Memphis

 Our road trip activities and travel time impede my ability to provide as much detail to my entries in the blog as much as I would  like. Therefore I am creating abbreviated placeholders with the intent of finishing them later. This is one of those placeholders.

The current Peabody Hotel first opened its doors in 1925. An early version opened in 1869. Although segregated, Louis Armstrong did perform at the Peabody in 1931. Of note, he dedicated the song I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You to the Memphis Police Department after his arrest one night earlier for the audacity of sitting next to his manager's white wife on a charter bus. Many celebrities have frequented the hotel dating back to Confederate leaders in the hotel's early version.

The hotel remained segregated until its close in 1973 due to financial hardship. After a $25 million major renovation, it reopened integrated in 1981. In addition to its landmark status, it is known for its parading ducks which swim in the fountain in the lobby during the day and march on a red carpet to the elevator which takes them to their night home on the roof.

The duck theme has carried over to manic marketing in the extensive lobby of this luxury hotel. Everything from T-shirts, sweat shirts, $150 canes, rubber duckies, hats, decoys, pillows, and even wine have taken on the duck theme. You will NOT find duck on any of the menus of the fine restaurants at the hotel.

Our view and the hotel photographer view

Birmingham

 Our road trip activities and travel time impede my ability to provide as much detail to my entries in the blog as much as I would  like. Therefore I am creating abbreviated placeholders with the intent of finishing them later. This is one of those placeholders.

On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded under the steps of the 16th Street Baptist Church as Sunday services were about to begin. The congregation was knocked to the ground. Four young girls in the basement died. The investigation by the FBI was put to a stop by J. Edgar Hoover. It would take years before the perpetrators were brought to justice with life imprisonment.

Do not forget their names:

Addie Mae Collins

Denise McNair

Carole Robertson

Cynthia Wesley

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is located on the block across the street from the church and across the street from the statues of the little girls. This was another highlight of our travel. I plan to write more about it later.

The Legacy Museum, Montgomery, Alabama

 There is simply not enough time for our road trip activities while keeping the blog up to date. Therefore I am creating abbreviated placeholders with the intent of finishing them later.

The Legacy Museum consists of multiple sites in Montgomery connected by shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes. The main site is the Museum building. The may by the most poignant part of our Civil Rights trip.

I had taken a few pictures at the sculpture garden before I realized that photography was not allowed. I am planning to add additional images later.

Rosa Parks was arrested for sitting in the Whites only section of a City of Montgomery bus when no seat was available in the back of the bus. 7053 was the booking number at the time of her arrest.