Horse-head tour july-aug 2011

[CRAZY-HORSE]

well....took me from 1977 to 2011 to actually make it all the way to Graceland...and it was not a dissapointment even with decades of expectations and my own images in my head...
this place was truly a spiritually,uplifting place for me...
the only thing about it that was a bit dissapointing is that it was a lot smaller than i imagined it to be,it was really not much bigger than a decent sized two storey house here in Perth, but i guess back in the day it was a "mansion" amongst the poor surroundings/occupants of downtown Memphis.
as the upper floor was Elvis' own "private domain" when he was living there, it was good to see that the trustees have kept it that way, and access is only allowed to the ground floor and the grounds. all the furniture and decor is as it was when Elvis lived there to keep it authentic...
the cost of tickets to see Graceland were $38 each, but that includes admission to the several Elvis museums directly across Elvis Presley Blvd. some of the other museums really werent worth going in(even for a die hard fan like myself)...but at least it kept us out of the hot Memphis sun for the best part of a day!
we were allowed to take photos in and around the whole property, i took some 50-60 photos for me, they wont mean anything to you guys probably so i have selected several that may give you an idea of what Graceland looks like...
MH had been to Graceland back around 1959, but back then you couldnt go pass the main gates...
interesting to note the Elvis Presley is the biggest economy in Tennessee employing over 4000 people either full,part time or casual!





the Presley lounge room




the Presley dining room




as you wind your way through the property the last place you come to is the gravesite of the Presley family...this was a real emotional place to see,very tranquil,serene and full of sadness....i came pretty close to shedding a tear whilst there and didnt want to leave...and i could feel Elvis' prescence everywhere but none moreso than by his grave.



finally, back around the front of the house waiting for the bus to take us down the main driveway and across the street to the other museums i decided i needed my photo taken on the steps of the house...MH had his pic taken also,im sure he will upload it once he gets round to doing so...
a lifetime of waiting and i finally made it to my Mecca...with my mate Music-Head,thanks Ed!




most of the museums associated with Elvis Presley didnt allow flash photography so the photos we both took seemed to come out pretty dark, so below is a pic of MH and myself outside the Presley car museum