Date: August 30, 2005
Route: Memphis
Distance: rest day
Ride Time:
Elevation Climbed:
Weather: 80s with high humidity
Main 10006
Log
Cindy and I were awakened at 4am with a terrible crashing sound. Then again. And again. Welcome to Memphis , Katrina. In the morning light we discovered that part of the wall on the top of the parking structure next door had collapsed into the alley beneath our window. We also had a substantial leak into our room. Melanie’s leak was so bad that she had to change rooms. Because her carpet was sopping wet.
Cindy, Melanie, and I took to the streets to find a bustling city café for breakfast. We were not successful. The downtown area of Memphis is undergoing major renovation and there is destruction and construction at every turn. I’m sure if I were to visit Memphis in 3 or 4 years, I would see a different city. Right now it seems that the city wakes up only after dark. Beale Street looked pretty tame at 8am in the rain! We happened upon Elvis --- not hard to do --- on our search for breakfast. We ended up at a deli with a sign in the window saying “Now Serving Breakfast”. We were the only 3 in the whole place.
Many of us decided to take a city tour on this soggy morning. We got a great overview of the most famous sites: Beale Street , Cotton Row, Victorian Village , St. Jude Hospital and the medical complex, the Welcome Pavilion with statues of BB King and Elvis, the Lorraine Hotel, A. Schwab General Store, and the Peabody where we saw the ducks come down from their penthouse and enter the pond. I don’t know why I get such a kick out of this event, but it just makes me giggle to see crowds of people (me included) going ape over ducks that are doing nothing more than walking and swimming. We had the tour driver drop us off so we could lunch on pulled pork at The Pig on Beale.
By this time the rain had passed and the sun came out. We walked over to Mud Island , a manmade island in the Mississippi with a park, museum, amphitheater, and a unique exhibit of the geological profile of the Mississippi River . We were able to see the overview of where we had cycled and where we were yet to go. I’m pointing to my starting point at Lake Itasca.
I am impressed with how gracious and friendly the people in Memphis have been. I am routinely met on the street with a smile and a greeting. The waiters, clerks, and employees have been considerate and helpful, interested in where I am from and what I are doing in Memphis and if I’m enjoying the city. I very much like it here and wish I could stay longer, especially if I had a room at the Peabody !
