ELVIS LIVES................................................!

Growing up during 1950's, I was never a big fan of Elvis Presley--there were just too many other 'idols' to follow! I was a fan of bobby soxs, poodle skirts, sock hops and of course BOYS! This year celebrating our 50th year wedding anniversary, there was more of an interest in remembering those "good ole" days and for us, it  is Golden!   These remembrance led us to finally stopping in Memphis at Graceland--I can not count the number of times we drove down Elvis Presley Blvd and passed those gates--that's another story................

But, on this trip back into time, hubby surprised me with an overnight stay at Heartbreak Hotel on the end of "Lonely" Street!  Here you definitely step back in time and Elvis is in every room........music, movies and photos

The lobby is quite charming and definitely inviting with of course, Elvis 'stuff' for sale in the gift shop.  The suites are comfortable, although, we joked that the bed was from 1950 too!

The best part of staying at Heartbreak Hotel, you can walk to Graceland Plaza, where we met folks from all over the world.  Hubby went for the VIP tour--perfect!  No waiting in line, your personal shuttle and tour guide and you can enter Graceland as many times as you want throughout your day--just perfect.

Right up to the front door of Graceland to be greeted by information about the buying of this property in 1957, just as Elvis was beginning his path to fame and stardom.

You were encouraged to take all the photos you wanted (without flash).  Here is his living room

One of many framed photos decorates the front area

We are not allowed in Elvis' private rooms upstairs but we can view the downstairs bedroom where his parents resided

We pass through the kitchen area--all kept to 1950's and 60's standards--quite modern for the times

This is not easy to see but it is the "Jungle Room" where Elvis entertained his guests

Nice dining room!

Down the hallway, is the TV/lounge area which Elvis had decorated with lightning bolt for his company TCB (Taking Care of Business)

The Bar off to the side invites Elvis guests to partake and it was kept fully stocked with all types of soft drinks

Even the ceiling was covered with mirrors

How about a pool room with walls covered with yards and yards of fabric??!!

Photos from the Jungle Room with decorative furniture hand picked by Elvis

Back in the Jungle room where even the ceiling was lined with that green pile carpet popular during those years.

As we walk down the pathway to the outbuildings, I took this photo of the back of the house

one of the out buildings contains Vernon (Elvis' father) office, as he managed the property and events around the area for Elvis

I loved this sign on the door!

Full photo of the back of the house

One of the exhibits in the out building contains most of Elvis's gold records and some of his awards--so many gold and platinum records! 

A special Racquetball building was built so Elvis could exercise with this popular sport.  Now, that building has been turned into a shrine and the walls are lined with more awards..................

There are cases that contain the costumes he wore during his performances

What a sight!!

The pool is off to the side of the house and looks very inviting

and of course, here is the resting place for Elvis and his family--it is peaceful garden

 

We took a tour of his private planes that are located near the plaza--quite the ride!  I think everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that Elvis had died--it's a day like many others in our lives--very memorable!!

As we visited with other folks in the area, the one question we asked each other--"did you ever see Elvis in a live performance?"  and then the memories flood back tenfold.

Where were you when you heard that Elvis died?  And did you ever see him in live performance?

Still ELVIS LIVES in our hearts!!

ROAD TRIP CONTINUES!!

I love when you can find something different and exciting on a road trip!  We drove into the little town of Weston, MO--heard a lot about this town from sister-in-law--we walked Main Street, poked into some of the antique shops, had a malt at the soda fountain and had some tastings at McCormick Distilling Company--I have never seen so many flavored vodkas in my life!  But, they also have a nice whiskey too

 

 

And then there was this shop--Polish Pottery Shop--there was no way I could pass this colorful shop by without buying something! 
After an overnight stay in St. Joseph, Missouri to visit with family, we headed north through Iowa.  Can't say I've spent much time in Iowa, but there are some very interesting things in each state, if you just know where to look for them.  Here we come across Amana Colonies-- seven villages off the beaten path of I-80

In Amana proper, we had to stop at Amana Woolen Mill--I'm in heaven anytime I see the word MILL.

Warping threads beamed onto the loom

One of their looms shown with yards of woven cloth

I like to see the tensioner on the right keeping the cloth at the proper width

A warping reel on the right with yards of thread ready to be measured

Whoa!  yards and yards of finished cloth just waiting for the right customer

And any shade of wool on the bobbins ready for the shuttle--fun stop! Since we are in Iowa why not stop at another Presidential Library and Museum?

Herbert Hoover, President during the Great Depression

In this small Iowa town comes this big presidential museum loaded with information about lifestyles in the 1920's.  While we were visiting there was several busloads of school children waiting for their turn to walk through the galleries--wonder what knowledge they took away?

I really liked these photos of Hoover as he grew up

Mrs. Hoover encouraged women to learn the art of lace making

Samples of bobbin lace making and a sample of table cloth that was made by lace makers during 1920's. 

Our trip continued across Iowa into Wisconsin where we spent the night in Madison--this was a diverse from a regular trip--just to say we spent time in Wisconsin--onward we go--a short drive across Illinois (Chicago area), along the lake, into Michigan--missed Detroit so went across the state to cross into Canada at Port Huron.  Our first night in Canada we stayed in London--Okay, we must rest before we hit our next stop..........................

Niagara Falls!!  This is the view from our hotel room of the horseshoe falls and the casino that sits right at the edge of the falls

Off to the north is the other falls of Niagara--what a beautiful sight!  I could sit there all day long just watching the water flow over the falls!

When in the area, we must visit the ice wine makers of Niagara-on-the-Lake--sample, sample, sample!

Niagara at night

Niagara Falls at sunset

Niagara Falls at sunrise---

 

ROAD TRIP!!!!

We are taking a road trip!  I love road trips!  Our schedule has us taking short drives of less than 5 hours each day, allowing us time to stop in quaint and off road locations.

 

 

Traveling across Kansas you would think that there was nothing to see what rolling hills, corn and farm houses, but with an app on our phone, we found some interesting places to stop and view.  Here is the latest easel--and painting.  Too bad it was such a rainy cloudy day--the notes say when the sun shines on the sunflowers, they sparkle!



Down the road or up the road, whichever fits you, we find this lovely Cathedral of the Plains, located in Victoria, Kansas

German immigrants statue on the corner across from the Cathedral--interesting to learn the history of these small towns

We are stopping at Presidential Libraries and Museums along our route--one reason we took this path--here we are in Abilene, Kansas where we visited Eisenhower Presidential Library/Museum



Here is the resting place for Ike and Mamie

Inside Eisenhower's birthplace home, we peek into one of the bedrooms to view two quilts that were made by Eisenhower's mother

In the opposite bedroom, we can see a handwoven blanket woven by Eisenhower's grandfather--

Quite an interesting entrance to the museum, where a special exhibit about WWII was on display

Back on the road, another off road visit--food!!  good cheese made from local cows--we have our nibble bits



Independence, Missouri--Truman Presidential Library/Museum--I remember visiting here when I was younger, but this mural is all I can remember about that visit

Whistle stops train with Bessie, Margret and Harry 



We were so close to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery--we detoured to visit my father's gravesite.  I visited here last in 1974 when we had the burial service, so before we went I did some research online to find the location of his grave.  All I remembered was a tree!



Do you know how many trees there are in the cemetery??  But, we found it with the grave number--S995--way in the back of the last row of the S's