We found a wonderful campground on the shores of the Mississippi River, just across from Memphis. It’s name is Tom Sawyer’s RV Park and yes, we even found Tom:
This park is so close that it floods whenever the river goes over its banks. And given the high rainfall earlier in the year, this campground wasn’t opened until mid-July. This will impact our stay later on…
Although not on a site right on the river, we could see across a wide open field and watch the tugs and barges travel up and down the river.
A dry site…for now 
Sunrise over the Mississippi
Lola had been experiencing a bit of a fluid leak over the last few weeks and it appeared to be getting worse, spraying fluid all over our tow vehicle (Lolita). We had identified a good diesel repair facility in Memphis so we had planned to take Lola in on Monday morning after our weekend arrival to have it check. Unfortunately, the night before we experienced nearly 4 inches of rain at our campsite. This is a campsite that, until a few months ago, had been covered in river water and…river mud. This meant that we had to break down our campsite on Monday morning in rain and lots of mud!!! And that mud had a certain smell – let’s just call it “river funk”. We dropped off Lola, dropped the dogs at a groomer, and went to get some breakfast (which was really great!). By noon, Lola’s leak was diagnosed (a new part would have to be ordered so we’d have to take her back the following Monday as we left town) so we picked her up and headed back to camp, where Lola sunk into the river mud (but didn’t get stuck) and we spent the rest of the day trying to dry out and clean out the mud from our site.
The next few days were filled with exploring Memphis. Our first stop was Sun Studios, where folks such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jimmy Lee Lewis got their start. Much like our tour in Nashville, we found this an amazing insight into the early music industry. We were able to explore the actual recording studio and hear music and recordings taped in this famous facility.
The actual mic used by Elvis and others
The next day we toured the National Civil Rights Museum which includes the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. We both agreed that this the best and most impactful experience we have had on our journeys so far. The way the slave and African American history was told was amazing and very stirring. There are artifacts from various freedom marches, interactive displays, short films, and so many other ways to learn of the struggles that went on throughout our nation’s history. This tour would help influence other places we would want to explore along the rest of our journey. If you are in or near Memphis, you need to go there!
The Lorraine Motel 
Room 306 – where MLK spent his last night. 
Burned bus from Freedom Ride. 
View of the balcony where MLK was struck down. 
View from the boarding house where the fatal shot was fired.
The next day we headed over to the famous Peabody Hotel to see their ducks. Yes, they have ducks that live at the hotel and every day they ride the elevator down to the lobby and then parade across the lobby to the fountain where they spend the day. We missed the parade but did visit them in the fountain and enjoy a drink in the lobby bar.
Nice place to hang out all day as a duck or as a human
We also visited the famous Beale Street although given it was a weekday afternoon, things were pretty quiet.
Another fun part of traveling the country is catching up with friends we may not have seen for a few years. On a rainy Friday, Barbara Lindke came out to the campground to visit and join us for lunch. We met Barbara on our first trip on Seadream during our Trans Atlantic cruise. We failed to take a pic of us so will have to pull one from the cruise back in 2008….
We also had the opportunity to catch up with JJ Sinclair and her husband Phillip. JJ and Dan worked together for many years at IHG. We had THE BEST BBQ and visit with them on a sunny Saturday in Memphis.
We honestly could have spent a lot more time in Memphis and may have to go back again for another visit. As we headed out of town, we dropped off Lola for her final repairs and spent about an hour at a local dog park where Adele and Brandy got time to explore before we were back on the road for Little Rock!
