Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Weekend on Beale

We just got back from a long weekend trip to Memphis, so I've been a slacker at visiting the blogs of all our friends. I promise to remedy that situation over the next few days because I'm nosy and can't wait to hear what's been going on in the blogmosphere while we were gone.

For now, here are a few tidbits about our trip.

First of all, a surprise. Once we reached the bootheel area of Missouri, we saw acres and acres and acres of cotton. I always envisioned cotton on a southern plantation somewhere in Georgia (okay, maybe I read Gone With the Wind a tad too many times), but it seems that good ole' Missouri produces quite a bit. At this point in time the plants are so loaded with ready-to-harvest cotton, that the fields looked as though they'd been dappled by an early snow.
















If you love the blues, you'll love Beale Street. It reminded me of an enormous street party with more bands than you can count playing music while young Memphis boys performed as many consecutive back flips as possible down the center of the street. Onlookers applauded and the boys dripped with sweat as they passed a tip bucket around for more substantial appreciation of their efforts in the hot Tennessee sun.

As in so many "tourist" areas, there were numerous horse drawn carriages available for hire. The horses all appeared healthy and in good condition. Nearly every carriage sported a canine companion for the driver. This one had two! Biggify the picture to see the tiny chihuahua in the driver's lap.
















For the number of people on Beale Street, the crowd was remarkably well behaved. Woe be unto anyone daring otherwise, for the police presence after dark is heavier than what you might see during a big city riot. This provides a certain calming effect on partiers who are given strict guidelines such as:
















No one needed to "clear" us as we were back at the hotel long before 3 a.m.  At least, I think we were...

A bit more next time on our most excellent Memphis trip.

22 comments:

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Sounds like a great trip! I've never been to Memphis, even though I've been living in the South for twenty years. I'll have to add it to my list of "wanna go" places.

Love the chihuahua; he looked comfy and happy to be out and about.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mimi said...

It looks like a great trip!

Can't wait to read more.

Hugs & love,
Mimi

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

It looks like LOTS of fun!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Did you go to the Peabody Hotel to see the Ducks Walk??? That is sooooo coool... well, my mom says it is, She did that a few years ago when she was in Memphis.
Can't wait to see and hear more.

Tammy said...

Cool facts and photos. I didn't know there was cotton in MO, either. Beautiful.

Peggy Frezon said...

Sounds like you had fun! Always good to see new places!

BECKY said...

Sounds wonderful, Pat!! So glad you had a great time.

Doris Sturm said...

That sounds lovely - I enjoy taking a ride in a horse and buggy on a balmy evening. It's a great way to see the town.

Cottonfields are blooming here all over now and it looks indeed like snow - Georgia snow :-)

Anonymous said...

What a fun trip! I would like to ride in a horse and buggy some day :)

Blues is one of my fav kinds of music. I will even sit still to listen to it :)

Glad you went home before the bobbies got ya,
Roo

Marg said...

Those are great pictures. We especially liked the one of the horse drawn carriage with the neat dogs as companions. Looks like you all had a great time.
Have a great day.

Linda O'Connell said...

Pat, Firemen have ther Dalmations; why shouldn't carruage drivers have their chihauhauas? Sounds like you had a fun time.

Linda O'Connell said...

I know how to spell carriage!

Terri Tiffany said...

I have ever gone there but have thought about it. SO nice you got away:)

the booker man said...

miss pat,
that's how the cotton looks around our house, too!
thankies for sharin' about your trip to memphis! i think it's really nifty that the carriage drivers can have doggies with them. two paws up!
can't wait to hear more about your adventure!

*woof*
the booker man

Lynn said...

I've been wanting to take a road trip to Memphis for some time - sounds like fun!

Ryker said...

Never been to Memphis but Beal Street looks like fun.
I would love to run through that cotton field!
I'm still not convinced that Chihuahua's are really dogs.
~Ryker

AngelStar said...

love your new look, canine-ista!

the teacher's pets said...

Hello!
I agree with you about the Google Friend Connect not being able to mind their manners b/c I just tried to become your newest GFC follower but my Stopzilla virus protection program wouldn't allow it for some reason so I am your newest RSS reader follower instead. I've found that GFC has lots of viruses for some reason and I try to avoid them as much as possible.
I do love your writing style and I see that you have been published many times and I aspire to be like you one day, really!
I loved your tour of Memphis! I've never been there but it did remind me of New Orleans, a city I've visited 3x, and I enjoyed the street performers and the music very much!
P.S. I couldn't find your blank GFC picture but it could be my computer's fault. If you would like me to feature you next week on my THANKFUL FUR 3 THURSDAY BLOG HOP, I'd be happy to do so...

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Hi Pat,
I am sorry it has taken a few days to get back to you. I am trying to get some housework done, a little housework done!! I got so hooked on being able to use the computer that I have really let things go to pot!! I have been on the computer way too much in the last year and a half. I love the computer and having new friends so much that nothing else mattered!! Now it is time to work!! I an trying to be on only 3 hours a day!! On dial up you don't get a lot of visits done in that time.
Please don't give up on me please!!!
XXOO, Fern

BECKY said...

Pat, I forgot to say I love your new template/background! Very pretty!

Roscoe said...

Just stopping by on my blog hop! Dat looks like a really fun trip! I will hafa tell mamma I want to go there too!

giant wet kisses,
Roscoe