Just a Couple of Pickles: Grandmommy Meets Elvis...sort of...

Our last few months in Memphis is spent with family and friends visiting us and us spending time with Andrew's family. The past couple weekends we had almost my entire family down. My lil brother came down with a friend from college and we enjoyed watching the first couple rounds of the men's NCAA tournament. They also got to do some sight-seeing on their own.

Last weekend, my Grandmommy finally made it down to visit with us and meet Elvis! We told her on Mother's Day last year that our gift to her was a visit to Graceland...something she has yet to check off. She loves her some Elvis and I'm so glad we waited to visit Graceland for my family. That was a treat we've been wanting to do for a while. While in Memphis, we have waited on tours and sight-seeing events for family and friends. In fact, we have more weekends ahead for some fun times with friends and my sibs. Trying to squeeze in as much as we can before we leave.

The tour of Graceland is almost an all day thing (which we weren't exactly prepared for), however, it was worth the $$ in my opinion (even though some say it's not all that). Graceland is the #1 tour spot in the state of TN. So, it is a must when in Memphis. In fact, my dad heard someone singing along to the videos and my mom and I saw people crying!!! I managed to find some coupons online before we headed out and saved $20!! I'm just so glad that my parents were able to bring my Grandmommy down for a unique experience. Now I can say that my all my grandparents came to Memphis :-) Photos below are just a few highlights...

Graceland (click to view webiste)

The tour included 6 different places (including the mansion) and a self-guided tour via electronics.

Waiting to head inside...
(FYI - Elvis purchased this mansion at 22 years old at $100k!!)

It was a beautiful day for the tour!

As you will see...the entire house...is 70's style!

Including the mirrored walls & ceilings in the stairway to the basement...

Probably my favorite room - ha!! Sooooo 70's!!

There were so many things we learned along the way...such as how many awards Elvis received!!!

I never realized how GOOD LOOKING and HANDSOME Elvis was! They were like the Angelina & Brad Pitt of the 70's ;-)

So cute, I just had to get Grandmommy a picture with a nearly, life-size portrait of Elivs.

One of his many glammed outfits! They also had a fashion museum of Elvis' styles.

Elvis along with his parents, brother (which I had no idea he had a twin brother!!), & grandfather were buried on site at the mansion.

Elvis' automobile museum...probably Tilden's favorite ;-) This was the Mercedes Elvis purchased for his wife, Priscilla.

Tilden's John Deere :)

This little restaurant was so cool, we had Grandmommy pick out her favorite Elvis songs and we tested out the record player...you put in a quarter, choose your song, then it pulls the record to play in the record player across the restaurant!

The most interesting part about Elvis' private planes...is that they had a parade to bring it to Graceland from the airport. People had to ride on the top of the plane to hold up the traffic lights! AMAZING!! Looked like LOTS of work.

Gibson Factory (click to view website)

Next time, I will book this tour in advanced. Took Clayton to tour the Gibson Factory, however, they were booked for all their tours in the morning!! Needless to say, he plans on coming back one more time before we leave. Pictures taken in the gift shop and edited by Andrew and I...