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