Visiting Graceland - Every Elvis Fan Should Experience
As many Elvis fans will soon be traveling to Memphis for Elvis Week, some will be visiting for the first time.
My first visit to Memphis in 1989 was an interesting one. I actually seen Graceland while driving down Elvis Presley Boulevard in a tow truck with my car pulled behind it. That was not how I expected to see the mansion for the first time via a quick drive by.
The next day however I did see Graceland in a more appropriate fashion. The gates, long driveway, the southern mansion on the hill. This was the place that Elvis shared time with his family and friends, I was actually in Elvis home!
As I wound through the many rooms, racquetball court, trophy room it leads you to the meditation garden. All my life Elvis was this entertainer I had listened to almost everyday, and finally reached some form of connection point. I unfortunately never seen Elvis perform, but now I am at the foot of his final resting place reading the words “He was a precious gift from God…”.
The reality of what I had already known sets in as I continue to read the words “He had a God given talent that he shared with the world…”. The emotions were overwhelming, and to be truthful almost indescribable as there were so many. I shared a few silent words with Elvis and then slowly walked back to the front side of the house finishing up the tour.
I knew from that moment on the bus ride back down the driveway that I wanted to come back. Fortunately, I have had many visits back over the following 37 years but the first visit was special.
I wish every Elvis fan would have an opportunity to visit Elvis home and experience it first hand. I know there are challenges for some to do so, but for those that have considered it but have not done, go!
There was only one Elvis, one Graceland and one lifetime to see it.
It doesn’t need to be Elvis Week either, as other times allow for a less high paced visit by just focusing on visiting Elvis home. Yes it has become more expensive but the ‘Elvis Experience’ tour is all that is needed to see Graceland and the exhibits.
In all my years as a fan club president, I have yet to hear an Elvis fan regret going to visit Graceland, only from the ones that haven’t yet.
TCB,
Rob
President
Always Elvis Fan Club