Prior to leaving Memphis we did the “Tucker Tour” of
Graceland. The “Tucker Tour” means we’re
either too cheap or too smart to pay anywhere between $42 and $80 (depending on
what tour you choose) to go inside. I
prefer “too smart” but you can decide for yourself. Anyway, between 7:30 and 8:30 every morning
you can do for FREE what is called the walk up tour to the meditation garden
which is where Elvis, his parents and his twin brother who was stillborn are
buried. You can park right in front of
the mansion which is quite lovely although it’s now surrounded by tacky
souvenir stores, along with a nearby KFC and Taco Bell which I’m sure Elvis
would have appreciated in his later years.
You walk right through the main gate and get a great view of the outside
of the house. You can also walk through the small but nice meditation garden
where the graves are located……..and the price is right! Invest the money you save on admission wisely
and you can retire a day or two early!
Arriving at Vogel State Park in Blairsville, Georgia brought
memories of my childhood rushing back.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Vogel was pretty much where the
world ended when it came to summer vacations.
My dad worked with the railroad so there were the occasional train trips
to New York and Washington D.C. but then he discovered Vogel. Once discovered every summer meant loading up
the camper, Buffy our short/fat dog and heading off to this little slice of
paradise. Driving in yesterday I was
amazed how little it’s changed over the last 45 years or so and just how much
it connects me to my childhood.
Back in the day we would arrive every summer thrilled to
have made it without suffering serious bodily harm on the drive around Atlanta.
You see when you’re from Mulberry, Florida the Atlanta traffic was terrifying
even back in the 70”s. Once the camper
was backed into the site and successfully parked on a semi-flat surface, which
would often be a good half day the fun would begin. For the next two weeks it would be hanging
out with old friends, meeting new ones and generally just having a grand old
time. Life was simpler then and I think
we were better for it.
Although my parents are long gone, coming back here
establishes a feeling of connection with them unlike I get anywhere else. New York, Washington D.C, never missing one
of my baseball games growing up, somehow always getting what I wanted for
Christmas even if every year I’d go to unwrap one present under the tree that
was wrapped in Christmas paper only to be told by mom “that’s your birthday
present” (December 31 if you didn’t know), debt free college were just a few of
the gifts from Mom and Dad. Most
importantly they gave me values, direction, support, encouragement and Vogel
State Park……… thanks Mom and Dad!
Stay tuned, the next time we explore the greatness of boiled
peanuts!
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| Graceland |
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| Elvis has left the building! |
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| Vogel from our cabin |
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| Pretty Good Stuff! |
