Enjoyed a relaxing sleep-in; well deserved after the early start yesterday. We still had the morning to explore Memphis, so made our first stop just before 11am @ the famous " Hotel Peabody", to see both the epitome of Southern hospitality & luxury & their famous "Ducks".
The "Peabody" was built in 1869 by Colonel Robert C Brinkley during the turbulent reconstruction era - The period (1865–1877) during which the states that had seceded to the Confederacy were controlled by the federal government before being readmitted to the Union. Just prior to its opening, Brinkley learned of the recent death of his good friend, philanthropist George Peabody. In his friend's memory, Brinkley named the new 425 room hotel "Hotel Peabody".
As famous as the hotel are its "Ducks". The tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Ducks began in 1932. Peabody General Manager Frank Schutt, an avid sportsman, and a friend Chip Barwick, returned empty-handed from weekend hunting trip in Arkansas. The two friends had a bit too much Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and decided to play a prank and put their live duck decoys (which were legal at the time) in the fountain in the hotel's Grand Lobby.
Three English call ducks were placed in the fountain, and the reaction from hotel guests was nothing short of enthusiastic. Soon, five North American Mallard ducks would replace the original ducks.
Today, the ducks are housed in the "Duck Palace" on the hotel roof. Every day at 11 a.m., they are led by the Duck master down the elevator to the Italian travertine marble fountain in the Peabody Grand Lobby. A red carpet is unrolled and the ducks march through crowds of admiring spectators to the tune of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March. The ceremony is reversed at 5 p.m., when the ducks retire for the evening to their palace on the roof of the hotel.
The viewing spots around the fountain were well filled by the time we arrived , but we managed some well positioned spots over looking the performance to see this amazing possession & get some great photos - Very cute indeed & Bonnie & Bella would have loved chasing them...
The Peabody's famed ambassadors are five Mallard ducks – one drake with his white collar and green head, and four hens with less colorful plumage. The ducks are raised by a local farmer and a friend of the hotel. Each team lives in the hotel for only three months before being retired from their Peabody duties and returned to the farm to live out the remainder of their days as wild ducks. Very cute indeed.
A taxi then transferred us to "The National Civil Rights Museum", which is located @ the "Lorraine Hotel", the site of the assignation of Martin Luther King in 1968 - was closed, but we got some historical location photos.
We then returned to our hotel, collected our bags & headed to the airport. The flight stopped in Dallas/Fort Worth airport in Texas for a couple of hours - time enough for a Mango Margarita & a haircut - Which was certainly needed after 3 weeks of growing - felt like Bob Marley...
Arrived in New Orleans around 4pm & an 1hr later were in our hotel - the "Omni Royal Orleans" for 3 exciting nights in the vibrant city, almost wiped off the map a couple of years ago.
The hotel sits on the sight of the old "St Louis (Exchange) Hotel built in 1836 & is situated @ 621 St Louis St. The "St Louis Hotel" was the inaugural spot of the famed "free lunch". The custom was established in the main bar of the hotel because the management surmised that nourishment was needed by the noon-time drinkers of the city. So lunch was provided free to all patrons who bought atleast 1 drink.
1915 saw the "St Louis Hotel" destroyed by a hurricane, but it wasn't until 1960 that the "Royal Orleans Hotel" opened her doors, where the "St Louis" had reigned, bringing back the grandeur & dignity of that famous landmark.
Recently fully renovated & renamed the "Omni Royal Orleans", it sits smack-bang in the middle of the French Quarter,1 minute from the famous "Bourbon St", where a delightful Creole dinner was consumed with a drink or 3 to get into the spirit of this party location. Promises to be a fun-packed 3 days.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment