Memphis Day Two

We weren't going to be in Memphis but for two days!  We already knew that we would not be touring Graceland.  I know it would be a great tour and who wouldn't want to see the mansion Elvis Presley lived in?  But being a Sunday the crowds were enormous!!  I am also big on authentic and the way things have built up all around where the mansion probably sits is definitely not authentic any longer.  Oh, the mansion might be but the surroundings sure weren't!!  That will be for another trip at another time!
                   

We decided to visit the Lorraine Motel!  We all know who Martin Luther King Jr is but in case someone has forgotten he headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and through his inspirational speeches and non-violent activism he played a huge role in ending segregation of African American citizens in this country.  He also was instrumental in creating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
                 

Unfortunately his life was cut short on April 4, 1968 by an assassin's bullet.  Martin Luther King Jr. was shot as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

As we stood there looking at the very spot where his life ended you can't help but wonder how much more he could have done had he lived longer??  Evil always has a tendency to target the good!!  It was a sobering moment!!

We had noticed a sign at the entrance to T.O.Fuller State Park that said "to Chucalissa Museum" and we both had been wondering what exactly that was.  So as we made our way back to the campground we decided to pay a visit and see for ourselves.
         

C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa cares for the Mississippian culture and this archaeological site known as Chucalissa.   Chucalissa is a Walls Phase mound and plaza complex that was occupied and abandoned and reoccupied several times from 1000 to 1550 C.E.  Chucalissa means "abandoned house" in Choctaw.  This site features  a Mississippian mound complex which was the place of the chief's temple.  Around the mound were grass huts that studies lead to think 4 adults and several children lived in each hut.  This area is now declared a National Historic Landmark.

Amazing what you can discover by simply driving down a road and getting curious!!  A great lesson in history here!!                

Replica of how things probably looked

Inside the model hut

We came back to the campground and I decided to do a load of laundry while the washer and dryer were not being used.  Getting to use both at one time sure speeds things along.  We went ahead and hooked up the camper so we could get an early start on Monday morning.

Our plans are to head east toward Florence, Alabama and attempt to do some of the things we were hoping to do before Nate decided to visit Alabama!!  So far no rain on our parade!!  We'll see what tomorrow holds!!