So I am a week late on this. It actually took me that long to find the photos. It is one of the rare batch of photos that I have not scanned. When I found the envelope with the photos, I went looking for the one that I wanted to share.
In 2002, I was in Memphis to visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As part of the trip, we had the option of doing the tour of Graceland. There was no way I was missing that opportunity. It was the same story for my radio buddy, Phil. We had been doing bad Elvis impressions to each other the whole trip.
When you do the tour, at least back in 2002, you got to a building that is across the street from the mansion itself. You can buy souvenirs and such there and I guess that is where you check in before going over. We walked toward the exit to board our shuttle and I saw these garbage bins. I laughed way to hard at this and I had to take a picture. My buddy, Phil, did the same.
When I stepped off the shuttle, it was surreal. There was the Graceland mansion that I had seen so many times in photos. There was no flash photography allowed, and honestly, the lighting inside made it hard to get good pictures.
It truly was like stepping back in time. The old TV sets, the old kitchen appliances, the furniture, and even the carpeting was so cool to see. The room where he shot out a TV watching Robert Goulet, the Jungle Room, and the room which had the piano he played the night he passed away were right there in front of me. I wish those pictures had turned out better. It was an absolute thrill to see it.
The house was filled with outfits, movie props and posters, and a wall of gold records that seemed to go on forever! It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced. Before you know it, you are walking outside and you are in front of Elvis’ grave. I’ve never met him, yet standing there I was overwhelmed with emotions. I couldn’t explain it to you if I wanted to.
One can only imagine what the upstairs must look like. I would guess it is also a time capsule of the 1970’s. Perhaps one day, they will open it up to the public …
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 
I agree, Keith, it is a special experience.
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i’d love to visit –
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it would be a place I’d like to visit even though I am only a sort of lukewarm fan of Elvis. Like you say, it would be an interesting time capsule
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I hope they open it up to the public one day….now they have a whole museum type place near it…with Elvis’s stuff and many others. I love that house though…it’s cozy…it looks like somewhere you would feel at home.
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