This also required us to go though southeastern Missouri and northern Arkansas, AKA...ANGRY BILLBOARD COUNTRY. If seeing a Waffle House every other exit wasn't enough indication that we were getting closer to the Mason-Dixon Line, the enormous billboards proclaiming why and how I shouldn't vote for a certain incumbent president sure told me. Particularly, one interesting billboard with two adorable little kids pleading to their grandparents on a paddle boat to vote for Romney/Ryan. But thats a different blog.
The mood quickly shifted upwards when we came across another billboard for "The Hushpuppy Saloon". And then to find out it was a gentlemen's club. What a treat.
As we headed more south, we entered the little foot that southeast Missouri has (gets your maps out!) and I quickly began to question why Missouri wanted to this land in the first place.
Completely exhausted with political/religious/and pro-life billboards, we entered the republic of Arkansas, only to be greeted with quite possibly the most astonishing lightning storm I've ever seen in my entire life.
Touche Arkansas! God means business here.
You can thank @gentrypwange for that photo btw. His 2013 weather calendar is this holiday's must-have stocking stuffer.
So continuing into the abyss that is this state, we were greeted with torrential downpours and THIS:
So after losing complete control of my bowels, and getting no help from most likely the only middle-eastern person in this state, we decided to GET THE HELL OUT.
BUENOS DIOS MEMPHIS!!
The promised land. Right? Right???? Well, not yet. Finally arriving at our hotel, we were greeted with that true american Southern hospitality: CITY-WIDE TORNADO SIRENS!! Fearing for my entire life and Sean's, we coup up in our (9th story) hotel room huddled around the tv watching an episode of Full House. (It was the one where Uncle Jessie becomes a pop icon in Japan and it all goes RIGHT to his head). Not sure what we would have done without that. So many lessons learned.
So, storms still going strong outside, we realize WE CAME HERE FOR A REASON. To EAT and DRINK. Enough of this pussy-footing. In a sheer downpour we left our hotel and walked to our first planned destination. The one and only Charlie Vergo's Rendez-Vous BBQ.
Already in love with the outside of this place, we walk in and immediately become ashamed of ourselves because this place is PACKED. And packed with people who DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT A TORNADO WARNING. 100 points awarded to the House of Memphis!
So we each order this:
Thats a full slab of Memphis BBQ pork ribs y'all. And everything else Jesus wants you to eat with BBQ. I'm telling you RIGHT now. This was hands down the BEST ribs either of us has ever had. EVER. It was a traditional dry rub (snicker snicker) and I married it. You could've pulled the bones apart with your toes (I did). One of the most sensational meals I remember having, and in truly one of the coolest places I've ever been.
If this isnt America:
Well, stomachs full and obligatory picture taken by annoyed locals:
We head to only place one thinks of when you think of Memphis:
BEALE STREET!!!
And I can't apologize enough to this city for being so late to the party but mother of god, THIS STREET IS THE BEST. Keep in mind this is a Wednesday night with a tornado warning and every bar on this street was packed, in full swing, and had live music BLARING. We're in Heaven. Beale Street is by no means a hidden American gem, but for some reason it still maintains that under the radar/we don't care what anyone else is doing feeling. And we were completely buying what they were selling. Then...BOOM!
We come across the three most important words in Memphis:
Thats what we like to call a game changer. 1,000 points awarded to Memphis!!! Our love for this city is in full affect.
Every bar had better music than the next and better drinks than the one you just came from. Thats a city you WANT. We drank a little of that and listening to alot of this:
And finally made it back to the hotel. PHEW.
Day #1 is in the books y'all! We're exhausted, drunk, and ready for an even BIGGER day tomorrow.
And trust me, today is NOTHING compared to whats on tap for Day #2. Updates galore!!
BYE NOW!
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