"Poorboys and Pilgrims with Families

And we are going to Graceland." Paul Simon lyrics to "Graceland" Always liked that song don't know why, catchy South African rhythm with eclectic lyrics that mean whatever you think they do. Want more proof? try these words: "And she said losing love, is like a window in your heart, everybody knows you're blown apart, everybody sees the wind blow." Paul Simon is one more talented guy. But back to me. I have been to Graceland three or four times, no I had quite enough the first time but there is always someone with me that just has to see the house that Elvis bought for his Mama. You know me, I'm always accomodating, well almost always. I won't be going this trip and doubt I shall ever see his "Jungle Room" again. But I grew up with the sounds of the boy from Tupelo and he will always be the greatest entertainer of my lifetime. No one else is even close. Today was a day of road work and accidents, thankfully we were't involed in the accidents, other than sitting in traffic for three hours. We ended up having to detour over half of Arkansas trying to rejoin I-40 and find Memphis. The morning did not start well, breakfast was a disaster. I do not know if the owner was from India or Pakistan, but he was not from anywhere hospitality or culinary skills were taught. First they ran out of coffee, scrambled eggs amd sausage with two hours left in the breakfast period. Then they put out what he claimed was sausage gravy and biscuits, the gravy resembled nothing more than khaki colored water and the biscuits were servicable only as hockey pucks, all completely inedible. Beautiful hotel, poor service, and even worse judgement on how to save a few dollars. It was a fairly quick drive from Wichita to Oklahoma and on into Arkansas. But from the get go we encountered delays due to road construction, repeatedly we drove for 25 to 30 miles in one lane of traffic where the orange cones were placed by workers in training for a demolition derby. I do not know how semi-tractor trailer trucks negotiated the slalom courses that was laid out. About 30 miles east of Little Rock we saw a sign indicating an accident ahead. Traffic came to a stand still and after not moving more than 100 feet in an hour and a half, I turned onto the shoulder of the road, backtracked until I found a place to cross over the median, went back to the last exit and began exploring the untamed regions of the land of Razorbacks. There were trucks bumper to bemper for miles passing thru small country towns, the vehicles were all seeking to rejoin the Interstate. We passed two different junctions with I-40 where the police had the on-ramps blocked. Traffic was backed up in both directions for forty miles. Finally we made it to Memphis, but three hours behind our scheduled time. You will recall how excited I was yesterday about going to the Rendezvous for BBQ ribs. To do so, I would have had to go another twenty miles into the city and then back out to the hotel. I just couldn't face more time in the car. So we opted for another of the reknown "Big Three" rib places in Memphis. Neeley's Bar-B-Que. If you watch the Food Channel you know who the Neeleys are, if not suffice it to say they have been in the restaraunt business in Memphis for over 60 years. They are a delightful African-American couple who specialize in real, southern, down home cooking. I stopped in with high expectaions. But, I must have caught them on a bad night. As much as I wanted to like it, I just wasn't impressed. The BBQ sauce was too sweet, Jeannnie described it as "cloying' and I think that is a good description. Anyhow, all in all a tough day, I stopped in ravenous with hunger and ready for some good chow, didn't happen. Maybe next time, but it'll be a long time. Finally the GPS went nuts and dropped us off at the wrong end of a long road to the hotel. Instead of pulling right into the parking lot we had an eight mile drive across town through traffic and red lights. We were on the right road but at the wrong place. Just wasn't our day for driving. However, we have driven about 5,600 miles so far, and we are safe, that is really all that matters. One day left, if the good Lord is willing, we will be in Gaineville sometime tomorrow night. It has been fun, I would not have missed the trip but I am looking forward to home. I have decided to keep writing on the blog, but no more travel news. I think I am going to write about how I see the world. Just my thoughts, and no moderation at all. Fair warning, I am an alien on this planet. But for now how about another Paul Simon song. "You just slip out the back Jack, Make a new plan Stan, you don't need to be coy Roy, Just Get yourself free."