katiesfootprints: Chicago and Memphis

So we arrived in Chicago at 4.55am on Thursday and ventured in to town pretty exhausted to find our hostel. Located it and scoffed down some well needed brekky before heading to the building formerly known as Sears – the Willis Tower. We looked out over the stunning views of the city and read the countless accounts of everything Chicago history themed on the walls and then ventured to Millenium Park. Here we soaked up the sun, sounds and city sights and took pictures with the (jelly)bean before heading to get a taste of local cuisine – deep dished pizza. Yum! A quiet afternoon skulking round the hostel and meeting all the others before a large group of us descended upon town for the evening. Another slow start to the day on Friday but we managed to squeeze in a walk to Navy Pier and then a boat tour taking in the architectural wonders that make Chicago magnificent. Scotty and I squeezed in a 5mile run around the city via the river and waterfront and came to the conclusion that we will probably never run again after leaving the states as we will be disappointed without the grand sights we have become accustomed to running with. That night we mosied on up to Wrigglyville - home of the Cubs - to catch up with our new friend David for a few bevvys, everything closes at 2am over here and it’s way too early! Saturday morning saw an early start to catch up with Kate and do a spot of shopping. We then walked north up the lake front for a couple of hours before arriving at Lincoln Park Zoo and checking out all the animals. Apparently the weather changes very rapidly in Chicago and within the space of about 2 minutes we were sent scrambling for cover from the thunder storm so we decided to set up camp 96 floors up the John Hancock Building to wait for the weather to clear. We soaked up the panoramic city views and got ourselves dry all for the price of a slice of cheesecake. A quick walk down Magnificent Mile (Rodeo Drive on a less grander but larger scale) and around the river back to the hostel to grab our bags to board the overnight train to Memphis.

We arrived in Memphis early yesterday morning where absolutely nothing was open, after sitting at the station waiting for a cab for half an hour one of the staff offered us a ride to our motel which we gladly took. We had our first authentic diner experience where a round of fried chicken benedict with white gravy was ordered before heading up Elvis Presley Boulevard to Graceland. The tour around Elvis’ house was incredible and was humbling to be in such a place still as it was 40years ago. I wanna live there(but just not in Memphis, I have never felt so white before in my life)! We had a quiet evening as it was 37 degrees here and so hard to function in the sweltering heat! Today we headed into town to have a nose at the spot where Martin Luther King Jnr was killed, lunch on the famous Beale Street and up to Sun Studio for a tour through the place where people such as Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins got their big breaks and recorded many hits. Back into town this evening for some more local cuisine, music and beer at a place called Alfred’s on Beale St, up on the patio peering down at all the action. Off to bed now, 5am rise for the train to New Orleans! xx

103 floors up the Willis Tower