Tag / Tupelo Hardware Store

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Travelling The 50 States – Mississippi

Over my 48 years, I’ve done my fair share of travelling across these United States.  I thought it would be an interesting experiment go look back at those trips to each of the 31 states I have visited (62% isn’t bad, is it?) and see if, and when, I may be returning.  Working in alphabetical order, we continue today with the 20th state to be added to the Union: Mississippi

State: Mississippi
Joined the Union: 1817
Visits: 1

I made my lone visit to the Magnolia State in 2015 as part of an Elvis-themed road trip.

 

During a road trip to see the sights related to the life of Elvis Presley, our group of intrepid travelers arrived in Tupelo, Mississippi on a Sunday night.  The next morning started with a trip to the former Tupelo Hardware Store, a present-day Ace Hardware, where Elvis purchased his first guitar as an 11-year-old in 1946.  From there, we headed to the two-room house where Elvis was born and lived until his family moved to Memphis in search of a better life in 1948.  That site also contained the Assembly of God church, where the Presley clan worshipped while living in Tupelo.  After that. we headed back north, away from Mississippi.

Will I return?  I don’t see any compelling reason for me to touch down in Mississippi a second time.

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Vacation Recap: Tupelo

When we left off last time, our group of intrepid travelers had arrived in Tupelo, Mississippi on a Sunday night after having spent the day in Memphis taking in the Elvis sights, including Graceland and Sun Studios.

birthplace

Monday morning started with a trip to Tupelo Hardware Store, a present day Ace Hardware where a 11 year old Elvis, in 1946, purchased his first guitar.  From there, we headed to the 2 room house where Elvis was born and lived until his family moved to Memphis in search of a better life in 1948.  Also on the site are the Assembly of God church, where the Presley’s worshipped while living in Tupelo.

supermanstatueAfter leaving Mississippi, we headed north towards home, but decided to make a detour towards Metropolis, IL, which has made itself the symbolic home of Superman and, at least according to the travel guide, home to the world’s largest Dippin’ Dots store.  Sadly, the Dippin’ Dots store had closed and was replaced by a gift shop filled with DC merchandise and a cooler in the corner that did supply said Dippin’ Dots.  In the center of town is a giant Superman statue and a museum, which we decided against going through.

After that, it was time to head home.  After a few stops for dinner and gas, we arrived home around 10 PM.  Overall, we visited 5 states, 3 of which were new for Michael.  Now I’m looking forward to my next trip, which, sadly, hasn’t been planned yet.