Goal: Riverboat Tour of Memphis
We spent the earlier part of the morning doing trip planning and made ourselves a gourmet brunch which included some of Aliza and Nick’s Duck’s eggs, and a combination of leftovers. Brunch was accompanied with Mimosas.
We then drove up to the Beale Street parking lot, and walked the 5 blocks down to the river where the Mississippi River boat was docked. We chose the Sightseeing Cruise on the Memphis Riverboats. The 90 minute cruise was nice. The day was warm and beautiful.
The tour took us upriver towards the I40 bridge. This bridge had been closed because a barge crashed into one of the pillions. As we approached the I40 bridge, Rob was heavily “Chill-axing”.
As we sailed north past the city, we first passed the southern area of the city.
We continued up river.
We then turned around and sailed down river, passing these lovely homes on the bluff.
We turned back around after passing under the triple bridges. There are 2 railroad bridges and the I55 bridge.
Now totally mellowed by the hour and a half in the warm sun, we walked back up the embankment to Beale Street. Once back at Beale, we again are faced with choices, choices, choices.
Since it was still early, and the day still amazingly warm and wonderful, we decide that the roof top patio at the Tin Roof honky tonk is just what we need. They don’t have live music yet, but they are playing classic blues hits.
After reading the menu we elect an appetizer of Kielbasa, cheese, pepperichini, and pickles. As you can see from the above photo, the kielbasa was delightfully roasted.
As the sun went down, the air crisped, and we cooled. We then returned to our promenade routine and walked the length of Beale Street several times. What is happening here? How is the music there?
After taking our time, we decide that tonight we will dine at B.B. Kings, and catch one of the acts there.
There we decide that to prolong our stay, we will have a second appetizer, besides it looks so appealing. The Garlic Shrimp. The shrimp arrive in a small sizzling cast iron pan. The butter, garlic, and Old Bay Seasoning wafts through the air. Served with good bread, the perfectly cooked shrimp is delightful.
While we are dining an act has their set. It is very good music, and well performed by the 5-piece band. After their set, we place our dinner orders.
Rob selected the barbecue ribs with coleslaw and fries. Deryl can’t resist trying the shrimp and grits. Our order is ready just before the next act is ready to perform. Rob’s ribs are cooked wonderfully. The ribs are at the fall off the bone stage, but are moist, meaty, obviously rubbed and then mopped. The fries were potatoes earlier today, nothing that came from a freezer. The coleslaw would make any grandmother proud. Deryl’s shrimp and grits… the shrimp are tangy with their light buttery Old Bay seasoning sauce. The grits cooked to a creamy cheesy state with a hint of fresh garlic. The portion sized were quite generous, so as usual we ended up with leftovers. Yea!
We choose to not stay for more drinks after dinner, which results in our clearing our tab at the end of this 4 piece band’s set. We walk up Beale to Clyde. We climb into our trusty steed, and drive back down to The Roost and end this day.
GREAT Music!