We were up and at it by 6am for our early morning flight to Memphis, and that my friends is so far before TCON we were worried that we might miss the flight. Linc and Lola weren’t very happy when they realized that this trip didn’t include them.
We made it to Hobby in record time…seems like most folks were still home in bed.
Settling into my spacious SWA seat at 7:30am, I dozed off, only to awake upon landing and realizing I’d missed my free Bloody Mary wake-up call.
We set off from the airport, stopping only for a classic Memphis breakfas
t before making our way to Summer Avenue.
The secret surprise was taking shape.The birthday girl was off on a plant-buying spree with Michael, a clever distraction.
Our job? Prepare the stage. Liquorshopping, bar setting, beer icing, and arranging the backyard with patio umbrellas and cozy outdoor seating.
Then, the anticipation.
We’ve crossed paths with most of the Memphis guests before, so this was a sweet reunion.
The unmistakable aroma of Mr. Forest’s award-winning Memphis barbeque was a dead giveaway, but we all played along, ducking out of sight to deliver an unforgettable surprise for Alice.
Shane had mentioned at the start of all this that the only way we could be sure Alice 
was surprised was if we saw tears.
I believe there may have been a few tears shed.
The next morning we made our way to Sun Records, the cradle of Elvis’ musical journey, where I stood on the very spot of his first recording.
Of course the way Elvis moved it’s likely his feet were all over that studio.
The walls reverberate with stories of the Million Dollar Quartet – Johnny Cash,Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the King himself – not to mention legends like BB King and Roy
Orbison who also graced this studio. Perhaps, by the time you make your pilgrimage here, you’ll see me immortalized, singing into the same microphone that Elvis once held.
After day spent soaking up the musical heritage of Memphis, we drove out to Shelby Farms. Here, the sun set on the lake 
as we settled in for a meal at Coastal Fish. Yes, you read that right, a coastal experience in the heart of Tennessee.
Although CB hasbuilt us our own bedroom in his warehouse, Shane had to sleep at the Memphian Hotel. I don’t think he minded (did I mention that they had a rooftop bar overlooking Overton Square?
Given her druthers, TWWNCBUIP (The Woman Who Never Can Be Unimpressed by Presley * new translation of her acronym) would visit Graceland every time we visit Memphis.
We spent an hour in the mansion (I was most fond of the tv room) then walked across the street to see the
collection for cars, stage costumes and even at tribute room to Lisa.
So, if you haven’t visited Memphis lately, I think you’ll find there’s a lot more to discover than the blues on Beale Street.
