The Day I Went To Graceland

MEMPHIS, TN - I remember back in the 70's when my sister and I would stay up late on the weekends and watch the Friday or Saturday night late movies. In those days there were only 3 major TV stations and no VCR's or DVD players. Ultimately there would always be an Elvis movie rerun. As bad as the acting was, they still remind me of my youth and I get a kick out seeing them from time to time.
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I actually remember the day Elvis died. We lived in a rent house on south Johnson in Enid, Oklahoma and my mom's best friend called to tell my mom that Elvis had died. My mom wasn't home so I got the message, this was before answering machines were in every home. I don't think I really thought that much of it at the time because Elvis had faded from the spotlight for us kids.
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Later in life, as an adult, I made a trek to Graceland on my way to the Atlanta Summer Olympics. Going to Memphis was a little out of the way but I thought it would be pretty cool to go see the Elvis mansion. In your mind you have visions of a huge place surrounded by all kinds of cool things. Upon arriving I was surprised to find that the mansion wasn't all that big and it sat in a very busy, populated area.
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There is a tourist area with restaurant and gift shop set up across the street. That is where you purchase tickets to board a small bus and you are driven through the Graceland gates and dropped off at the front of the home. There are multiple tours going on and each one has a very strict tour guide.
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Much of the home is blocked off and guarded by ropes. You are taken from room to room but cannot get near much of the furnishings. The guide explains what is in each room which is fun to see because they've left all of the rooms exactly like they were when Elvis died. It's like a very 70's time capsule.
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For some reason during the tour I felt the need to find a tiny memento of the King. On the tour there were signs posted about not touching anything and cameras were watching our every step. It wasn't like I could just nab a book or something from his library. I would have taken a light bulb from a lamp if I could have reached one. Everything that could be taken was kept pretty much out of arms reach.
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As the tour began to wind down my urge to find a souvenir was almost out of control. I knew my chances were running out and I would have to leave without a part of Elvis lore and history. That's about the time I saw a glimmer of hope. Something caught my eye that would save the day.
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What I saw was the grooviest, greenest, lushest shag carpet I had ever laid eyes on! It was like there was a mile of it covering the famous Jungle Room. I'll have you know that green is my favorite color and I immediately wanted some of that green shag carpet! Of course there were ropes keeping us away and dozens of people blocking my reach.
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As the tour was about to end and enter the last leg of the home I noticed that the carpet actually went all the way up the walls! Wow! What luck. As the tour exited the jungle room area, I backed up and I plucked one single strand of green shag carpet from one of the jungle room walls. From the looks of the missing areas near my strand I knew I wasn't the only that had pilfered a small part of Elvis memorabilia.
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I left the tour feeling on top of the world. I had a very small part of the Elvis legend and a part of the famous Jungle Room. I still have that strand today and if you feel the need to be close to Elvis, just give me a call and we'll break it out and watch Jail House Rock together.
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(I should point out that the strand of carpet is in the photo next to the stamp.)
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