Walking in Memphis

Tuesday was our last day in Memphis, and we were both tired from the Zoo and, at the same time, determined to enjoy it to the fullest. We decide the kids would stay home for the morning and early afternoon, as they were a bit behind on their naps.

Melissa and I, however, got to duck out, sans kids, and listen to Nadia Bolz-Weber speak at Calvary Episcopal's Lenten Speaker Series. We joked that we're such church nerds, for escaping the kids together only to go to church! But the morning was so so pleasant and Nadia's message so compelling. She spoke about how faith was amongst those spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 as not belonging to everyone but intended for the good of the community by those gifted with it. For a number of reasons, this was encouraging!

Back home, the boys frolicked in Melissa & Josh's lovely yard.

Miles planking... Ask Jon, I don't know!

Miles took this picture.

Once we had all eaten and napped (some of us more than others), the caravan descended on Shelby Farms Park Woodland Playground. You. Guys. This playground!!! There are no words.... look at the pictures on the site; I...can't do it justice.

Miles tried at least three kinds of swings.

They are growing vines and trees on this arbor surrounding the walking trails. !!!

Miles went from "I can't do dat" to "I did it! By myself!"

It was a beautiful sight.

All recycled materials were used for the ground. Our kids tested it out: it is difficult to injure oneself falling onto these floors!

Adele LURVES swings.

Miles says this swing is a nest and he and Adele were being birdies.

Thomas and Adele enjoy the simple things in life, like stairs.

 That evening, we were treated by Melissa's parents to dinner at Corky's, a locally beloved barbeque place.

I would say I am still full from that meal (and if I were a normal person, I probably would be!), but many of you are acquainted with my legendary appetite. Still, I have to say... we are never going to have hushpuppies at CookOut again, as they now seem like a cruel joke. I'm sitting here salivating as I remember that food!!

Sadly,like all good things, our vacation had to come to an end. We had so very much fun; I've told Jon if he has an opportunity for a post-doc in Memphis, he should take it! We still didn't get to hit Beale Street, after all..

Remember this song? It was pretty overplayed in the 90s, but it came back to roost in my brain for almost the duration of our trip. We bought it on itunes before we left, for a souvenir. We really did love it there!

But at 10am, we rolled away for our much longer return journey. The kids were good! Better than we could have hoped, really!

We had to drive through ALL of the enormity that is Tennessee. We did a lunch stop in Nashville!

Caught this statue of Billy Graham as we drove by.

This is the Country Music Hall of Fame

I was only able to get a passing picture of Rocketown, of Michael W. Smith fame.

 Dinner was courtesy of Kroger in Knoxville.

On the way out of town, we caught sight of this truck that made us laugh.

 As the sun set, we were coming to the eastern end of TN and the kids settled in pretty admirably.

Our first sight of the Smoky Mountains

Miles was pretty cheerful, most of the way!

At 11pm on Wednesday, we got back into Blacksburg. The kids settled into bed with hardly a murmur. It was snowing.