The US of A 🇺🇲

A 42-day adventure by Greg Read more

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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Graceland Meditation Garden
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
To one side of the house lies the meditation garden. This is where Elvis is buried alongside all of his ascendants and stillborn brother.
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Around Graceland
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Also around Graceland is the Welcome to Graceland sign and two of Elvis' private jets!
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Random Spots in Memphis
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
So, from Graceland I headed into town (this time refusing to walk and waiting an hour for the bus, don't worry I had a bench, some shade and my Kindle), so here's a few random stops.

First up the university, then Sun Records, where Elvis and many others recorded their music in Memphis. The arena in the distance and closer by the baseball and 'soccer' ground. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame and an Elvis statue!Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Beale Street and Beyond
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
"I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale". What Marc Cohn meant by this I'm not quite sure but next up was Memphis' strip on Beale Street. Not particularly lively on an early Monday afternoon but I can see it's got potential.

Close by is the Orpheum Theatre with gold stars lining the floor outside and then I headed up MLK Jr Avenue towards a nice part of town.Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Lorraine Motel
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
The Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King's assassination on the balcony outside of room 306. The hotel now serves as the National Civil Rights Museum. It's well kept with a few lovely tributes.Read more
Traveler😢a very fitting tribute ❤️
8/6/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Walking in Memphis
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
As I reached the outskirts of the centre of town I headed down to the park on the riverfront. At this point is was absolutely baking so I kept taking breaks in the shade every few minutes for my own sanity. I then began to cross the bridge over the Mississippi River and into Arkansas.Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
The View From Arkansas
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
So by crossing the bridge I can say I've crossed the 4th longest river in the world and also visited another state, albeit only for a few moments!
TravelerBox ✅ ticked x
8/6/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Heading Back Downtown
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
After crossing the bridge the afternoon was getting on so the sun felt much less relentless. I took a lovely stroll back towards town along this raised path between a stunning row of houses and the park/river below. The path ended by turning up Union Avenue, which is where Marc Cohn claims to have seen the ghost of Elvis, no sign of him today.Read more
TravelerYou won't see him in the States, he's still working in a chippy in Wigan I believe. 👍🤣
8/7/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Peabody Hotel Ducks
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
This trip has been full of surreal moments and this was one of them. Within the Peabody Hotel, possibly Memphis' most famous hotel, resides a group of ducks (no idea what you call that). These ducks spend their days in the fountain in the main bar area and by night live on the rooftop.

The ducks are chaperoned between these locations at 11am and 5pm each day by a duckmaster and a red carpet, with literally hundreds of people turning up to watch each time (me included) the ducks take the short walk from the fountain to the elevator.

This madness all started in the 1930's when the drunk General Manager of the time thought it would be funny to put some ducks in the fountain when he stumbled back in from a hunting trip. Almost a hundred years later and the ducks (many times offspring) have never left.Read more
TravelerDUCKMASTER IS A GREAT JOB TITLE. QUACK QUACK 🦆
8/6/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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Fish and Chips
August 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
After putting in 33,000 steps and 319 active minutes today I thought I better treat myself to a fish and chips at the Irish bar over the road. It also happened to be martini Monday so a win win.
Traveler Very nice, mmmm! 👍😀
8/7/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Memphis > Vegas > LA
August 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Today was somewhat of a write off as I flew from Memphis to Vegas to LA. Even though my flight wasn't till 1pm I set off at around 10am for the airport as I don't trust the Memphis public transport. After taking a bus close to the airport I then needed to get an Uber as the airport buses are only once every 2 hours 🤷‍♂️

The flight to Vegas all went smoothly, other than lots of turbulence towards the end which actually made me feel a bit ill. But I had a window seat so all was forgiven! Taxing at the airport gave a great view of the strip, and the same from the airport terminal too whilst I waited for my next flight (if you could see past all of the slot machines).

The second flight went completely smoothly and only took about 40 minutes. In true Miley Cyrus style I can say I've hopped off the plane at LAX! Maybe with a dream but definitely no cardigan, way too hot for that plus my packing cube is bursting at the seams already.Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Arriving in LA!
August 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
I landed in LA just in time to catch the sunset on the bus into town. I then had to take the subway to my hostel which is just a block off of Hollywood Boulevard.

I stepped out of the metro station and the very first star I saw was that of WWE co-founder Vince McMahon. The location of the hostel is brilliant, close to the metro and all of the action but down a quiet and pleasant side street. Time for a rest, especially given the 2 hour time shift!Read more
TravelerWOW. Enjoy celebrity spotting in LA.
8/7/24Reply
TravelerSounds fab. Enjoy LA.
8/7/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Runyon Canyon Park
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
This morning I was up and out before 8am (not intentionally) and I headed up to the park just behind my hostel. It was full of people running and walking their dogs and I can understand why it's such a popular spot!

Incredible views over LA and of the Hollywood sign too. I did a loop of the park before heading back to do some much needed laundry since I only have 6 changes of clothes!Read more
TravelerWe know we can sniff from here! 👍🤣
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Sunset Boulevard
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
After succeeding in mission laundry and being turned away for a haircut I took the bus to nearby Sunset Boulevard. This road is full of swanky hotels and in the hills behind it live starts such as Johnny Depp, Christine Aguilera and Avicii's old apartment is somewhere in the cluster of image 6.

Picture 2 shows the Sunset Towers Hotel where the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra have stayed in the past.

The white apartment block at the back of picture 3 is (I'm almost certain) where I bought an apartment for my GTA V online charachter.Read more
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The Getty
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
My next stop was to take the bus to The Getty, an art gallery with spectacular architecture and even better views over the city!

On the way there I befriend a Dutch guy named Olivier who seemed pretty clued up on his art, so I was able to learn a lot about the various different styles and portraits. The art included work from Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt!Read more
Traveler Just like the crowd trying to get into Prenton Park today or is that get out of Prenton Park? 🤔⚽️ SWA
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Venice Beach and Canals
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Me and Olivier then took the bus all the way down to Venice Beach. It had suddenly gone cloudy and a bit cold but still you can see why the beachcis so famous! We also took a wander down to the nearby canals where we saw a driverless car and also a Wrdnesday 5k run club that had literally hundreds of people taking part setting off in waves. We also stopped for some scrumptious Mexican food!Read more
TravelerThat must be strange to see a driverless car 😲
8/9/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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Santa Monica Beach
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Like something straight out of GTA V, as it grew dark we wandered down the boardwalk towards the world famous Santa Monica pier! There were groups of people all over just doing their think whether that be skateboarding, rollerblading or dancing, it was a nice atmosphere all around.Read more
Traveler Ah, good old Blackpool at night! 👍
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Santa Monica Pier
August 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We finished the day at the Santa Monica Pier. After wandering around the different rides and stalls we decided we'd have a go on the 'West Coaster'. It was good fun to be fair and even waiting in the line watching those before us come and go made for much amusement.

The buses back to Hollywood took about two hours with changes and given the sheer size of LA!Read more
TravelerIt looks great 🎢
8/9/24Reply
TravelerI got the joke Greg, ha! But it does look a fun place to be. 👍
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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Walk of Fame - The Made Up
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
This category goes out simply to charachters that simply aren't real yet have still earned themselves a star.
Traveler 💙💙💙LOVE Donald he’s never been given the recognition he deserves. 👏👏👏x
8/9/24Reply
TravelerTHREE STOOGES WERE REAL PEOPLE !
8/9/24Reply
TravelerI thought The Simpsons where, that's what Greg used to tell me! 🤡
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Morning in LA
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
This morning I started off with a haircut! It went well in my opinion and for $40 it damn well should do.

I then started wandering down Hollywood Boulevard, first up encountering the Chinese theatre, which has the handprints, footprints and signatures from dozens (if not hundreds) of actors and celebrities.

I also passed the Hollywood sign in the distance, a Scientology church and walked all the way up one side of the pavement of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Read more
TravelerVery smart haircut 😁
8/9/24Reply
TravelerIt would cost me fortune to get mine cut, wow! 🤔
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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Walk of Fame - The Bad
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Calling some of these 'the bad' may be a little harsh so maybe 'the funny' would be more appropriate. Donald Trump neighbouring Kevin Spacey has to be my personal favourite.
Traveler Now there's a pair of "expletives" I'd like to walk over, grrrrr! 👎🤬
8/10/24Reply
Traveler Once saw the Harlem Globetrotters in Manchester, can't remember the arena though, Meadowlark Lemon was the big entertainer, a funny man but brilliant basketball player as they all where/are. 👍
8/10/24Reply
Traveler Well in Greg, a finger to the Wrexscum, ha! 👍🤣
8/10/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Hollywood Bowl (By Day)
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
As I headed down the Walk of Fame I made a detour to see the Hollywood Bowl. A very impressive venue even if I couldn't see much of it!
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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Walk of Fame - The Good
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
So I'm going to split the Hollwood Walk of Fame stars into the good (x2), the bad and the made up. Starting off with the good! There are over 2,700 stars and I saw every single one. Even trying to be selective with which ones I took pictures of I still ended up with dozens of pictures.Read more
Traveler Him amongst the stars, they are kidding, ha! 👎🤡
8/10/24Reply
TravelerBut where's the Greg Clayon one? 🤔
8/11/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Downtown LA Pt.1
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
As midday drew close I jumped on the subway into downtown LA, aka the finance district. I did of course pass by the PwC office, the skyscrapers, the market and took a ride on the world's shortest train ride for just 50 cents!Read more
TravelerCHOO CHOO 🚂
8/9/24Reply
TravelerThat’s a grand PWC !!
8/9/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
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The Broad
August 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Whilst downtown I headed into the Broad art gallery. This is my favourite type of art gallery as its full of non-sensical modern art, although it did have a lot of Andy Warhol's.
TravelerLIKE THE BALLOON DOG 🐕
8/9/24Reply
TravelerMy kind of art, fun! 👍
8/10/24Reply
Traveler I have trouble getting onto a normal sized chair, ha! 🤣
8/10/24Reply
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