CHICAGO 2

Been doing the usual tourist stuff - on the river cruise, on the hop on hop off. Been to the seaside, popcorn on the pier. Yesterday was fantastic weather. Chicago is a really great place, better than NY. The skyscrapers are very stylish and laid out not to be oppressive, you don't get the feeling of being hemmed in at the bottom of a dark canyon like NY.  The parks, open spaces and walking areas are super. Then you have the added bonus of the beaches on the lake right in town. Plenty of good restaurants & bars. Probably one of my favourite big cities from the many I have visited. Today was a bad day, weather freezing & Chris fell flat on her face, hurting her knees & hands. She & Paul returned to the hotel for R&R while we went to the museum. Fabulous skyline.

PICCIES FROM YESTERDAY

CHICAGO 1

Chitown, enjoying our final days here before we fly home. We've been to the home of the future president, taken an architectural river cruise, foods good, except for the deep pan. Parks and walks around the rivers & lake are very nice. Can you find us in the bean? Weather is variable arrived 5C, today is 27C, Wednesday back to 5

MEMPHIS AMTRAK

Sitting on City of New Orleans (hear Arlo) trying to rypr this blog. It's very bimpy. Broke down just outside Memphis, running 1hr late. Just stopped at a town called Champaign. Guard called out "anyone for Champaign" Mum nearly trampled him. Went to Stax studio, not as nice as Sun, but great music history there. Do you like Isaac Hayes' caddie? Waited 45 mins for cab. Memphis heaving today, end of year frat balls, weddings, Spurs v Grizzlies NBA playoff & music festival starting. Big clothing change, Amtrak has taken us from 27C to 6C in one journey. Nice & sunny tho.

MEMPHIS 3

Elvis had left the building & was in the garden. His Nan outlived the whole family. He had a great range of tacky. The Stutz was nice. 21 UK number 1s. I've sent Mum & Chris's Graceland photo to Cliff. He's upset. Went to see where MLK was shot. Complicated story, maybe FBI had hand in his death. Catching train to Chicago tonight. Freezing up there. BTW C & P insisted we went to Coyote Ugly bar with loud rock. What's that all about in the land of the delta blues? Wedding dress ideas?

MEMPHIS 2

Doing the southern states thing; Food Tennesee dry rub ribs & pitchers of ghost local beer. The bbq pit restaurant was down a dodgy back alley you wouldn't normally visit but really great. Advice - don't drink anything that is named after a natural disaster or a weapon. Sport - took in college baseball, Ole Miss v Memphis;  Music - went to Sun Studios. The stories behind Sam Phillips quitting his job to signing Elvis, selling him for £35k and founding Holiday Inn is quite something. The live music in Beale St is not to be missed.
What do you make of the duck walk?

MEMPHIS

Hunting & Fishing is big here in Tennessee.