Action-Packed Day

I use this blog to remind myself of things that happen (example: I had totally forgotten how horrendous the end of DST was last year!), so I shall now chronicle what we did this past Sunday.

Uncle Junior Fuzzy flew down from Portland for the weekend for his birthday because he wanted to have some California fun! We did our best to entertain him. Usually on Sundays, we go to church and that's about it for the day. Instead, we decided to see how much we could get the kids to do before they lost it (or at least, that how it seems in hindsight).

The boys woke up earlier than usual due to the time change, so everyone was ready and raring to go before 9AM. First stop was Griffith Park. I did not realize how gigantic that place is! For my Memphis readers, it's nearly the same size as Shelby Farms in terms of acreage. Both parks also have numerous outdoor recreation options and are popular local attractions. That's about where the comparisons end, though. Griffith Park is up on a bunch of hills so you really can't get a sense of where anything is just by looking around. It's surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods, which means it's kind of tricky to get from one part to another.

At any rate, we decided to take in the views of the city from the highest point in the park, Griffith Observatory. Because I don't know how to read signs, I paid an unnecessary $4 for parking (meters weren't in effect yet). Oh well, it was my contribution to the parks budget. We walked around to check out the scenery.

Those big clouds never did rain on us

The observatory building didn't open till 10:00 but by then the kids and their uncle were ready to move on. So, we didn't get to see any of the interesting astronomy stuff inside. Some other day, I guess!

Junior Fuzzy was itching to watch the Rams' football game (he's a big fan), so our next stop had to include TVs tuned to the correct channel, food that all family members would eat, and a place for the kids to run around. We found all these + bonus of beer at Golden Road Brewing. I was impressed that it was such a family-friendly brewery! They have this whole covered patio area with corn hole, ping pong, giant Yahtzee, and probably other games I didn't notice. And, they were playing the Rams game. Everyone had fun! There was a birthday party for a three year old going on at the table next to us. Our kids had fun running around and chasing birds with the birthday party guests. 

At half time, we decided the kids needed a nap, so we headed back to Pasadena. I dropped off DF and JF at the Dog Haus so they could watch the second half of the game. (Now would probably be a good time to mention that we don't have cable, so that's why we were looking for restaurants to watch football.) Conveniently, they were able to walk home afterwards, then I made a quick Trader Joe's run. Well, semi-quick. The parking situation was ridiculous. Maybe that's normal for a Sunday afternoon? 

The boys slept forever, so by the time they woke up, we were ready to get some dinner. JF is a big fan of beans. I decided to introduce him to Salvadorean food at a place recommended to me as "authentic LA," Las Cazuelas. We arrived just before 5 but still had to wait 20 minutes for a table. Sheesh! We entertained the kids by walking around outside and looking in the windows of nearby shops. Dinner itself went OK. I really find it stressful to dine out in a restaurant with my children. This meal was no different. They only ate chips, though Gibson did dip his in beans at least. They wouldn't even taste their bean and cheese pupusa, even though I called it a "bean pizza." (They love pizza.) Instead, they ate peanut butter cracker sandwiches that I'd tossed in the diaper bag in case dinner was a bust. By the end of the evening, they were both crawling on the floor under the table yelling "Doo dah! Doo dah!" (This is their new favorite word. I do not know what it means, only that they think it is hilarious.) 

Let this be the record that we took our kids to do three different things in one day and lived to tell the tale! It helps that we had a 3 adult : 2 kid ratio going on, I'm sure :)

Memphis Music Tour

As is my habit, I shall continue blogging about topics that bring us all together. (AKA I have nothing nice to say about politics these days.) Today, let's take a trip through some of the musical highlights of my fair city!

Before we get to the music, though, let me start with a preamble: when you visit to Memphis (or if you live here), I highly recommend that you make it a priority to see the National Civil Rights Museum. If you have more time after that, then soak up some Memphis music!

Graceland

The home and final resting place of Elvis Presley, Graceland is a major tourist draw for Memphis. In case you don't know, it has a big mansion, airplanes, and other Elvis stuff. I haven't actually been inside/on a tour, but DF has, so I asked him about it. He thinks that if you are an Elvis fan, or are just interested in Elvis, you would probably like it. But he does not recommend paying full price for admission. Try to find a coupon or something because even the cheapest ticket is nearly $40 for an adult! 

On the anniversaries of Elvis' birth and death, there are special events at Graceland that allow some level of free access. Also, you can see the house and planes from the street (at least you could last time I was there - there's construction going on these days that might have changed the scene). They have an extensive gift shop for all your Elvis memorabilia needs. I got a cool "Viva Las Vegas" water bottle that I managed to hold onto for more than a year before I lost it! (that's quite a record for me)

Sun Studio

Of all the Memphis music attractions, I'd say this one was my favorite. Sun Studio considers itself the birthplace of rock and roll. Many famous musicians, like Elvis and Johnny Cash, made records there. 

When you visit, small groups of people go on a guided tour. The guide tells you about all the exhibits of recording equipment and other items. (We did this tour a couple years ago so I've forgotten the details, but I still have a positive emotional memory of the experience.) You also get to actually go into the studio where history was made and stand on the spot with a microphone where so many famous people have stood!

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

This museum is gigantic! If you're really into soul music, you could easily spend 4+ hours there. It's a self-guided tour, after you watch an introductory video. Stax Records was a label started in the early 1960s by a brother-sister team. They bought an old theater and turned it into a recording studio. Although they didn't intentionally set out to break down racial barriers (the owners were white), they wound up recording a lot of Black artists and ushering in the birth of soul music. Many artists who recorded there were Memphis locals.

For a variety of reasons, the studio went out of business and was demolished in the 80s. But it's been rebuilt and is now a museum including such noteworthy items as Isaac Hayes' custom Cadillac :)

The drum set used when recording the instrumental hit, "Green Onions"

If you are in the neighborhood around lunchtime, check out the Four Way. Their turnip greens are delicious!

Rock 'n' Soul Museum

This was my least favorite of the museums - not because there's anything wrong with it, but just because it seems to repeat stuff you see/hear at other museums. So I guess that means if you're visiting Memphis briefly and only have time for one musical stop, this would be good.

I liked that they give you a personal audio device so that you can walk around the exhibits and listen to stories and musical recordings. As the name implies, you learn about the history of rock and soul music - in Memphis and beyond. 

Gibson Tour

Memphis is home to a Gibson guitar factory. I'll just mention this one briefly because it's also downtown, close to Rock 'n' Soul. We took the factory tour awhile back and, while it was interesting, I would only recommend it if you're really into guitars...or hand-crafted manufacturing.

Beale Street

You know the song "Walking in Memphis"? 

Then I'm walking in Memphis 
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Before we moved here, I had no idea what that song even said. Now I know that Beale St. has a long and storied past. I can't really do it justice in this post. It was primarily an African-American part of town during the days of segregation. Now it's an integrated place to party, well-known for its live music and freely flowing alcohol. It's not really my scene these days, but if you're in town, you should at least walk by so you can say you've seen it.