I’ve been thinking a lot lately about touchstone places. You know, the locations that you will go out of your way to make time and space to visit, because they do something to your brain, to your essence. They recharge you. They center you. They fulfill you. So much of my travel is finding newContinue reading “Road Trip Rituals: The Shaw Festival”
Category Archives: Memoires
Jarmusch Junkies (Memphis, TN)
Bizarre things happen late at night. When you’re just walking around aimlessly, not really trying to get anywhere except away from drunken crowds. When you’ve just spent the past three days quoting from your favorite film set in Memphis, Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch, and have forgotten to even look for the sites that wereContinue reading “Jarmusch Junkies (Memphis, TN)”
Earnestine and Hazel’s (Memphis, TN)
One of my unofficial “rules” that I try to follow when preparing for a trip is pick the brains of people whose taste I admire, who have been to said location, and ask them where I should go that maybe wouldn’t show up in your typical Things to Do Travelocity search. When I engaged inContinue reading “Earnestine and Hazel’s (Memphis, TN)”
Trivial Things: Sword Dancing (Kenbu)
Every once in awhile, it’s helpful to look back on times when you were foolish. Out of your element in every way, but going for it anyway, and continuing to go for it, just a little longer than maybe was healthy for you. Which brings me to today’s story. I am often complimented — byContinue reading “Trivial Things: Sword Dancing (Kenbu)”
Braving Beale Street (Memphis, TN)
After driving through several states over the prior few days, we were ready to hunker down in Memphis for a day or two. Our first stop, of course, was Beale Street. I can’t say I recommend going to Beale Street during the 4th of July (Holy Sardine Packing Batman!), but I am glad that IContinue reading “Braving Beale Street (Memphis, TN)”
Erubisu (Graceland – Memphis, TN)
It’s true: I am deeply, utterly conflicted. Alas, that which I completely and utterly love is also that which fills me with irreconcilable anxiety. Yet as much as my insides churn with angst, I can’t stop myself from indulging. It’s very much a part of who I am. The itch I must scratch. The elixirContinue reading “Erubisu (Graceland – Memphis, TN)”
Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama
Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam … And wuv, twoo wuv, will fowow you foweva … “The Princess Bride” – spoken by The impressive Clergyman As a kid, I never questioned whether I would get married. Most of the grown-ups in my life whoContinue reading “Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama”
Small Town Blues (Clarksdale, MS)
In all my travels, I haven’t spent a ton of time investigating small towns. Growing up, my family trips consisted of resorts and cruises, metropolitan areas and islands. We focused on major tourist spots, and amenities that were family-friendly. I should mention, I completely understand this approach, now that I have to juggle my wanderlustContinue reading “Small Town Blues (Clarksdale, MS)”
The Man Who Would Be King (Tupelo, MS)
“I don’t like the looks of it,” said the King: “however, it may kiss my hand, if it likes.” “I’d rather not,” the Cat remarked. Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass We stumbled on this exit somewhat serendipitously. I wasn’t really thinking about it, when I saw a sign on the right:Continue reading “The Man Who Would Be King (Tupelo, MS)”
The City That Never Woke Up (Birmingham, AL)
You win some, you lose some. It’s always a bit of a crap shoot when you do a road trip with very little itinerary, and extremely light research. You hope that the towns you pick will open themselves up to you, and steer you toward more interesting encounters than you ever would have thought ofContinue reading “The City That Never Woke Up (Birmingham, AL)”
Muttering Retreats 