We made our way to Tom Sawyer Campground on the Mississippi River right across from Memphis. It is one of our favorite parks and is used to floods but this year's was a doozy plus they had a tornado. Only part of the park is open but they are the sites sitting right on the river so we're happy. They have accomplished a lot but there is still much to do.
We have been to Memphis a few times but had never made it to the Pink Palace. Today was the day but imagine our surprise when we learned Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly Wiggly, began building his 36,500 sq. ft. mansion in 1922. A year later he was bankrupt, his unfinished Pink Palace was donated to the city for use as a museum and he never lived in it. So we went in anyway!
There is a Natural History floor, a Cultural History of the Mid South floor, and a Memphis history from Boss Crump to Elvis wing. A special exhibit, on loan from the Chicago Field Museum, is a display of George Washington Carver. A lovely docent met us as we started at the wrong end and took us to the beginning. She went through the whole exhibit with us and was such a delight. She certainly made our day.
We stopped to fill up the truck and were home around 5:00. We had dinner and then got showers so we can take off again in the morning. We have one more night on the road before arriving in Pigeon Forge on Wednesday. We could have done this trip much quicker but we are in no rush. Ted is enjoying the light driving days. It's nice to have a whole afternoon once you arrive.
I've taken some photos but I don't know how much of my 5G will be used on the Mi-Fi downloading photos so I'll wait until I can use Kara's wifi or a park's. But it sure is nice to have internet when I want it!
The many sounds of Memphis shaped my early musical career and continue to be an inspiration to this day. ~ Justin Timberlake
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