 2014 -
You have no idea how jealous I am that you got to visit stax. It almost hurts. When you’re done, i would like to hear all about this particular part, maybe other parts to come. Glad the trip has been this awesome so far! Here’s hoping the rest is as great or better.
Ps I have referred other people to your blog. You’re nearly famous!
Zach
Jul 26, 2014 -
yes, stax would be your spot in memphis. Prob be worth a trip just for that. the museum isnt very large, but they do have a lot of quality pieces and a good intro film. Thank ya for letting people in on the lil adventure!