And on to Memphis, Tennessee

Bound for Memphis and Graceland (because, after all, why not?), we discovered that US 72 took us right through Tuscumbia, Alabama. Now there's a familar name for anyone who has read, watched, or taught "The Miracle Worker" lo these many years. So we took a slight detour to visit "Ivy Green", the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller, in Tuscumbia. It is a quaint farmhouse that is a complete surprise to anyone expecting the midwestern look that it has in the movies. And the little cottage that Annie Sullivan takes Helen to, so she can teach her away from Mom and Dad's influence? It's right next door. In fact, it's the litte bridal cottage built for Kate (the second Mrs. Keller) and the actual birthplace of Helen. It's a few steps away from the main house, not miles away on the plantation as it is usually seen. But the pump?
The pump is there - now enshrined in a gazebo like covering - but right there in the yard. The pump where Helen made the discovery that W-A-T-E-R meant that liquid stuff pouring over her hands. And from that connection, she went on to graduate cum laude from college, hobnob with presidents and world leaders, and write several books.
Back to Route 72, we soon found ourselves in Mississippi where we stopped for lunch in Corinth. We thought about exploring a few Civil War battlefields, but decided to hold those off for another (perhaps cooler) time. And then a short drive back into Tennessee and Memphis.
Our first stop was to Beale Street - center of town and the birthplace of the blues and rock'n'roll. We celebrated its heritage by grabbing dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and wandering the street, listening to bar musicians playing the blues and r'n'b live. W.C. Handy is given credit for the birth of the blues when he wrote "Memphis City Blues" right here on this street. Today, there's a statue in his honor, horn and all. Beale Street was also the home of Sun Records, Sam Phillips' recording studio that was visited by a young Elvis Presley in 1955.
Two years later, after "Hound Dog" and numerous others, he bought Graceland - a beautiful stone facade mansion that served as his home until his death 20 years later. Now it is Presley Enterprises: tours of the mansion (headphones and players in hand) through the "jungle room" living room, his indoor racquet ball court (and lounge area where he died), and the gravesites for him and his parents and paternal grandmother. In addition, across the street (Elvis Presley Boulevard), separate museums celebrate his films, his cars, his two airplanes, his life in the Army 1958- 60, his outfits (those jewel-bedecked jump suits that all the imitators have) and gift shops/cafes galore. We bought VIP passes - why not? - and took the full 4 hours to really get to know and/or remember Elvis.
But the heat - it's closing in on 100 again - made us get back to the AC in our motel - only 5 minutes away. Luckily. Because while we sat in the room and wrote postcards, a major thunderstorm hit and continued pouring for over an hour. But this time we had our car windows closed!
We ordered pizza delivered to our room and just relaxed. Tomorrow we head for Arkansas - the actual goal of this trip after Atlanta, remember? But who knows? There may be a side trip or two in store.