Road Trip: Day 4

The Texas/Arkansas state line is an interesting one.  There is a post office that sits in both of the states.  Vicky gets dirty looks when she sits in a bush while we take her photo.  People just don’t get her…their loss. 

We make it to Memphis in good time and grab a bite to eat at a famous BBQ dive.  I order a BBQ chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw.  It is like heaven in my mouth.  I try the girls’ sweet tea and cringe.  Fucking disgusting.  With our bellies full, we set forth to explore more of Memphis.

As we pull into the National Civil Rights Museum lot, I see The Lorraine Motel.  The sign is tall and hovers over me like its alive.  We see a film, showing clips of Civil Rights movements, and then proceed to the display area.  I notice a tall, African American man in uniform peering into a glass case.  They have what looks like the original wallpaper hanging.  As he looks into what was Dr. Martin Luther King’s room he puts his hands behind his back.  Barely touching the wallpaper with the tips of his fingers as if he does not want to be noticed.  I get the chills and walk on.  If you ever have the chance to see this museum, I highly suggest going.  The feelings that wash over you, as you read and see and touch are powerful yet indescribable.  We exit quietly and solemnly. 

Our directions take us through the back streets towards my friend’s house.  We decide to be clichés and listen to the “Elizabethtown” soundtrack during our final leg.  The yards are large, the fences are sparse and the roads are narrow.  It seems as though raindrops have just kissed the trees and foliage.  Everything is glowing.  We inch closer and get Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” blasting so loud my dear friend, Kori can hear from inside her house. 

We arrive and linger in our success from driving 40 hours.  There are hugs all around and sigh of relief.  “Bathroom,” I say.  Kori has two large mattresses in the middle of her living room.  The house is cozy and welcoming.  We share the stories of our travels and insist Vicky sleep in the house.

I am 25 and I just drove from Sacramento, CA to Oak Grove, KY with two amazing girls.  We will share this experience for the rest of our lives.