MEET MY SISTER

Well, after a winter of "change in plans", I have finally started my East Coast trip! Yay!  I left "the lake" last Tuesday and arrived in Memphis, TN on Wednesday.

I decided to start my trip in Memphis because my sister lives here. She married a pilot for Fed Ex, and since Memphis is the headquarters for Fed Ex, they live in Memphis. It has taken me YEARS to forgive her for moving away from Texas but I guess "love" and "having to make a living" are pretty good excuses. :)

 

Me and my sister Lori

 

When we were growing up, she was the "pretty" one, I was the "smart" one, and our other sister was the "funny" one. So, she spent most of her adult life trying to be smart; I spent most of my adult life trying to be pretty; and our other sister, well, she didn't really care.  Our mother would turn over in her grave if she knew that was the message we all received from her because she and my Dad tried their hardest to treat us girls all the same and make no difference between us. Isn't it strange the messages our kids get from things we do and say as parents?  I just told my kids that I did the best I could as a parent and if they felt like I had sent them "damaging" messages, just get over it or go get counseling. :)  Sorry, let's get back on track.

 

In all the times I have visited my sister, I have never been to Beale St.  So, this time, I made a trip to see what Beale St. is all about.

 

One of the first places I saw was the Gibson guitar factory.  Yep, they make Gibson guitars in Memphis.  If you like guitars, you will like this place.  You can even take a tour through the factory and watch as they make the guitars.  All of the tours were already full on the day I went.  So, word to the wise, call ahead and book your reservation for the tour.

 

As you walk into the Gibson store/factory

They still make guitars for Peter Frampton and here are some.

One of many displays

One of Duane Allmon's guitars

 

 

I walked out of Gibson guitars and walked onto Beale St.  It sort of reminded me of a miniature French Quarter with restaurants and outdoor patios for listening to musicians as you have refreshments. You can hear all the musicians from the street.  I'm sure this place is a lot more "lively" after the sun goes down, but seeing it in the sunshine was fine with me.

 

Looking up Beale St.

This guy was tap dancing with his cane.  He was trying to entice people to go into his restaurant and have lunch.  Of course he stopped dancing when I took the picture! Every restaurant/patio has someone standing at their door doing something to try and draw people into their place.

We went by this store that had guitars as toilet seats! Doesn't everyone need a guitar as a toilet seat? What a conversation piece.........

Me, Lori, BIL, and Mr. W in one of the patios listening to a guy who sang some great music.  He did some Jackson Brown, B.B. King, and other "oldies" by some great artists. (Mr. W is taking the pic)

While we were listening to the musician, we were also being entertained by the goat that kept walking up and down the ramp on this pole.  And every restaurant needs a goat with a ramp because.......?  I guess to entertain their customers!

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Beale St. was to visit Sun Records on the way.  BIL could not find it after driving around for quite a while.  So, we gave up.  On the way home, we accidentally found it.  Did I mention that BIL was a pilot?  I actually thought that a sense of direction was important for a pilot.....maybe not.  I may go back on Monday now that I know where it is.

 

Just a side note - My sister is not well.  Please pray for her and her family. 

 

Love you Lori!  Even if you are the "pretty" one! :)