Wolf in Memphis 3-16 to 3-22

[GrayWolf]

Hey folks. I've already PM'd with a couple folks but I'm in Memphis for the next week and soliciting things to do. I made it down a day early so I could go to the motorcycle show at the agricenter today. I picked up some great custom ear plugs and now wish I had picked up some sunglasses too.

Anyway to the point. My wife had to come down to Memphis for a conference and since the older kids are off on spring break I figured I'd drive her and the youngest down and spend the week. That means for the next week I'm stuck downtown with a 2 year old. Any family friendly suggestions would be appreciated. Going to pretty much be at loose ends during the day but hope to do the standards after the conference. (visit the zoo, childrens museum, etc.)

Any suggestions welcome, any get togethers welcome as well (no bike though). I might even be convinced to visit a trooper and use their ramps to change the oil in the wifes car. Wish she had told me it was due BEFORE the 500 mile drive.

Anyway, I'm staying at the Doubletree at Union and 3rd downtown. Room 733. PM, respond on this thread, or just call.

-GW

[Jamie Z]

Wolf,

I think the most under-rated attraction in Memphis is the Mud Island River Museum. I think even the kid would like it, especially outside where they have a scale model of the river flowing into a Gulf of Mexico shaped pool.

You can head out on Mud Island and check out all the hotties out for a jog or walking their dogs. With a kid in tow, you'll fit right in, and they'll want to talk to you.

Wish I could help with the oil change.

Cotton Museum on Union and Front is interesting, though I can't recall how many kid-friendly things they have. It's a tiny place with some interactive stuff, so might work out. I'd recommend poking your head in at least.

Ride the trolley. Get on one that says "Riverfront Loop." You can get on and get off at the same place. Good way to kill 45 minutes and see some stuff. I think it costs a dollar or dollar fifty. At lunchtime it's cheaper. Lunch at the Arcade on South Main (south of downtown) is pretty cool. Old place.

Jamie

[GrayWolf]

Good suggestions all. I'll start there.

-GW

[Jamie Z]

So how was it? What'd you do?

Jamie

[GrayWolf]

I'm going to do a write up with some pictures as soon as things settle back down. We had a good time and I'm quite depressed to be back home.

-GW

[GrayWolf]

We left Saturday night around the little ones bed time and I drove straight through. Would have preferred to ride but the Prius did a hell of a job even if the gas economy is not as good on the freeway. We made it to Memphis around 3AM local time with an average of 46.7MPG. It was too early to check into our hotel so we got a room at a fleabag and spent the night.

First thing on Sunday I used my trusty HTC Touch and google maps to find the agricenter and the Memphis motorcycle show. A good time was had by all and I ended up getting a set of custom molded earplugs out of the deal. I also got my wife to sit on a goldwing and my buddies "extra" wing may end up in my garage after all. Sadly the camera was buried in the luggage and I did not take any pictures.

After the show we headed to our home for the next week. My wifes company sprung for a suite right downtown at the Doubletree. It was a hell of a room!

http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day1_room1.jpg

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At this point I must apologize for the picture quality. My good camera did not survive my last trip and these are taken with an old automatic 4MP. We were pretty tired from the trip so we stayed in and ate at the TGI Fridays attached to the hotel. Happily this was the only chain we ate at the entire trip.

More to come,
-GW

[GrayWolf]

The second day dawned and my wife was off to the conference. We spent a nice morning in and then headed to the Childrens Museum of Memphis.

The little one seemed to like the hula hoop even if she couldn't quite manage it.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day2_cmom1.jpg

It is great to see her happy.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day2_cmom2.jpg

Even tired there is no stopping the play.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day2_cmom3.jpg

We ate very well having lunch and dinner at Rum Boogie on Beale St. This is when Coop called and told me where the best BBQ in Memphis was. Then I received a PM with some other recommendations. Then I got more advice here and from people on the street. This began my quest for the best BBQ in memphis. It wasn't much of a quest but I did try a few places which I will tell you about as we go.

We ate dinner at "The Majestic" as recommended by a local. I was actually on my way to Cental BBQ but when asking for directions was told this was better. I think the guy got a cut for getting us in the door. The BBQ was just so-so but my wifes chicken was AMAZING! All in all it was a very good meal but these were not the ribs I was looking for.

Day 3 to follow,
-GW

[GrayWolf]

For our activities today we decided the peabody ducks would be a good time. It was pretty crowded for the walk down the red carpet so we found some good seafood and decided to go back after the crowds had died down.

When we first arrived the ducks were up out of the water..
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody1.jpg

Jordyn didn't seem to mind..
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody2.jpg

The ducks held quite a conversation...
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody3.jpg

Look Dad! Ducks!
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody4.jpg

Once they got mobile she followed them around for a couple of hours!
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody5.jpg

Unlike the other little kids she never once chased the ducks and was content to just watch. The duck "keeper" commented on how well she did and fed them where she could pet them!
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody6.jpg

On the way out she had to ride the horse!
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody7.jpg

I really should have fixed the red eye.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_peabody8.jpg

That night I tried my first BBQ joint. Rendevouz had a very good dry rub and some sauces that really complimented the rub. The beans were also quite good and I really enjoyed it. The ribs were still a bit tough but that was the only thing I could find wrong with them so that is saying something. Good marrow :)

Once I got back to the room I leaned out the picture to get a few shots of "Soul Men" being filmed outside the hotel. You cannot tell in the picture but I got some great video proving that the actor in white is non other then Bernie Mac who plays opposite Samuel L Jackson in the movie.

http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_movie1.jpg

http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day3_movie2.jpg

More to come,
-GW

[GrayWolf]

The fourth day saw my wife out of the conference early so we did the obligatory Graceland trip. I actually enjoyed it more then I thought. I came out of it with a good deal more respect for Elvis and feeling as if I had been sexually assaulted by his Estate. I made the observation later that day that the stars in town (Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, and Justin Timberlake) were very different from stars like Elvis. A star like Elvis was still approachable and a part of the community. Stars today are the new aristocracy and as such beyond the likes of us.

http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_graceland1.jpg

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I think someone is bored. Has the eye roll down pat.
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My favorite part of the tour was the cars.

Hrm, not sure about the purple, great car though.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_cars1.jpg

Great looking cars (this was the first ever delivered) but what weenie engine.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_cars2.jpg

Janice this one is for you.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_cars3.jpg

Oh boy, suicide doors!
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_cars4.jpg

Mmmmm...
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day4_cars5.jpg

Tonight it was time to head back to Rum Boogie for music and BBQ. I had the pulled pork and this was my favorite so far... until day 5.

Day 5 was probably my favorite, stay tuned.
-GW

[GrayWolf]

Our last day in Memphis turned into a full day at the zoo. We had far too much fun. We even skipped the afternoon nap.

http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo1.jpg

They love the tall ones....
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Some amazing looking wildlife around here...
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo5.jpg

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She wanted me BAD! (model not real bride)
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I just love this picture. Its not even that good but with the Panda in the background it made my day.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo14.jpg

This one reminds me of me..
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo15.jpg

Wait no, THIS is me!
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[GrayWolf]

Here is the hardworking female... lazy male is further down.
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo17.jpg

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This is a Red Panda
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo19.jpg

A cute little one
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo20.jpg

A much cuter little one
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What a lazy bum... he has it good.
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Well tonight I found my favorite BBQ at last. I didn't expect it, I just wanted to eat out on Beale street one last time and watch the people. So we went to Alfreds and sat up on the balcony where I could check out the babes. I ordered the ribs and when they arrived the meat fell off the bone. The marrow just slipped right out. The sauce was neither too sweet nor too spicy. If I had found this rib first I would not have eaten anywhere else. I guess its a good thing I didn't find them until the last night on a whim.

The next day we headed back to Indianapolis and saw the temp go from the mid 70's to 30 when we arrived home. It snowed on Sunday and enough was on the lawn this morning that I didn't ride to work. Of course when I got a few blocks from the house there was NO snow at all. That just started the day from hell in the state from hell with the job from hell. I wish I was still in Memphis.

-GW

[Rider_of_the_Strom]

Some amazing looking wildlife around here...
http://www.i-differ.net/~graywolf/pics/memphis/day5_zoo5.jpg

Amazing! I could be entertained for hours by one of those.

Nice report daddy. Looks like you kept the little one occupied pretty well. A week with a 2 yr old would be my own personal hell. (Hey that rhymes!)

Are you coming for a visit to the North Wet this year?