Beale Street Blues

Just returned from a wonderful weekend wedding in Memphis, Tennessee. I've never been to Memphis, though I seem to remember we drove through there on our way out to California in 1959. So, no real experience with the city renowned for blues and barbecue. And this occasion gave me the opportunity to do it up right.

I got to stay at The Peabody, the city's grand dame of a hotel. The place is massive, the lobby gorgeous, and the rooftop experience (for the wedding reception, dinner, and dancing) unsurpassed. And then there are the famous Peabody Ducks. What started as a prank in the 1930's is now a tradition that brings in hundreds of people from 11am-5pm daily. If you only have one shot at Memphis, do stay at The Peabody.

Didn't have a bad meal the whole time I was there. (Notice how my travels seem to revolve around food? Yeah, well.) Breakfast at Cockadoo's, lunches at Flying Fish and Blues City Cafe, rehearsal dinner at BB King's Itta Bena, and wedding dinner at The Peabody. Fish basket, BBQ ribs, shrimp and grits, and lots of wine and mojitos. Good eatin'. Missed getting to experience BBQ at Rendezvous, but - like Graceland - that will have to wait for another visit.

Beale Street consists of several blocks of blues and rock clubs, BBQ restaurants, and shops filled with all things Elvis and the blues. We witnessed a zombie parade as we were making our way into BB King's on Friday night, and by the time we got out several hours later, all the non-zombies were out in force (though I bet many of them looked like zombies the next day).

And then there's the mighty river. It's awesomeness comes from knowing how long it is, and that Memphis is just one town along 2,500 or so miles.

The only blues I encountered was the musical kind. I highly recommend the food and hospitality of Memphis.