Today we took time before we left Oklahoma City to visit the site of the 1995 Bombing of the downtown Federal Building by Timothy McVeigh.
The plaque above was the first thing we saw when we walked into the bombing site. The photo below was the remaining wall from the bombing - which they kept as it was in tact. The plaque on this wall holds the names of the survivors.
I'm sorry that this photo does not show the intensity of what we saw.... these 'chairs' are memorials for each of the victims of the bombing. The back and seat of these chairs are beautiful polished brass the bottoms were made of plexiglass which were engraved with each victims names. The plexiglass bottoms light up at night. The smaller chairs were for the 19 children victims. 
These walls are in a building that is across the street from the bombing site. Windows were blown out and sides of the buildings were blown away.... 3 people perished in this building across the street! The photo below is a message that the rescue workers painted on this wall as they rescued victims from the bomb site.
There was so much to see in Memphis - and we didn't realize how comprehensive the Elvis Tour would be. It was really worth the $34 tour pkg we took. The entire tour took almost 3 hrs.
Once inside Graceland - the first floor rooms we saw were the Living Room - beautiful stained glass and several (3) pianos; the Dining Room which was rarely used and Elvis' Parent's bedroom.
After viewing the Lv. Room, Dining Rm, and the Parent's bedroom - we waked downstairs to view the Jungle Room, TV Room and Playroom/Poolroom.
Elvis had 3 TV's on different channels constantly going - wanting to stay on top of news and current events. Note the mirrored ceiling - and how about that creepy monkey on the coffee table.....
Elvis loved toys - and most of all he loved cars - One of the museums we saw was devoted to his cars - beautiful antique cars from his Pink Cadillac for his mom - a White Mercedes Coupe for Priscilla and lots of beautiful Autos that he drove on occasion. 
Midway between Nashville and Memphis is Arrington, Tenn. Where we found a Winery that is partly owned by Kit Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn CW singers) So of course we had to drop in to sample his wines. 
Once inside - we decided to split our tastings - I tasted 4 whites and Cheryl tasted 4 reds. We ended up buying a great Rasberry Desert wine that will go great with some semi-sweet chocolate and fresh rasberries. And 2 great white wines - a Viongnier and a second white with a blend of 6 grapes.
We arrived in Memphis just in time for dinner. So decided - since we're in Tenn. we should get BBQ and we found a restaurant that received tons of trophies for thier BBQ.... and they provide a free limo service to and from the restaurant - by Pink Cadillac - so off we went for the best Ribs in Memphis....
Here's the inside of Marlowe's. As with everything here in Memphis - it's saturated with Elvis stuff. Great fun and great food. This restaurant was reviewed by one of the Cooking Channel's famous reviewers - Diners - Dives - Drive-ins - Guy (with the bleach blond spiked hair)... the ribs just fell off the bone...and per CP - best Beans she's ever tasted.
Elvis is in Nashville (ha-ha)...Even though Cheryl is not a great Country Western Music fan - she enjoyed visiting all the highlights that we could see in Nashville.
Downtown Nashville is loaded with little Honky Tonk Bars with Country Western singers hoping to get discovered. This gal was singing her heart out as all do for only tips - the acts change every hour and singers and musicians go from bar to bar singing for tips and doing what they love..... kinda sad knowing there are so many talented people but only few make it in the industry.
A visit to Nashville, Tenn. is not complete without a visit to the Grand Ol Opry. The original Grand Ol Opry used to be a church and the exterior and most of the interior still shows this architecture.
We ended the day with a visit to the CW Hall of Fame where they were having 2 great traveling exhibits. This one on the life and music of Tammy Wynette and another on the life and music of Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr. 
Last night we spent the night at the Holiday Lake State Park in Appotomax, Virginia.
Today we went to Appotomax, VA. This is where the last battle was fought in the Civil War and where General Lee surrended to General Grant.
While driving through West Virginia we found many crosses that were 3 stories high or taller - some alone - some in groups of 3. And on the radio there was only country western music or Christian music..... not unusual to see and hear lots of Jesus in the southern states - you should see theBillboards - didn't stop to take photos - these are drive by shootings..... we didn't stop except for bathroom breaks and lunch today. Spending the next 3 days in Nahsville, Tenn....
Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains yeild great wines - sooo there are lots of vinyars in the Charlottesville, VA area. So we spent the day Tuesday visiting a couple of wineries and bought a few bottles. Unfortunately none of these wines will make it home to Newburyport as I am sure we will drink them all this winter in Arizona.
This is how the sampling is given.
