"Start both arms to flappin', Start the feet to kickin', That's when you know you're doin' the funky chicken." -Rufus Thomas, "Funky Chicken"

When we first set out on our trip more than a week ago, we weren't sure exactly where our travels would take us. We had a few key landmarks in mind, but we also wanted to see where the road led. It was only fitting that our last stop was in one of our favorite cities-Memphis. 

Because we camped a few nights along the way we were able to splurge a little on a swanky hotel. Then a glitch with the online booking company we used meant that we had to stay at a different and pricier hotel. The online company was willing to pay for the difference between the hotels, so we were happy to  agree to the move. Then, when we were checking in I asked if there were any rooms available with a king bed instead of the two doubles we booked to save money. The woman at the front desk upgraded us to a king suite for free!!!! Needless to say the room was awesome! I enjoyed the jacuzzi bathtub. 

I've learned a lot on this trip, and I guess one of the major things I learned is to ask for what you want. The worst they can say is no, but in most cases--especially when it comes to hospitality--the answer is often yes. 

After getting settled into our room, Kevin and I hit the town for night one in Memphis. Kevin has raved about Gus's World Famous Chicken since he came here for work a few years ago, so it was priority number one. It was within walking distance to our hotel, so we were there in no time. We even saw a rainbow along the way! 

After stuffing ourselves with a ridiculous amount of fried chicken, greens, slaw, and sweet tea, we set out for Beale Street. Blues music, frozen beverages, street performers, and barbecue make this street one of a kind. 

Kevin and I played five gallon drums with a homeless man playing for tips on the corner. I do not have a future in percussion! Then we wandered into the Rum Boogie Cafe and BB Kings for some live music. The energy on Beale Street is hard to describe. 

Day two in Memphis brought us back to Gus's for round number two. We spent the heat of the afternoon watching the movie Ray in our hotel room as we enjoyed the freezing cold air conditioning as the thermometer outside climbed into the upper nineties! Once it started to cool down we ventured out to Beale Street for one more night of fun and refreshments. We danced to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and sipped on a Superman from Wet Willies. 

We stayed out until the bands stopped playing and then headed back to our hotel to rest up for our drive back to Columbus. 

This morning we checked out of our hotel and loaded up the truck one last time. We were headed for home, but we still had a few stops to make. 

Stop one today was the Civil Rights Museum just around the corner from our hotel. Located at the site where MLK Jr was assassinated, the museum is currently being renovated and expanded, but we were able to see many artifacts from the assassination and the Civil Rights movement. It was quite a powerful  museum, and they allow you to get up close and personal with a tragic moment in US History. 

MLK was shot on this balcony. Just outside of his room-306-at 6:01 pm on April 4, 1968:

The view from the balcony where MLK wa shot:

Inside MLK's room:

James Earl Ray shot MLK from the top right window of this building: 

The bullet that was removed from MLK:

The room that James Earl Ray shot from:

After touring the museum we decided to stop one last time at Gus's. We just realized that the only place we ate during our time in Memphis was at that place!!! When we walked in the waitress recognized us and even knew our orders.  I'm sure our cholesterol levels are out of control right now, but we had to get our fill of chicken before we left Memphis because I know nothing else will compare! 

After one last comfort food meal we hit the road for home. Except we had one more stop to make. We decided to drive through Waynesboro, TN. My relatives settled there in the 1800s, and my mom used to spend her summers playing in the creek behind my Great Grandma's house at the corner of Green River Rd and Helton. My great great aunt was married to the judge for the town, and on our way in to Waynesboro we drove on the Russ and Mae Tom (Whitby) Davidson Memorial Bridge named in their honor! I found the Senate Bill that name the bridge after them. You can view it here: (copy and paste the link)

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/101/Bill/SB2914.pdf

We took a few pictures, of course:

We explored an antique store in town and picked up a few things. It was neat to finally visit Waynesboro after hearing my mom talk about her time there as a child! 

After seeing Waynesboro we set out for one last destination...Columbus, Ohio. We discovered that the town of Waynesboro is near Natchez Trace which is where Meriwether Lewis died! It was a coincidence that we started our trip by exploring parts of the Lewis and Clark expedition only to accidentally end it so close to the place where Lewis spent his final hours! It felt like we had come full circle! 

As I write this we are cruising through Kentucky and plan to stop for dinner before heading into Columbus. It has been a fantastic trip!!! We look forward to more like it!!!