While driving in to Memphis the other week, the RV windshield was hit by a rock directly in front of the driver side. It was a dime size chip that within minutes led to a long crack. For a windshield as large as ours, we can’t just call Safelite. We needed to start the process of replacement right away. As we were only in Memphis for a week, we had the replacement windshield delivered to a dealer in Knoxville where we were headed to make the repair. We had an appointment on Wednesday March 21 and were supposed to bring the RV in before 8AM. However, the day before our appointment it started to snow and the forecast was that it would continue throughout the next day. We decided it best to reschedule. There were no openings the rest of the week so we extended our stay an additional week and were now scheduled for Tuesday March 27. This time we delivered the RV early in the morning so they could replace the windshield. I was advised upon dropping it off that the RV would need to stay overnight in order for the epoxy to set. Not to worry though as the dealer had an area with hookups and we would be able to stay in the RV and leave the next morning. No problem.

On a side story, Buddy had developed a limp that didn’t seem to be getting better. We made arrangements to drop him off at the vet for x-rays on the same day the RV was being repaired. We dropped him off and decided to take a drive to the Great Smoky Mountains (blog to follow). We had been there earlier along with the tourist trap town known as Pigeon Forge. Here are some of the pictures:

The story continues…

While we were out, the RV dealer called and told us that they did not have our particular type of windshield trim in stock. They could replace the windshield but would need to order the trim which would take another couple of days. We would need to come back in a few days for that and they would let me know when once they had an expected delivery date.

We picked up Buddy from the vet with a preliminary diagnosis of the early stages of hip dysplasia. Results from the x-rays would take a couple of days. It’s basically going to be something he’ll have to deal with the rest of his life. We’ll have to monitor his activity levels and see how much play affects him going forward.

We headed to the RV dealership so that we could settle in for the night. The RV had not been moved out of the garage yet. We were advised that it should be out by 4:30 as the service department closed at 5pm. Decided to run out and grab a quick bite. Received a phone call from the service lead at 4:30 asking if we had somewhere else to spend the night. What?!?!!? The epoxy hadn’t dried and they were not comfortable moving the RV as there was a risk of the windshield separating from the frame. If we wanted them to move it and something did happen, we were then responsible to pay for the additional repairs. But this is our home and all of our stuff is there. Oh, we’ll let you have access to the RV in order to get what you need (as long as you are done before 5). We now had to scramble and find a reasonably priced pet friendly hotel using our iPhones. Grabbed some toiletries from the RV and began the search. First place we found nearby was a total dump. The search continued until finding a Red Roof Inn that sympathized with our dilemma. They gave us the AAA discount and accepted that Buddy was 60lbs or less. Nice people but it wasn’t the home we are accustomed to.

I called the RV dealer the next day and was advised that the windshield had set and the RV was being pulled out to the lot. They would lock the keys inside (we have a number pad entry) so we could just swing by and pick it up. The trim would be in Friday. We were scheduled to leave our RV park on Sunday so we made arrangements to arrive at the dealer on Sunday to stay the night on one of their free overnight RV lots and have the trim installed first thing Monday morning. When I arrived to pick up the RV the keys were not inside and I had to go to the reception area and have someone track them down. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the trim on Monday is installed with no problems. Catharine is not optimistic.

My apologies for the rambling vent and we hope to be back in stride soon.

If you have any experience with dogs with hip dysplasia and can provide any advice, please comment below.

Graceland is 17,552 square feet and has a total of 23 rooms, including eight bedrooms and bathrooms on 13.8 acres in Memphis that was owned by Elvis Presley. It was opened to the public on June 7, 1982 and declared a National Historic Landmark on March 27, 2006. Graceland is the second most-visited house in America with over 650,000 visitors a year; second only to the White House.

Graceland was built in 1939 and originally owned by Thomas and Ruth Moore. Presley purchased Graceland on March 19, 1957 for $102,500.

To the right of the Entrance Hall is the Living Room, with the adjoining Music Room behind a doorway framed by vivid large peacocks set in stained glass. The Music Room has a white baby grand piano and a 1950s style TV. The Living Room contains a 15-foot-long white sofa against the wall overlooking the front yard.

In the mid-1960s, Presley enlarged the house to create a den known as Jungle Room which features an indoor waterfall of cut field stone on the north wall and green shag carpeting.

The TV room in the basement is where Elvis often watched three television sets at once, and was within close reach of a wet bar. Opposite of the TV room is the billiard room which has its walls and ceiling covered with 350–400 yards of pleated cotton fabric.

A wrought-iron front gate, designed and built by Abe Sauer, that was shaped like a book of sheet music, with green colored musical notes and a silhouette of Elvis.

Presley also installed a kidney shaped swimming pool and a racquetball court. There is also a functional stable of horses. Elvis also added a Meditation Garden, where he was eventually laid to rest. He was originally buried at a local cemetery, but was moved for security reasons.

THE PEABODY DUCKS

The Peabody is probably best known for the “March of the Ducks,” a custom dating back to the 1930s. Every day at 11:00 a.m., the Peabody Ducks are escorted from their penthouse home, on the Plantation Roof, to the lobby via elevator. The ducks proceed across a red carpet to the hotel fountain, made of a solid block of Italian travertine marble. The ducks are then ceremoniously led back to their penthouse at 5:00 p.m.

Duck is not served anywhere at The Peabody and has not been seen on the hotel’s menus since its 1981 reopening. Each team of Peabody Ducks lives at the hotel for only three months before retiring from their duty to a farm where they are free to live as wild ducks.

It should be noted that although it is called the “March of the Ducks,” it is more like a duck sprint. Most of the pictures that we got are blurry. You need to arrive at least an hour early to get a good seat.

The Duckmaster, is responsible for the training, protection, and care of the ducks. He is the only Duckmaster in the world.

BEALE STREET

Iconic Beale Street is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy some Blues.

CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

This was a very powerful museum that takes you through the Civil Rights Movement beginning with slavery and continues through the Civil War, Jim Crowe, to the present. It is housed at the former Lorraine Motel where MLK was assassinated.

MEMPHIS SCENIC DRIVE

Sun Studio has been called the “Birthplace of Rock N’ Roll” and is home to the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

Thank you to Scott’s Aunt Terry and Pat for their hospitality while we visited Memphis.