Because Jerry (ULTRAFXR) doesn't want to toot his own horn, I will. [smiley=multi.gif] Great job Jerry, I am going to call you next time I need a tour guide. After reading this, I think you need to replace that little travel gnome on Travelocity. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
As you know this past weekend I hosted a group of fellow H.O.G. members from the Kokomo, Indiana, chapter. I met the director Al Lipusch and his wife Denise at P.O.T. in Hershey, PA, this past April. They told me their chapter was planning an overnighter to Memphis in the fall and I volunteered to show them around. I met the group of twelve last Friday evening at Second and Beale where their hotel shuttle let them off and took them to dinner at the Rendezvous. As we passed the Peabody Hotel several of the ladies asked if this is where the ducks were and I of course told them the history and the story of the famous ducks.
We had a wonderful time at dinner - a great waiter - and they got the full Memphis experience of barbeque ribs with all the trimmings. Then, on the way back to Beale Street we walked through the Peabody lobby and I took them to the rooftop to see the ducks home and the famous skyway and ballroom. Everyone got a real kick out of this. Then on to Beale Street where we strolled around and several folks bought wristbands and went to the clubs to listen to authentic blues music while Denise got her potrait made by one of the street vendors. Man was that guy talented!
Saturday morning I met them at Bumpus. One member had ridden over a small curb and damaged the spring on his sidestand which our service department quickly replaced. Thanks Gary and everyone in the service department for getting us on our way so promptly. Then on to our adventure along with fellow Memphis H.O.G. members Larry Allen and Burt Powell joining us. I led our posse of ten bikes down old Highway 61 to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where we stopped for lunch at Ground Zero Blues Club. To our great fortune Morgan Freeman himself was there having lunch. What a treat for this group and I must say they were duly impressed! After lunch some went to the Delta Blues Museum for a quick tour and then on the famous Crossroads - you know where Robert Johnson met the Devil and made a pact with him in order to learn how to play the blues guitar.
After re-fueling we took a short two mile jaunt down Highway 49 to the Hopson Plantation, home of the famous Shack-Up Inn. There had been a recent cancellation and one shack was unoccupied and we were able to tour it. What an experience for these wonderful friends form up north, many of whom had never seen cotton before!
Of course as we left Clarksdale heading back to Memphis on new Highway 61 the heavens opened up and we had a heavy downpour almost all the way to Tunica. But the rain certainly did not deter our spirits. I led the group into Riverside Park where we had a rest stop and said our goodbyes. They were headed on to Sikeston for the night and of course dinner at Lambert's.
When they got home Sunday evening Al phoned to thank me, Larry and Bert again for hosting them and went on and on about what a wonderful time they had and the memories they made.
I'm not saying this at all to "toot my horn" but just to let you know what we have right here in our own backyard that we (myself included) often take for granted. I wish more of you could have joined us but maybe we will have such an opportunity to showcase our fair city and surrounding area again before too long.
Best Regards,
Jerry
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Topic: Memphis Trip (Read 1556 times)