Graceland

Monday, May 9, 2022

Due to the time zone change, I rose early (5:30 am CDT) and was coffeed, showered, Wordled and Quordled by 6:45. Jane got up around 7:00 and we broke camp, hitched the car, dieseled up, and were on the road by 8:00. The trip went smoothly and we pulled into Site 50 of the Graceland RV Park and Campground around 12:30 pm. The campground is on Elvis Presley Blvd. adjacent to Graceland so we could walk through the campground gate to the Graceland entrance.

Front of Graceland

Elvis bought Graceland in 1957 for $102K from a UT (you tee) urologist in order to provide comfortable accommodations for himself and his parents, Vernon and Gladys. The property was named for the doctor’s Aunt Grace.

In separate buildings we saw the office and racquetball facility and outside, the back yard, horse pastures, and swimming pool. The mansion tour ended in the meditation garden, where Elvis, his parents and beloved grandmother were buried. There was also a memorial to Elvis’ twin brother, Jessie, who was stillborn minutes before Elvis and was buried in Tupelo, MS, in 1958.

A Portion of the Graceland Living Room

The Jungle Room with Shag Carpet on the Floor & Ceiling

The “Media” Room – LPs and a TV for each Network

Queen Jane with the King of Rock & Roll

After the mansion tour, we returned to the visitor center which was a huge facility with multiple buildings to explore and included stores and restaurants. We went through various rooms that displayed Elvis’ cars (including the pink Cadillac), movie paraphernalia, recording studio, musical influences, jumpsuits, guitars, awards including gold records, etc. We were also inundated with photos and videos of the family and Elvis’ music and film career. Outside we were able to walk through Elvis’ two airplanes: a Convair 880 named Lisa Marie after his daughter, and a Lockheed Jetstar named Hound Dog II. The Convair was extravagantly furnished (including gold-plated seat belts) so that the King could fly in style.

Walls of Jump Suits

Walls of Gold Records

Pilot Jane ready for Take-off in the Hound Dog II

After four hours of touring, we tiredly walked back to the RV. Jane is watching tv while I’m blogging. There is no cable at this campground, so we hooked up the Apple TV and with a hot spot and unlimited 5G cell data, we have been able to watch Spectrum cable and our streaming services – real glamping.

The story of Elvis Presley is the rags to riches American story. His influence in rock and roll, blues, country and gospel music has been immense. Beyond the fun and frivolity, Elvis used his fame and wealth for good, providing for his destitute parents and grandmother, contributing to local and national charities, supporting law enforcement, and conducting his military service “straight”. Too bad it all ended with a drug overdose (not mentioned at Graceland). Unfortunately, this is an often replicated part of the American story (especially with musicians) since Elvis left the house.