Leaving Memphis, Tennessee at 10am and arriving in Amarillo, Texas at midnight meant that we spent the better part of 14 hours in our trusty steed “Dr. Feelgood”. We named our minivan after a blues singer who entertained us for hours at the Blues Hall on Beale St in Memphis. In addition to being an extremely reliable chariot so far, he offers the amenable accessories of satellite radio, a DVD player and an XBOX that we hooked up the Friday night before we departed from DC. Dr Feelgood made what could have been a rough day on the road into “A day in the living room but with a phenomenal view”. We watched Live Free or Die Hard, four episodes of Always Sunny in Philadelphia, listened to the kickass 90’s Alternative Rock station on satellite radio and a few episodes of This American Life (thanks Keith!), and played Halo on XBOX.
Miles Traveled as of Tuesday: 1700
Score:
Brendan: 1
Mark: 1
Matt: 1
Dr Feelgood: 1
Chris: 0
Dan: DNP
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Beale St: Walking in Memphis
(This post is out of chronological order but to give Beale St justice, it required thorough documentation)
The club we enjoyed the most was called Mr Handy's Blues Hall where we sat through a few sets by Dr Feelgood Potts Band. This authentic blues band was fronted by Dr Feelgood Potts and his deep arsenal of harmonicas. They were cheered on by Dr Feelgood’s family in the front seats who shouted requests at him before, after and in the middle of their songs. The blues Doctor would run off of the stage mid song and out of the bar trying to get more people to come in and hear them perform. He had everyone screaming along with him and his sister-in-laws pulled Chris from our table to dance with them. The highlight of the second set they played was when Dr Feelgood Potts got so into the music that he danced his way into a few music cables and knocked a speaker off of a table and onto the floor.
Still in the early stage of their expedition, Captain America and the crew were in need of some inspiration. They are reminded of a children’s song that lists the only requirements for happiness in life as “A song in my heart, food in my belly and love in my family”. Not yet home sick due to a slathering of hugs, kisses and warnings to “Be Careful” from Moms and Dads, our heroes did need take in as much music and food as possible while in Memphis.
If you are anyone with a soul and functioning taste buds, you need look no further than Beale St for your pursuit of happiness. It offers 3 blocks of freedom where you can walk in the middle of the street with a 32 oz beer while window shopping for the next blues club you want to sample.
Meat fell off the bones of slow cooked dry ribs at Blues City Café for dinner and the late night menu featured a 7 piece blues jam band. Every 4 songs a new musician tagged in for someone playing the bass, saxophone, drums or guitar and drastically switched up the style of songs they performed.
BB King’s Blues Club while a tad touristy still served up great music with two blues sets we sat through. The first was a blind harmonica player and drummer duo that played while we shared a sausage and cheese plate. Their late night band was led by a 22 year old guitarist and 14 year old harmonica player.
Brendan adeptly figured out that you could walk through doors that connected all of the clubs on one side of Beale St which helped us circumvent the $3 cover at Rum Boogie Blues. The club has a rich history of memorabilia from the blues, jazz and rock musicians that all played there early in their career. To name a few the list included Elvis, Styxx, Steve Ray Vaugh, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. Because the ‘the next big band’ was on a break between sets while we popped in for dinner, this was one of the few clubs that we didn’t get to hear live music at. However we were treated to an all star Memphis Gator Gumbo with sausage, chicken, alligator, catfish, shrimp and crawdads.
Silk O’Sullivan’s was a dueling piano bar with a huge outdoor patio where goats in a gated area while you enjoy the open air and their specialty drink called “The Diver”. Served in a yellow gallon bucket with 7 straws, this beverage is meant to be shared. The specifics of its contents are a secret but our heroes deduced it is mostly beer with a few shots of rum and cherry juice for color.
If you are anyone with a soul and functioning taste buds, you need look no further than Beale St for your pursuit of happiness. It offers 3 blocks of freedom where you can walk in the middle of the street with a 32 oz beer while window shopping for the next blues club you want to sample.
Meat fell off the bones of slow cooked dry ribs at Blues City Café for dinner and the late night menu featured a 7 piece blues jam band. Every 4 songs a new musician tagged in for someone playing the bass, saxophone, drums or guitar and drastically switched up the style of songs they performed.
BB King’s Blues Club while a tad touristy still served up great music with two blues sets we sat through. The first was a blind harmonica player and drummer duo that played while we shared a sausage and cheese plate. Their late night band was led by a 22 year old guitarist and 14 year old harmonica player.
Brendan adeptly figured out that you could walk through doors that connected all of the clubs on one side of Beale St which helped us circumvent the $3 cover at Rum Boogie Blues. The club has a rich history of memorabilia from the blues, jazz and rock musicians that all played there early in their career. To name a few the list included Elvis, Styxx, Steve Ray Vaugh, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. Because the ‘the next big band’ was on a break between sets while we popped in for dinner, this was one of the few clubs that we didn’t get to hear live music at. However we were treated to an all star Memphis Gator Gumbo with sausage, chicken, alligator, catfish, shrimp and crawdads.
Silk O’Sullivan’s was a dueling piano bar with a huge outdoor patio where goats in a gated area while you enjoy the open air and their specialty drink called “The Diver”. Served in a yellow gallon bucket with 7 straws, this beverage is meant to be shared. The specifics of its contents are a secret but our heroes deduced it is mostly beer with a few shots of rum and cherry juice for color.
The club we enjoyed the most was called Mr Handy's Blues Hall where we sat through a few sets by Dr Feelgood Potts Band. This authentic blues band was fronted by Dr Feelgood Potts and his deep arsenal of harmonicas. They were cheered on by Dr Feelgood’s family in the front seats who shouted requests at him before, after and in the middle of their songs. The blues Doctor would run off of the stage mid song and out of the bar trying to get more people to come in and hear them perform. He had everyone screaming along with him and his sister-in-laws pulled Chris from our table to dance with them. The highlight of the second set they played was when Dr Feelgood Potts got so into the music that he danced his way into a few music cables and knocked a speaker off of a table and onto the floor.
Am I a Real Cowboy?
The morning was kicked off with a Texas sized meal of blueberry pancakes, eggs and crispy bacon at Ye Old Pancake Station.
Then we headed to Boots N’ Jeans in Amarillo, TX to get the necessary disguises to continue heading into the Wild West, we needed to be outfitted with the right gear. . .
Chris settled on a black felt hat. He’ll be your Huckleberry.
Mark picked up a white straw hat with light brown trim that fits right for the summer season.
Matt grabbed a sharp cream palm hat with a customized brown hat belt. The saleswoman was so taken by the way he looked in his hat that she asked for his email address (so Boots N’ Jeans could send him future specials).
Brendan dug deep to his inner explorer and found a dark brown Indiana Jones hat that spoke to his heart.
We also picked up some light cotton cowboy patterned Wrangler shirts with pearl snaps to further fit in as we travel into the frontier.
Next Stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mesa Verde National Park
We also picked up some light cotton cowboy patterned Wrangler shirts with pearl snaps to further fit in as we travel into the frontier.
Next Stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mesa Verde National Park
Culinary Capers: Oklahoma Steaks
Worn from a long day of driving as our heroes continue their westward trek, they arrived in Oklahoma with both their van and stomachs running on fumes. The great state lent one its most famous resources, massive steaks, for $22.95 at Cattleman’s Café in Oklahoma City.
The steaks were butchered on site at the restaurant and fresh as can be from the slaughterhouse. We all ate the filet mignon wrapped in bacon with a side of salad and mashed potatoes smothered in white gravy. The hearty meal was topped off with apple pie a la mode which was decided upon by Matt who was Senior Pantalones for the day.
Curse our satiated guts! We had another 4 hours to drive to push on through to Amarillo, Texas before the day’s travels were finished.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Senior Pantalones #3 - Where Friends Come to Meat
Through his diligent planning efforts Matt has captured the title of Senior Pantalones for Day 3. He complied a list of all of the restaurants featured on Food Network’s Diners Drive Ins and Dives that they could possibly hit our trip so we would know the best local places to eat. The planning efforts paid off when we ate at Tom’s BBQ in Memphis where the food was damn tasty. Later that evening Matt teamed up with Mark to win a “Contest of Strength” over Brendan and Chris.
Matt would like to thank his family, his hunger and Jesus for this great victory.
Score:
Brendan:1
Mark: 1
Matt: 1
Chris: 0
Dan: DNP
Matt would like to thank his family, his hunger and Jesus for this great victory.
Score:
Brendan:1
Mark: 1
Matt: 1
Chris: 0
Dan: DNP
Culinary Capers: Memphis BBQ
After a mid day investigation of Graceland our heroes were attacked by sharp pangs of hunger. They were rescued by a local Shaman Chef who cooked them up a regional meal of Pulled Pork Sandwiches to cure their cravings at a culinary treatment center called Tom’s BBQ. The owner/manager, Adam, prepares his BBQ by letting it slow cook for 3-4 hours over charcoal. The legend of his BBQ powers have become even more widespread after Tom’s BBQ recently appeared on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. 
Both Adam and the rest of the staff were extremely hospitable to the achy-stomached travelers. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches were a one of a kind eating experience. When we unwrapped the sandwiches the soft buns were slobbered almost as much BBQ sauce outside the sandwich as inside. The BBQ prescription was accompanied by fries and complimentary strawberry shortcake. The pork was juicy and cooked to perfection so that it just fell to pieces. The meat was topped with crunchy coleslaw that was a perfect partner to the meat. The BBQ sauce was so sweet and tasty that it should be bottled and sold in shot form to comfort anyone having a bad day.
As a final parting present for our fully recovered travelers, Adam invited them to try the Rib Tips from Tom’s BBQ. These are the very tender ends of the ribs that are cut off of the ribs and seasoned with a dry rub. Tender meat surrounded small bones and formed an interesting eating experience. Most other BBQ places discard the tips but at Tom’s they’ve used all of the rib to warm hearts and stomachs of their patrons.
Tom’s BBQ is a must-visit for all Memphis travelers. Thanks to Adam and the friendly staff our heroes had the necessary nutrition to continue on their journey.
Both Adam and the rest of the staff were extremely hospitable to the achy-stomached travelers. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches were a one of a kind eating experience. When we unwrapped the sandwiches the soft buns were slobbered almost as much BBQ sauce outside the sandwich as inside. The BBQ prescription was accompanied by fries and complimentary strawberry shortcake. The pork was juicy and cooked to perfection so that it just fell to pieces. The meat was topped with crunchy coleslaw that was a perfect partner to the meat. The BBQ sauce was so sweet and tasty that it should be bottled and sold in shot form to comfort anyone having a bad day.
As a final parting present for our fully recovered travelers, Adam invited them to try the Rib Tips from Tom’s BBQ. These are the very tender ends of the ribs that are cut off of the ribs and seasoned with a dry rub. Tender meat surrounded small bones and formed an interesting eating experience. Most other BBQ places discard the tips but at Tom’s they’ve used all of the rib to warm hearts and stomachs of their patrons.
Tom’s BBQ is a must-visit for all Memphis travelers. Thanks to Adam and the friendly staff our heroes had the necessary nutrition to continue on their journey.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Graceland: Elvis Was 'Kind of a Big Deal'
Once there was a guy named Elvis. He made a lot of money by singing and appearing in movies like Forest Gump. Elvis was born in Mississippi, but built a castle called Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Some people think he is still alive and others think that he died as a big fat pill addict in his bathroom. One thing that everyone agrees on is that Graceland was a sweet place to die a big fat pill addict.
It's unclear why Elvis outfitted his house with a room activated audio tour, but we were thankful for it. He had a room with stained glass peacocks, a lounge with 3 TVs and a porcelain monkey, a mirrored staircase, a Cosby sweater upholstered pool room, a trophy house, and an "Elvis Cave" where he stored all of his sequin outfits.
To many who don't know much about Elvis, his most famous work was a futuristic synthesized album titled "Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite". Will Smith claims that this album was the inspiration for the performance he delivered in the 2004 film "I Robot". Plus some judging by his outfits and postures today wonder aloud if he was a drag queen (Mark), but we learned on the tour that he was once a married man and had a following of women that still today get exciting when they hear his voice or see his outfits. 
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