Once again we slept well, these budget places are pretty good, though when you first see them the Bate's Motel does come to mind and so far they score highly when it comes to WiFi.
Last night we came across this place when we were looking for a place to eat, somehow the name didn't draw us in......
We are into a routine now but it isn't easy living out of a suitcase, first thing first, need find some where to get that essential, coffee....
We find a little gem of a place
Today is relative short jaunt to Memphis, so decide to go via Hot Springs National park, this should add a few miles to the drive, 290 in all.
Hot Springs was the boyhood home to one William Clinton, should see plenty of dry cleaners here....
Arkansas people are well groomed, as are their dogs, they also have good teeth and very clean cars, well I say that as they seem to be plethora of outlets who provide these services.
We saw at least three car washes along the same street, and these are not just one wash bay, where us good old Brit's would queue up, no these have five or six bays as well as banks of vacuum cleaners. They have a large number of Barbers and Hair designers !!!, and when it comes to dentistry their second to none (can pick an economy pair of dentures for less than $350, bargain). Don't get me wrong I like Arkansas very much, very much like the UK countryside and forests.
We stop for brunch in nice little town
The roads down to Hot Springs would suit the motorcyclist amongst us, excellent sweeping corners, though the lumber trucks could pose a problem. I must say the one thing the US does really well is roads, and at present a lot of investment is being put into it. This is a nation built around the car, they think noting of travelling 80 odd miles to do their daily shopping. We notice a lot of road side advertisement give distances of anything between 50 to 100 miles, a bit much for me just visit a McDonalds...
I must admit, I've used one the ATM drive thru's, and hopefully won't need to use the Pharmacy one's...
The amount of Trucks on the road, must out number the cars 2 to 1, always seem to be over taking one or three, but it a sign that things are not that bad if there is a need for them.
Hot Springs was a little disappointing, one street looked OK, but most of it was a bit down at heel, lots of boarded up shops on the outskirts.
Did I take a wrong turning somewhere !!!
This was one of the shortest drives , we arrive in Memphis by 15:30 and book into our room, very nice on the ninth floor overlooking Beal street. We are also opposite the Gibson factory and the museum of Rock & Soul. After settling in we pop over to the Rock & Soul museum and spend a couple of hours there, it was very good, well worth a visit, I was waiting for Ali this time so it must have been good. It is dark when come out but still very warm, T-shirt weather.
Beal street is where it is going on, though it is a lot shorter than I expected, only about 400 - 500 m in length. I don't know if it is the end of the season but it is very quiet...
We are little peckish, so start to look for somewhere to eat and by accident fall into the Blues City Cafe, just food but live entertainment, and as turned out very good at that.
The group, Gary Hardy (acoustic guitar) gave a history of the early days of the Sun Record company based around the picture in the background "The Million dollar Quartet" Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. We hear a number of the earl tunes and hits by all these artist but the spookiest of things is when he sang Johnny Cash numbers his voice was a dead ringer, it was like hearing Mr. Cash himself. Excellent....
Ali was a bit miffed that wouldn't take her on one of the Cinderella carriages, but I think it was the cocktails talking... It was time for bed.
From our room.
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