Last day and night in Memphis.

And the sightseeing continued...in my stirrup pants, with tights beneath and my black skirt on top...

Has anyone heard of the Peabody Ducks?  I took some time to visit the Peabody Hotel downtown, and enjoy a few moments watching the ducks which live there as their guests.  They perform a duck walk to the indoor fountain each morning and a return to their quarters each evening, under the direction of the hotel's "Duckmaster." 

Unfortunately, the ducks don't slow down for anyone, and it's tough to get a sharp picture without flash and with an amateur camera...but here is my attempt.  (The Duckmaster - in the red jacket - is following behind his little charges, guiding them toward the elevator.)  It was a fun diversion, and several kids were there too...enjoying the action.

That afternoon I dropped in on the National Civil Rights Museum.   A most interesting destination.  Its many displays helped fill in the gaps in what I remember about the topic from the last half of the 20th Century.   And the museum took over the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot.  A very melancholy visit for sure, but worthwhile.

It was also the first time I have publicly admitted to anyone (specifically the ticket agent) that I was transgender and faced some of the same types of problems, and wanted to learn more about the past.  I'm not sure he had any idea what I was talking about, but he was very pleasant, handed me the ticket, and said "Well, Ma'am if you have any questions, ask one of the attendants."

The infamous Lorraine Motel, as it appears today:

I'm so glad the community saved it from demolition, and made it a part of the museum.  Two antique cars barely visible at the far end of the motel have vintage tags, and are permanent parts of the display.  Too bad the carbodies are beginning to rust...they do need some attention before they rust away!

Come nighttime, I took one last stroll to Beale Street, before catching the train north.  It was beginning to hum - there was more activity than I had previously noted.  And less ice...enough had melted that I didn't feel I had to walk like an Emperor Penguin...very carefully and deliberately. (But it was still COLD!)

Then, it was back toward the hotel,  stopping for a fast-food dinner on the way.  After a quick shower and packing for my departure, it was time to head for the train station.  As cold as it was, I couldn't shed the stirrup pants.   I kept my skirt on for boarding the City of New Orleans, figuring I could always change in the morning if weather improved.   But it didn't....

A quick hotel check out, and a cab ride from the hotel to the train station meant I was on my way....

More later,

Mandy