Tupelo,Mississippi - Birthplace of Elvis

Natchez Trace Parkway
Us parked in front of Elvis's Home

Elvis's Home

Us in front of Elvis's other home, Graceland in 2003

Statue of Elvis at Age 13

This morning we left our RV park on the edge of Arkansas and crossed the mighty Mississippi River ('Old Man River') and entered the state of Mississippi. It was a beautiful day, and we saw our first field of harvested summer hay. We also saw lots of squished armadilloes on the road, but I guess you don't want to hear about them! We passed through the city of Greenwood known as the cotton capital of the world and finally made our way to the Natchez Trace Parkway. This drive was recommended to us by friends we met in Mountain View, Cindy & Mike from Louisiana. Although it has a rich history, the Parkway is now a one lane each way, scenic drive that extends for 444 miles (715 km), no tolls, no trucks and speed limited at 50 mph. We only drove along 60 miles of it, but enjoyed the pleasant drive and the link to its history. The Natchez Trace Parkway extends from Natchez, Mississippi to just south of Nashville, Tennessee. The Trace began as a bison route, closely followed by being an Indian trail more than 8,000 years ago. Apart from the road surface and a few rest and history markers, the route of the 'trace' is unspoilt and undeveloped retaining its original state.

Our destination for today was Tupelo, Mississipi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley. We pulled up opposite his original home and had a pleasant time wandering in the grounds of the home, church and museum. We learnt that Elvis was born into a poor family, his father and other family members built his first home. On his 11th birthday his mother took him to the hardware store to buy him his present - he wanted either a gun or a bicycle, but his mother thought either one too dangerous. The store keeper pulled out a $7 guitar and suggested he have that instead, and the rest is history. At age 13, the family moved to Memphis and he later bought Graceland, his home for many years. Murray & I toured the home and grounds (where he is buried) on a previous visit.