From a Natural State to Graceland

As a reminder we are in Little Rock, AR. We woke up at 7:30am, showered, dressed, loaded the car and then had a little breakfast at the hotel. After checking out of the hotel we made our way just a few blocks away to find our first letterbox. Thomas parked the car where the clue told us to and right away we noticed that one of the landmarks was missing. We searched the area anyway and came up empty handed. We drove around the entire building looking for the missing landmark thinking we may have misunderstood the clues - we didn't find it so we left and drove to Burns Park. There were clues to a few letterboxes in the park but we wanted to do some sightseeing as well so we gave ourselves until noon in the park and then we had to go do other things. Our first stop was the Scouting Trails trail head. We followed clues and found three boxes - TAG Trip, Have a Nice Day and Go Razorbacks. We really enjoyed the trails and the park is beautiful but we were having trouble with the mosquitoes. We both thought that some OFF! would be nice, but we didn't have any. We headed back to the car and drove to the next location - the covered bridge. Absolutely wonderful - it just fits in with the park perfectly. We got our things and the clues and headed out. The first box we attempted left us confused. We started following the clues but ended up losing our bearings and nothing made sense - so we abandoned those and went in search of our second box which had simple and straight forward clues - we didn't find that one either. Oh well, what's next. After reading the next clue we headed down the trail and noticed the mosquitoes again - but we continued. We found that box and went to sit on some rocks to stamp in. As soon as we stopped moving we were covered in mosquitoes. Thomas would swat at them to keep them off both of us as I stamped into the box. We were moving at record pace here since we didn't want to remain still for too long. After rehiding the Tree Sprite box we headed to the Rock Gnome box. This place wasn't too bad with mosquitoes but it was that pleasant either. So we stamped in quickly and headed back to the parking area. Sitting in the car I read the clues for another box and realized it was just a short walk down a trail near where we were parked. So we braved the little blood suckers and went on the search - and found it. As soon as I sat down to stamp in we were swarmed. We decided to take the box back to the car and stamp in with losing blood. I finished my stamping and I hoofed it back down the trail and rehid it. I got back in the car and we decided we had enough - either we need some spray or something or we should just move on to something else. So at 11:00am we left Burns Park and headed to downtown.

Since we were in the capital city I wanted to see the Capitol Building. We found it easy enough and walked around taking pictures and talked about how grand and noble the building looked. We tried to go in the front doors but they were locked so we just walked around until we noticed a door that someone walked in through. So we headed in that direction and found that the building was open. Once inside I was taken aback. This building is one of the most impressive capitols I have been in. I loved it. I took pictures and we walked around for over an hour. Once we left the Capitol we headed to a restaurant to have some lunch and while eating we decided it was time to head to Memphis. The drive is a little over two hours and I wanted to stop for two letterboxes at rest areas along the way. The drive was pleasant, not too much traffic and beautiful scenery. After only 30 or so miles of driving we stopped at the first rest area and easily found the box - Material Mover by Grumpy Grinch. The box has been in place for a little over three months but I was the first finder. A nice, very small carving of a truck. After rehiding the box we got back on the interstate and headed for the next rest area. Just before Forrest City we arrived at the rest area but we were unable to find the box - I did get some good pictues of a tree covered in mushrooms and another one with a huge growth on the side of it (I will post those pictures in a slide show at the end of the trip).

By the time we reached Memphis it was a little after 4:00pm. We made our way to Mud Island and more specifically Mud Island Park - but it wasn't to be. They don't let anyone in after 4:00pm. I didn't even think about looking at the admission times. So we scrapped that box and headed to the other end of the island. After parking we followed a trail along the Mississippi River for a short distance and found a great stamp - It's a Dog Eat Dog World. I loved the way it was done. Thomas sat on a bench and just relaxed and stared out at Old Man River while I found a nice shady spot under a tree and stamped in. Time was getting away from us so we headed to the next box - again the park was closed. We decided to try a cemetery. We arrived and the gates were open and there were quite a few people around. So we felt we would have time. Memorial Park Cemetery is home to the Crystal Shrine Grotto. I had read about this on Roadside America and was happy to find clues to a box here. The clues were in Spanish in honor of the man that created the Shrine - Dionicio Rodriquez. I translated them and we started our search. Things were going well and we arrived at the place we thought was the hiding spot. Once there things fell apart. The clues didn't actually say where to look - they just kind of lead you to the area. We searched for about 30 minutes but came up empty handed. But the place was wonderful. We walked around, took pictures and relaxed by a fountain - the serenity of the place was overwhelming - I kind of wanted to just stay and hang out. But we needed to move on - we tried for another box and again came up empty handed. We decided to call it a day and wanted to get a little ways out of Memphis headed south on I55 to avoid traffic in the morning (we are headed to Jackson, MS and then New Orleans). So as we merge onto I55 we see the sign for Graceland - we took the detour and drove to Elvis' place. It was late in the day and it was closed but we parked and peeked over the wall and through the gate. Neither of us are big fans - don't get me wrong, I like some of his music but he was a little before our time, so we weren't too disappointed that it was closed. We stopped for a quick dinner and then headed out. Thomas decided to drive until he felt tired and then we would stop. After an hour or so we saw a billboard for a Hampton Inn (our favorite hotel) in Grenada, MS. So that is where we are at the present time. Today was a wonderful day - relaxing and entertaining. We drove another 237 miles today but it was well worth it - we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.