Coming into the Memphis area, we had some maintenance to take care of, so we spent the night in the Discount Tire parking lot. Our tire rotation appointment was first thing the next morning. With Big Boy’s foot massage out of the way, we headed to Memphis, and specifically, Mud Island. This is a cool place. It has a scale model of the entire Mississippi River, and YOU CAN WALK THROUGH IT!!!! We rode the monorail over. Mel did very well and even enjoyed looking out the window.

Below left is an aerial of the scale model. The picture on the right shows Memphis, mapped out on the side, in scale with how it actually is along the Mississippi. If you look closely on the right side of the picture, you can see a bridge spanning the river model.

We all, including Melbee, had such a fun time.

The scale model is very detailed, even to the depth of the water in certain locations, as the picture on the left shows. The scale model river empties out into a pool, otherwise know as the Gulf of Mexico.

This shows what states’ rivers contribute to the Mississippi, and the water that comes from the wall behind the boys flows through the channels in front of them to the scale model.

We weren’t the only ones enjoying the water that day.

And the Mississippi River Museum is a neat place, with other replicas and stories to share.

Have oars, will paddle.

I missed the sign that said NO PHOTOS PLEASE. So we have this at least. It’s inside their replica steamboat. It’s very life-like.

After Mud Island, we headed to the Pyramid where the mother of all Bass Pro Shops is located. They even have a $250/night Lodge you can stay at. Melbee was allowed in the store, so we walked around for a little while.
Then it was time to head to the Peabody Hotel for the marching of the ducks. These pampered water foul live in a penthouse atop the Peabody. Every day at 11 am, the ducks leave their penthouse, ride the elevator down to the hotel lobby, and swim in the fountain until 5pm. Then those little duckies get out of the fountain and waddle back to the elevator to go back up to their pad.

The Peabody ducks get the red carpet, every day!

We caught the 5 o’clock march. While there, we stood next to some folks from the UK. One couple was from England, the other from Scotland. Standing nearest to the Scottish couple, we struck up a momentary friendship. He even held Ean’s crutches for us during the duck march. It was like being with family 🙂
After the ducks were done being cute, we said good-bye to our Scottish relatives and headed to our campsite out at the Agricenter International RV Park. This Agricenter Int’l is 4500 acres and a really cool place. If you Google it, you’ll see better for yourself. On our way out to the RV park, we stopped at a fruit stand and picked up these Memphis beauties. The RV park itself is not too bad. The spaces are a little close together, especially considering the whole place is 4500 acres!…but we asked for a spot out a little from the rest of everybody, and it was so nice. Quiet and country, so sleep came easily.
Sabbath morning, we headed to Memphis First SDA Church. We again had a special time worshipping with the people there, and even met a man who intends to visit his great niece out in Santa Rosa, CA, later this summer. Small world!
Sabbath afternoon, we went exploring a little more through those 4500 acres. We found Shelby Park, which has so many things to offer – be sure to Google that, too. We ate lunch by the lake and then took a walk for a short while.

It was a really hot day and we put Ean on a bike and Albert and I took turns pushing him along. Then we drove by the local buffalo range. (be still, Albert’s beating heart) There’s a herd that lives there at the park. Our afternoon ended with a treat for Melbee. No, not the edible kind. The absolutely awesome kind!!!! Please make sure you’re sitting as you read the next sentence. There is a 100 acre off-leash DOG PARK!!!!!!! Yes, your eyeballs DID NOT decieve you. 100 acres for dogs to run and roam around, OFF THEIR LEASH.

California would never do anything like that. What, let your dog run free and be a dog??? Isn’t there a law against that? (Yes, in CA.) Melbee had so much fun running through the water, around trees, back to us, and just being a crazy woman. It was hilarious, and another Sabbath blessing. At the dog park, there’s a spot to rinse off your dog. Such a great idea! Our day ended with much anticipated chili dogs for dinner.

Horses at the Shelby Farms Stables

The home court arena for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies