Memphis Tennessee

For twenty five years St. Louis had the Arch and Memphis had an inferiority complex. The Memphis Pyramid took care of that problem. The Pyramid serves as a sports and entertainment complex. It's right on the riverfront where the interstate highway bridge enters the city. It makes for a spectacular introduction to the city.

Here's another view of the pyramid with the highway exit ramp in front of it. This photo was taken from above the marina on Mud Island.

This statue of The King shares space with a similar statue of BB King in the Memphis visitors center on Mud Island..

A view looking down Beale Street.

My favorite thing in Memphis after the River Walk is the downtown trolleys. Memphis has installed a loop system using vintage refurbished electric trolleys. You can ride all around downtown for just a quarter. When you visit downtown Memphis, park the car and get on the trolley -- its great. You other cities with decaying downtowns take note!

The Memphis Belle, famous bomber from WWII, is on display on Mud Island.

The Delta Queen making a stop in Memphis.

A typical Memphis lower middle class neighborhood.

The old rich.

The new rich.

Like any large city Memphis has its share of large industry.

Just south of Memphis is a Native American Mississippian site know as Chucalissa. It was developed and is maintained by the University of Memphis Anthropology Department. It's one of the better Mississippian sites on the river.

A display at the Chucalissa site.

A Civil War ironclad model at the Memphis river museum.

Isaac enjoying a sculpture by Antoine Poncet in the gardens at the Dixon House.

A section of the River Walk model on Mud Island.