Today we went to Memphis, TN and made a stop just off I-40 at the Tennessee Visitor Center. Being about an hour away from Memphis my whole life, I know about Elvis, B.B King, Beale Street and other things that make Memphis the home of Rock and Roll. I was able to see the infamous river front and Mud Island on a beautiful day in wonderful weather.
As we were walking along the river front, the bridge that links Arkansas to Tennessee above the Mississippi River was shimmering in the sunlight making a perfect backdrop for a relaxing Saturday morning stroll.
We started walking along the Mississippi Riverfront where the docks for the river cruises are and the Cobblestone Landing that I had never seen before. Many other tourists asked us to take their pictures with either the boat in the background or with the Elvis statue in the Welcome Center.
Of course this is something that we don’t get asked everyday, but to help make memories for someone in a place that is so close to where I call home is a really special feeling!
We started to head back to our car bypassing trolleys, families and normal commuters. I stopped and looked around smiling with the thought of how many times I have been here to see the Redbirds, Grizzlies or to walk down Beale Street and never once did I think of what an experience this town could be for someone else or even myself.
Treasure your hometowns history because they make memories for years to come. I know that we all sometimes take our homeland and local area for granted but to experience something like we did today certainly helps make me cherish where I am from!
Have you ever had a similar experience with your hometown?
Love this post because it’s so true! We so often take for granted what is familiar, what we already have, and overlook that what we just accept as unremarkable, to a lot of other people, it’s incredibly special and exciting. I lived in Nashville, TN for 7 years and mostly spent my time trying to be anywhere else, so I could never understand why people would ever choose to vacation there. Same for Toronto, Canada where I’m originally from—to me its a great city to live in, but why plan a holiday there? But of course, people travel from all of the world to visit these places and for them it’s exciting. It’s possible to have an adventure anywhere and any destination can be interesting, if only we approach with an open mind and a willingness to be surprised!
Thanks for the comments Steph!! You are so right about how we always take things for granted generally until we no longer have them. Chris always tells me that whenever he lived in England he probably took it for granted and never really appreciated the beauty within the country but now that he no longer lives there, he appreciates much more whenever we go over there and visit for a couple of weeks each year.
We loved Toronto by the way when we visited there in August this year. We only spent a day there but went up the CN Tower which was really cool and wandered around the downtown area.
Great article. Love your writing style heather. Really smooth reading
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! We have both really enjoyed looking over your new website. Hope you and Jo are doing well.
I grew up in a small town in the mountains of Virginia and couldn’t wait to move away and see the world! My parents have also since moved away so I don’t return to my hometown very often. But when I do, I’m always struck by the beauty of the mountains and the slow pace of life. While it’s not for me, I can now appreciate why others would want to live there. Great post!