BBQ, Elvis and American Idol!

Friday was a crazy day!!  We drove all the way (about 530 miles) from Oklahoma to Nashville where we set up camp for the night.  On the way, we went through Memphis and had decided months ago (I'll admit that we made the decision one night while watching Man v. Food) that if we were ever in this part of the country, we would go out of our way to try the BBQ.  As luck would have it, we arrived in Memphis right around lunchtime and were immediately directed to "Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ".  Neely's was rated the #1 place in the United States by USA Today for BBQ and our lunch was FANTASTIC!!  The accent of the people who work there was really hard to understand but the food was fantastic. 

Shortly after pulling out of the Neely's parking lot we saw a sign for Graceland and immediately veered off the highway again to get a look!  We pulled into the parking lot to pay the $15 parking fee and the attendant told us it would be $35/per person including kids.  Sorry Elvis, we loved seeing your mansion and your airplanes but the tour will have to wait for another day. 

We continued our trek toward Nashville and loved seeing the mountains of TN.  As it turned out, American Idol is holding tryouts for the 10th season in Nashville on Saturday and there were signs everywhere (much to Michelle and Riley's delight).  We pulled into the Nashville KOA around 6 and although it was pouring rain (boy these people need a break from the water!) we set up camp and went exploring.  This family has a great sense of adventure and we decided to make a BLT picnic under the awning.  Following dinner we brought out the TV and DVD player for 'movie night in the rain'.  We set up a 'movie theater' under the awning and watched the Princess Bride with popcorn in the pouring rain.  It was an awesome night that we'll all remember for a long time.

On Saturday we have decided to drive all the way home to Haymarket which is about 620 miles away.  At this point we're all ready to sleep in our own beds and get a break from the RV.  This has been an unbelievable adventure and I'll have more to say once we're home.  Thanks for reading the blogs, we've received so many great emails with jokes, advice and inspiration!