With apologies to the campy 1970’s band, Mott The Hoople, the above title just jumped at me. Driving clear across Tennessee in one day would ordinarily be wasteful-no Nashville stops, blowing past Jackson and no diversion to Shiloh or to the Land Between the Lakes. Time is getting short, though, for my stated intention is to get back to Prescott, sometime on July 4, rest up and then do a few days of service at a Baha’i camp, west of Flagstaff.
In the meantime, though, a day or so in Grind City has been long overdue. I had contacted a friend in the Nashville area, and she turned out to be busy, so after saying farewell to Laureen and Chuck, and making a snap decision to take lunch at Country Kitchen (cute waitress wanted to go to Memphis with me, but that’s another story), I headed out of Crossville, bypassed Nashville and bore on to Jackson, making a brief refueling stop.
Hostel Memphis is a faith-based center, properly called Pilgrim House, in the midst of Memphis’ hip Cooper-Young neighbourhood, in Midtown. In addition to the hostel, the organization offers separate programs to assist the homeless and needy families. No Memphis residents, save the staff, are allowed to stay in the hostel. Shelters are dispersed, elsewhere throughout the city.
and was permitted to exit here.
This evening was well-spent, on a Cooper-Young walkabout.
In the immediate vicinity of the hostel, there is a food bank, with a cafe for low income people. It would not open until 11, on Monday morning, so I had no chance to visit, with the Museum of Civil Rights being on my itinerary, by then.
The storage unit of Pilgrim House is right next to a playground, so it is dressed up for the occasion.
Walking further, to the corner of Cooper and Young, I found a number of inviting restaurants and chose Young Avenue Deli.
The atmosphere was one of modest young partyers, still all having a great time. I took a table by a window, watching both the antics of a little girl “feeding” her stuffed animal, on the outside patio, and those inside, teasing one another and posturing for people they found attractive. I find it life-affirming, to be among the younger generations, making the world over, as they see fit.
After a satisfying Reuben plate, served by a steel and velvet, tattooed waitress, I strolled further down Cooper Street, finding unique little shops. This little shelter is devoted entirely to the needs of cats.
It is neither safe, nor legal, to climb up the berm to this railroad overpass, but it surely is a joy to see from below.
This mural, across the street from an ice cream parlour that’s attached to Railgarten Diner, is one of several that celebrate Memphis’ diversity. I felt very much at home here, whilst walking and licking away at a double scoop mint chip cone.
That, in a nutshell, is, to me, the whole purpose of traveling as I do: Expanding my feelings of being at home, and of who my family is.
This entry was posted in Community, Family, Personal Values, Spiritual, Travel and tagged Cooper-Young, Country Kitchen, diversity, Grind City, Hostel Memphis, House of Mews, ice cream parlour, Mott The Hoople, murals, Nashville, Pilgrim House, Railgarten Diner, Young Avenue Deli. Bookmark the permalink.
That befits Memphis’ status as the “Birthplace of Rock n’Roll.
I’m always loving your images and the narration that comes with it!
Amazing, exciting and fun! Looks like I need to schedule a road trip!
Go for it! Autumn is actually a nicer travel time, for many people.
Memphis is a fascinating city. So much music history and so much juxtaposition of poverty and wealth. And then the civil rights history. A place to go and be humbled.
I was very humbled, both at the Museum of Civil Rights and on Beale Street.
Gary did you have images? Because I see you had from some of the replies.
But for some reason I can’t see any of them. I just can’t understand why!
Yes, I posted several photos. Check your firewall.
I checked everything. I can see images from other’s, but only yours I cannot see.
I’m sorry about that. I am not sure how to correct a link to one viewer, but suggest you try the link to my Facebook page, if you are still on that medium.
righteousbruin9, thanks a lot for the article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
I’ve been to Memphis a couple of times and I love it!
There is so much to this long-suffering, but resourceful, community.
Yes, I have not been able to explore the whole city, but it is filled with history. The last time I went I enjoyed the mud island museum.
Mud Island would also be on my list for a future visit.