American Soul Food

This week found us in beautiful Tennessee. Our first stop was Memphis. The weather continued to be good/bad. Good in that we left the heavy rains behind in the upper Midwest, bad because we are now suffering from a record breaking heat wave. Most days have been over 95 degrees with high humidity. Thank God we have an air conditioner in our fifth-wheel. On hot days like this it tends to run non-stop until late in the evening when it can finally keep up with the outside heat.

Standing Out in the Crowd – We picked an interesting church to visit this weekend, Long View Heights church. We usually try to find a church with a fairly large congregation and this one fit that requirement without a doubt. It was a nice large stone church with a large, black congregation. Not that there is anything wrong with that. We were just a bit surprised to be the only non-black people there. It didn’t bother me as much as it seemed to bother Mellie. After all, I’m use to being the only blond guy around in our Filipino gatherings. But we had a great time. Everyone was so welcoming and the choir was awesome. Man, they could really sing! Can I get an Amen from the congregation on that?

Graceland and the King – It was 30 years ago when Elvis passed away. We missed the big memorial “celebration” (can you call it that?) by one week. Even though he has been gone for a long time, his fans keep coming. They get $25 and up for the tour of his house, a lot more if you want the deluxe tour which includes his two jet airplanes. It was fun just the same to see and even feel the excitement of this place called Graceland.

Neeley’s Barbeque – Now this place is definitely in the running! Dry rubbed ribs with vinegar based sauce on the side, now this is getting good! We went to Neeley’s, one of Memphis’ best barbeque joints, on Saturday evening. The food was great, the service so-so and the décor mediocre but after all that’s why they call it a barbeque joint! We found this Memphis style of barbeque so enticing we ended up going out for barbeque again on Monday and again on Thursday. Three times in a week must mean something. Of the three places we visited though Neeley’s was the best.

Grand Ole Opry – Moving on down the road we found ourselves in Nashville home of the Grand Ole Opry. So we went to the Tuesday night show and had a ball! They really know how to put on a show. I guess they should since they have been doing it for over 80 years. What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live-entertainment phenomenon. There was a sad moment though when the legendary Little Jimmy Dickens announced that he was not feeling too well. Seems he had a sore neck but perhaps it was caused he thought when he was getting ready for the show putting on some toilet water and the lid came down and hit the back of his head! I think the highlight of the evening for me was hearing the band Little Texas sing their hit “Thank God for Texas”. Porter Wagoner and Dale Watson were great too.

The Corvette Mecca – We took a side trip up to Bowling Green Kentucky to visit the National Corvette Museum and tour the Corvette factory. I’ve never owned a corvette although it was high on my dream list when I was a kid. When the factory tour guide asked “so who owns a Corvette?” almost every hand in the group went up. I guess it was good that we discretely parked our Ford truck way in the back of the parking lot. They even have Corvette only parking spots, right next to the handicapped. I could make a remark about that but better not. I don’t want to offend any handicapped folks out there.

Road Revelation #12 – Feed your soul. Man does not live on bread alone. You have to feed not only your stomach but also your soul. That may come from experiencing an energy packed sermon backed up by a first rate choir, seeing a legend’s home like Elvis’ Graceland or participating in an American tradition called the Grand Ole Opry. We went back for seconds and even thirds this week! Can I get another Amen!